You came to Germany from abroad to study or take a German course? Would you like to earn some money on the side to cover your costs or treat yourself to something? Then you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, you’ll find out what opportunities there are to work as a foreign student or language pupil in Germany, what requirements you have to fulfil and what you should look out for.
Who is allowed to work in Germany?
Whether and how much you are allowed to work in Germany as a foreign student or language pupil depends on your nationality, your residence status and the type of degree programme or German course you are taking.
EU citizens
If you come from an EU member state, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you have the same rights as German students. This means you can work in Germany without restrictions as long as you register properly and pay taxes and social security contributions.</p
Non-EU citizens
If you come from another country, stricter rules apply to you. You need a valid residence permit, which grants you a work permit. You are also only allowed to work a certain number of hours per year. The exact number depends on whether or not you are enrolled at a state or state-recognised university.
Students at state or state-recognised universities
If you are enrolled at a state or state-recognised university, you are allowed to work up to 120 full days or 240 half days per year. This applies to both mini-jobs (up to 520 euros per month) and regular jobs. If you want to work more, you need the approval of the immigration authority and the employment agency.</p
Students at private universities or language students
If you are studying at a private university or attending a German course, you are only allowed to work during the semester break. This means you can work a maximum of 90 full days or 180 half days per year. Here too, you need the approval of the immigration authority and the employment agency if you want to work more.</p
What jobs are there for foreign students and language students?
There are many different jobs that you can do as a foreign student or language student in Germany. The choice of course depends on your qualifications, language skills and interests. Here are some examples:
Jobs at the university
One popular option is to work at your own university. This could be as a student assistant on a research project, as a tutor or mentor for other students or as a member of staff in the library or canteen. The advantage is that you don’t have to travel far, can organise your working hours flexibly and often have good contact with your professors. In addition, these jobs do not count towards the 120 or 90 days per year that you are otherwise allowed to work.
Jobs in companies
Another option is to work in a company. This could be as an intern, working student or temp, for example. The advantage is that you can gain valuable work experience and apply your expertise. You can also often earn a good salary and make contacts for your future career. The disadvantage is that you usually need a good command of German and English and have to stick to fixed working hours.
Jobs in language schools
Another option is to work in a language school. This could be as a language teacher, translator or customer advisor, for example. The advantage is that you can use your native language or another foreign language and often have to deal with people from different cultures. You can also improve your teaching skills and have fun at work.
What should you look out for when working in Germany?
If you want to work in Germany as a foreign student or language pupil, there are a few things you should bear in mind to avoid problems. Here are some tips:
- Find out about the legal conditions beforehand and apply for a work permit at the immigration office if necessary.
- Register for social insurance and pay the relevant contributions for health, pension, long-term care and unemployment insurance.
- Make sure that you do not work more than 20 hours a week if you are still enrolled. Otherwise you will lose your student status and have to pay more tax and social security contributions.
- Draw up a written employment contract with your employer and stick to the agreed conditions. Have your working hours and salary confirmed in writing.
- Complete a tax return at the end of the year and apply for a refund of any overpaid taxes.
Don’t forget that your main goal is to study or take a German course. Don’t let yourself be distracted or overwhelmed by work.
Conclusion
Working as a foreign student or language student in Germany can have many advantages. You can supplement your income, improve your language skills, gain new experiences and plan your future. However, you also need to follow a few rules and be well organised so that you don’t neglect your studies or your German course. If you manage to do this, nothing will stand in your way of being successful in Germany.
We hope you enjoyed this blog post and found it helpful. If you have any questions or suggestions, please write us a comment. We look forward to your feedback. See you next time! 😊
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