Student in Germany, more or less, lead such a life where one is often compelled to manage academics with a part-time job, either for covering the living expenses or earning some extra money. While studying in Germany, there are several ways of working beside your studies; however, it is important to learn about some regulations within this context. These regulations may affect how many hours you are allowed to work and still be considered a student and maintain your visa requirements.
The rules are designed so that you can generate enough money to financially support yourself while studying, but make sure that your main priority is your education. Knowing such rules will help you to make decisions on your work/life balance without inadvertently breaking any rules, which may lead to repercussions on your studies or even the right of stay in Germany. Let’s see how many hours you can work as a student in Germany.
Basic Outline: Working as a Student in Germany
As a student in Germany, you are allowed to work along with your studies. But how much is debatable. It is linked to several things: your nationality, the kind of job you do, and whether you are working during the semester or during your vacation.
This is usually one full 120 days or 240 half days in one calendar year for students from countries outside the EU/EEA. It could be put in a sense that a full day would entail an 8-hour working schedule and a half day entailing 4 hours. Whether during the semester or semester breaks, this rule should be noticed. Log hours you work to avoid exceeding these hours.
Understanding the 120/240 Day Rule
Another rule very vital to understand if you are a student in Germany is the 120/240 day rule. It seems to be quite an understandable principle, but serious if you want to keep yourself compliant with the conditions of your visa. As a student not from the EU, you are allowed to work 120 full days or 240 half days per calendar year. That would mean you should have no problem working full-time during semester breaks, while during the semester you will need to dial it back to part-time.
For example, if you decide to work 20 hours a week, which is the maximum amount during the semester, that means you use up your allowance of 240 half days. Of course, when you work during semester breaks, those days count fully; hence, the number of your remaining working days for the rest of the year would be reduced. Another interesting thing to note is that if you were to exceed 120 full days or 240 half days, special permission from the German employment agency and the foreigners’ registration office is required. Without this permission you are exposing your student in Germany visa in case you work above these limits.
Exemptions from the Rule
Even though strict is the rule of the 120/240 day, there are some exceptions. Such exceptions would include working as a student assistant or working as a research assistant for your university-counting those hours to the full 120 days or half of 240 days, respectively. That is because such jobs are really close to your academic activities, and they are treated as such. However, it’s best to check with the international office at your university or your employer to be sure this will not interfere with your status.
For instance, a student in Germany is sometimes allowed to work full-time during semester breaks with no effect on their limit of 120 days. This is a very good time to earn more money as a student or to save money for the next semester when you can look for more valuable work experiences.
Working Without Limits: EU/EEA Student in Germany
If you are a student in Germany and come from an EU or EEA country, then you’re in luck! The rules are also not as strict for you. During the semester, you are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week without limitations. You can also work full time when semester breaks without affecting your status as a student. This freedom enables EU/EEA students to quite easily take part in the workforce and makes it easier to finance their stay in Germany. However, it is not normally recommended to work more than 20 hours per week during the semester because this might affect your studies and your full-time status of student in Germany.
Balancing Work and Studies for Student in Germany
Working in Germany while being a student is quite a good way to take care of oneself and get some good experience, but it should not be allowed to interfere with your studies. You’re here for a reason-to study-and this should always be your number one priority; keeping good academic standing. Overworking will surely result in stress and burnout, which will definitely have a toll on grades and overall academic performance.
Planning your schedule is the key to healthy balance. Ensure that work hours fit around classes and study time. Make time for rest and relaxation, too; this is important for your wellbeing. If you find it difficult to balance work and studying, contact your university student services for advice and support.
Some Important Considerations
Second, and not to be ignored either, is the money one makes while in Germany. It may get one into some form of trouble with the German tax authorities. If one receives more than a specific amount over €9,744 per year, it shall bind one to pay a certain level of taxes. More importantly, if you are working at least 20 hours in a week on a regular basis, you also need to contribute to the German social security system, which includes health insurance, unemployment insurance, and pension schemes.
Before you start your work, learn what your rights and responsibilities as a student employee will be: know the minimum wage you’re entitled to, understand your work contract, know your working hours.
That means you are allowed to work while studying in Germany, but one should notice that there is some regulation concerning this, and you have to take it seriously, especially if you are a student coming from outside the EU/EEA area. How this situation is best maximized will be understanding how the rule of 120/240 days works, using any exceptions you may have, and balancing your work with your studies. That balance will get you academic success but an opportunity to have valuable work experiences and become financially self-sufficient.
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