As Deutsche Welle reports, citing data from the German National Association for Student Affairs, an average student in Germany spends 918 euros per month on living. The lion's share of expenses is rent (on average 323 euros). The other two largest items are food (168 euros) and clothing (42 euros). Most are supported by parents: they receive about 540 euros per month from them. But two-thirds of university students have to work part-time.
The working week is on average 13 hours. Students with citizenship of an EU country can work in Germany as much as German students: a maximum of 20 hours per week during the academic term and up to 40 hours per week during holidays. Students from other countries must comply with a number of rules.
Foreign students and labor math
The main condition is that a non-EU student can work 120 full days, i.e., 8 hours each, or 240 half-days (4-hour shifts) per year. Those who want to work more must obtain permission from the Federal Employment Agency and the Foreigners' Office. Getting it is, frankly, difficult – the decision depends on the labor market situation in the specific region.
According to statistics, students earn an average of 385 euros per month. But there are no general restrictions on the amount of earnings. Many take jobs under the Minijob tariff (or geringfügige Beschäftigung), i.e., for a minimum wage – up to 450 euros per month. This type of employment was introduced to involve the unemployed in work, but students often use this opportunity.
In this case, income is tax-free, the student does not make insurance contributions for unemployment and long-term care, and pays only part of the health insurance contribution. Several such part-time jobs can be held simultaneously, but earnings are summed up, and if they exceed 450 euros per month, the exemption from taxes and social contributions no longer applies.
Short-term part-time work, for example during holidays, is also tax-free. The main thing is that the duration of employment (by law, a maximum of three months or 70 days per year) must be initially specified in the contract, or it must be obvious from the nature of the activity. The amount of earnings in this case is not limited. Such part-time work can be combined with a Minijob.
Student part-time work: other opportunities
At an enterprise, it is possible to get a job as a Werkstudent – "student employed in production." Such vacancies can be found on the websites of large corporations, factories, and plants (e.g., Daimler, Bayer, Deutsche Bahn). In this case, earnings are somewhat higher than 450 euros per month, the student saves on insurance contributions but makes contributions to the pension fund.
Another opportunity is working as a research assistant (Studentische Hilfskraft or Hiwi) at a university, research organization, or student committee (AStA). The 120-day limit does not apply to such part-time work – the number of working days is set by the university itself.
Many employers offer work under a tax card (Lohnsteuerkarte). To do this, you should obtain a tax identification number (Steuer-ID) from the tax office (Finanzamt). With an annual income of less than 9,168 euros, a student can get the taxes paid back by filing a tax return (Einkommensteuererklärung) by the middle of the following year.
Internships, scholarships, language courses
Those wishing to do an internship during their studies should know one more rule: an internship that is part of the university's curriculum and mandatory is not deducted from the precious pool of working days. However, an internship taken on one's own initiative counts as work.
Different rules apply to students who receive a scholarship. Scholarship holders of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), for example, can earn no more than 450 euros per month in addition. Otherwise, the surplus will be deducted from the amount provided by the scholarship fund.
For students of language courses or a preparatory college (Studienkolleg), restrictions are stricter. They can only work part-time with permission from the employment agency and only during holidays. The same applies to a student's self-employment. It can be carried out with permission from the Foreigners' Office.
Where can a student find a part-time job
Job offers for students can be found on bulletin boards at universities, as well as in newspapers and on job search portals. You can also bookmark the website of the Federal Employment Agency, which regularly publishes new vacancies. Information about Minijob part-time work is posted on the website Haushaltsjob-Boerse.de.