Student work rights in Germany
Rules for working while studying in Germany, including work limits, internships, tax steps and post-study routes where covered by the guide.
Read the complete Germany study abroad guide.
Part-time Jobs
Third-country students with a residence permit for studies may generally work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per calendar year. An alternative calculation allows employment of up to 20 hours per week. Full-time employment can be possible during semester breaks within the student-employment rules. University student-assistant jobs can receive special treatment.
Compulsory internships that are prescribed by the degree do not count toward the 140-day quota; voluntary internships generally do. Keep records across all employers because the allowance is cumulative.
Self-employment or freelancing is not automatically covered by ordinary student work rights and generally requires permission from the competent foreigners authority. EU/EEA/Swiss students have free access to the German labour market, although the same general student social-insurance rules can still matter.
Germany’s statutory minimum wage is EUR 13.90 per hour from January 2026. Minimum-wage exceptions can apply to certain internships, so check the internship category rather than assuming every placement has identical pay rules.
Source: https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/study-vocational-training/studies-in-germany/work
Internships
Internships (Praktikum) are common in German degrees and graduate recruitment. A compulsory internship (Pflichtpraktikum) required by the study regulations is treated differently from a voluntary internship.
For third-country students, compulsory internships required by the degree generally do not count toward the 140-full-day/280-half-day annual employment quota, while voluntary internships generally do. Minimum-wage treatment is also category-dependent: compulsory internships are among the statutory exceptions, while a voluntary internship may be covered by the EUR 13.90/hour 2026 minimum wage unless another legal exception applies, including some short orientation placements.
Before signing, ask the university international office and employer to identify the placement clearly as compulsory or voluntary and to state the duration and pay in writing. Werkstudent jobs are a separate part-time employment model and can be a strong route into a graduate role.
Source: https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/service/newsletter-nr-2-/-2026
Post-study Work
After successfully completing a German university degree, a third-country graduate can obtain a residence permit for up to 18 months to look for qualified employment. During that period, any type of employment is permitted, which can help fund the search. The job-search permit itself is not renewable.
If you already have a qualifying job offer at graduation, you may be able to move directly to the relevant skilled-worker residence permit or EU Blue Card instead of using the job-search period. Once qualified employment is secured, switch residence status before the job-search permit expires.
Graduates of German higher-education institutions also have a facilitated settlement route: under the relevant conditions, a settlement permit can be available after more than two years of qualified employment in Germany. Check the current language, pension-contribution and employment requirements when you approach eligibility.
Source: https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/study-vocational-training/studies-in-germany/prospects-after
Common questions
What should international students know about work in Germany?
Third-country students can generally work 140 full or 280 half days a year, or use the 20-hour weekly calculation.
What should international students know about internships in Germany?
Compulsory and voluntary internships are treated differently for both immigration quotas and minimum wage.
What should international students know about post study in Germany?
Graduates can stay up to 18 months to seek qualified employment and may work in any job while searching.