Key takeaways
  • International students can work 140 full days or 280 half days a year.
  • During lectures, more than 20 hours a week usually ends your student status for insurance.
  • In 2026 a mini job can pay up to €603 a month without tax for you.
  • A working student job in your field is the best bridge to your first full time job.

When I studied in Berlin, my side jobs paid the rent, but the one that mattered for my career was the job in my own field. Here are the rules, and how to use them well.

How much you can work

Yearly limit140 full days or 280 half days
Jobs at your universityStudent assistant jobs are treated separately
Insurance ruleUp to 20 hours a week during lectures
Mini job limit 2026€603 a month

The yearly limit comes from §16b of the Residence Act, which was raised in 2024. A half day means up to four hours of work. If you work more than that on a day, it counts as a full day.

The 20 hour rule

During the lecture period, working more than 20 hours a week usually means you are no longer treated as a student for health and pension insurance, and contributions go up. In semester breaks, you can work more.

Types of jobs

  • Working student (Werkstudent): a part time job in a company, often in your field. See my Werkstudent guide.
  • Mini job: up to the monthly mini job limit, which follows the minimum wage. In 2026 it is €603 a month.
  • Student assistant (HiWi): work at your university, often research or teaching support.
  • Internships: compulsory internships that are part of your programme don't count toward the limit.

Turn a side job into a career

  1. Prefer jobs in your field. A Werkstudent job in data, engineering or marketing is worth more than extra hours in a warehouse.
  2. Ask for a reference letter. A good Arbeitszeugnis helps your first full time application.
  3. Talk about staying. Many companies hire their working students after graduation. Ask about it six months before you finish.

Common questions

Do I pay tax on my student job?

If you earn more than the yearly tax free allowance, tax is deducted, but you can often get some back with a tax return.

Can I freelance as a student?

Self employment needs permission from the immigration office. Ask before you start.

Does the limit apply to EU students?

No. EU and EEA students can work like German students, but the 20 hour insurance rule still applies.

Free PDF: Students in Germany: Werkstudent to first jobDownload it free in under a minute, or send STUDENT to @swapnil_in_germany on Instagram.

Sources

Written by Swapnil (Samadhan Mule)

I moved to Germany for my master's, collected more than 1,000 rejections, and then got multiple job offers within six months. I work in digital marketing in Germany and help international professionals get hired in Europe. Read my story.