Financing for International Students
In Germany, it is normal to work while studying and many students have a part-time job. Even as a foreign student, you are generally allowed to have an occupation or a part-time job during your studies and thus earn some extra money.
There are many ways to find a part-time job:
Students can get free support in creating a meaningful application from the university's Career Service!
However, the pursuit of employment or a part-time job depends on your legal status in Germany. More information on employment alongside your studies according to your specific status can be found below:
Students with a residence permit for study purposes according to §16b from non-EU member states are allowed to work 120 full days or alternatively 240 half days in one year. Full days are counted as 8 working hours per day and half days are counted as 4 hours per day. Each:student must be able to prove that he/she has not worked beyond this legal limit and may be required to submit proof to the immigration office. Therefore, the following should be recorded (in writing) for all forms of paid employment:
They are allowed to work more hours, but they are obliged to inform the Aliens' Registration Office!
Important: The 120/240 day rule also applies to voluntary (even unpaid) internships!
Any activity that exceeds the 120 full days or 240 half days per year requires a work permit. This work permit can only be issued by the Foreigners' Registration Office for a specific job offer.
Students from non-EU countries with another residence title please pay attention to the information in your residence document and inform yourself at the responsible foreigners authority.
Students from EU member states (as well as the EEA and Switzerland) are subject to the same regulations as Germans. During the lecture period, they may not work more than 20 hours per week. The 20-hour limit may be exceeded during the lecture period if the work is "short-term employment," i.e., does not exceed two months or is limited to 50 working days per year. During semester breaks, the weekly working time is unlimited.
Whether and under what conditions you can work depends largely on your residence status. Therefore, please pay attention to the information in your residence document and inform yourself at the responsible foreigners authority.
