Student jobs in Germany
A student job can help you gain experience, meet people and earn money alongside university.
Understand the main job types, prepare your applications and check the rules that apply to you. With your university admission letter, you can create a free Germany for Students account and access the student job search alongside your study preparations.
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Job titles describe different arrangements. Compare what the role involves, whether you meet its requirements and how the hours fit your course. The following are common options to consider, rather than a promise that each category has vacancies in the platform.
| Job type | What to know | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Minijob | Employment subject to a statutory earnings limit. | Current earnings rules, expected hours and whether the work fits your residence conditions. |
| Working-student role / Werkstudent | Employment alongside enrolment, often in a company. | Enrolment requirements, duties, weekly hours and social insurance classification. |
| Student assistant / HiWi | A support role at a university or research institution. | Department requirements, language skills and any relevant work-counting rules. |
| Other part-time employment / Teilzeit | A part-time role that may be open to students as well as other applicants. | Working hours, pay and whether student insurance treatment applies. |
| Internship / Praktikum | Practical experience that may be mandatory for your course or voluntary. | Course requirements, duration, pay and the immigration and insurance rules for that specific internship. |
Show your degree programme, relevant skills, experience and language levels. Include projects or coursework if they help explain what you can do.
Be accurate about your status: an admission offer and confirmed enrolment are different stages.
Give a realistic start date and the hours you can work around classes. Consider your move, orientation, exams and travel time.
If you are still abroad, make your expected arrival and earliest possible start date clear.
Explain why your experience or interests fit the work. Follow the employer’s instructions for language, documents and application format.
Useful terms in German job adverts include Werkstudent, studentische Hilfskraft, Minijob, Teilzeit and Praktikum.
An employer may need your identity document, evidence of your right to work and, for some roles, an enrolment certificate. Once hired, payroll may also require your tax identification number, bank details and insurance information.
The exact documents depend on the role and your situation.
Students with a residence permit for study under Section 16b of the Residence Act generally have an annual allowance of 140 full or 280 half working days. Counting options and exceptions apply, including for certain academic student assistant activities.
Check your permit and supplementary conditions before accepting a role. Different rules may apply to other residence routes or preparatory stays.
EU/EEA and Swiss nationals do not fall under this student residence-permit work-day quota.
The commonly mentioned 20-hour rule also matters when assessing working-student treatment for social insurance during the lecture period.
It does not replace the assessment of your immigration work permission. Your employer and health insurer can clarify how your hours, multiple jobs and any exceptions affect your insurance status.
Check the role, gross pay, expected hours, work location, start date and contract terms. Think about how the work will fit your timetable.
If you already have a job, include those hours when checking your total commitments and applicable limits.
Getting a minijob or working-student role does not automatically arrange your ongoing health insurance. Keep your insurance in place and inform your insurer about relevant employment changes.
A future student job is not guaranteed income. Do not assume that an expected job will replace the financial proof required for your visa or residence procedure.
Plan how you will cover your first months while you settle in and look for suitable work.
In your Germany for Students account, you can access the job search alongside your funding options, insurance applications, documents and full study guide.
Your account gives you access to the search. Each vacancy has its own application requirements and hiring process.
Yes. You can research roles and prepare applications before travelling. Tell employers your expected arrival date and confirm your work permission before starting employment.
An admission letter gives you access to Germany for Students. Working-student roles generally require actual enrolment, so check the employer’s requirements and the relevant insurance conditions.
The required language level depends on the employer and role. Read the advert carefully and state your language skills accurately. English-language roles may be an option, but they are not available for every type of work.
Not automatically. Minijob and working-student arrangements generally require you to maintain suitable health insurance separately. The correct treatment depends on your employment and insurance status.
Self-employment has separate requirements. If you hold a student residence permit, check whether approval from the foreigners authority is required before taking on freelance work.
Your account provides access to the student job search. Vacancies, interviews and hiring decisions depend on the employer and the specific opportunity.
Create your free account with your university admission letter. Explore student jobs and keep your funding, insurance, accommodation and enrolment preparations together.
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