How do foreign students work in Germany?
Students in Germany are only allowed to work for 20 hours a week before they are required to pay into the Social Security fund. EU and European Economic Area students have different rules from international students. The number of full days or half days you can work every year is 120 full days or 240 half days (a full day is defined as eight hours). Despite many research and German teaching jobs within universities being unpaid, internships count, even if they are unpaid. A little extra money can be helpful to postgraduate students. If you take a job in research, registering with the Registration Office is a must. You won’t have to worry about having your work deducted from your annual salary.
Student visa holders are subject to these employment rules. The visa may not yet be available to you if you are pursuing a language qualification. You will have fewer employment options in that case, so be sure to save up enough money to support yourself throughout your course. Freelancing and self-employment are also subject to special rules. Students from the EU/EEA are only eligible for these positions. The only option available to you if you do not come from those regions is to find a conventional job.
What is the process of finding work in Germany for foreign students?
After we cover the legalities, we can focus on finding your ideal student job. In order to maximise your chances of finding a job, maximise your options.
Learning about their local neighbourhood can help students find casual work at restaurants, shops, and bars. There is nothing special about German cities. Newspapers and windows are regularly adorned with job ads, while notice boards and notice boards are also excellent places to post your resume. You are welcome to introduce yourself and hand over your updated resume to potential employers if you speak German fluently.
The Internet has made it much easier for students these days to avoid tramping around town due to specialised German student websites. Students can find employment opportunities at stellenmarkt.kstw.de, for instance, in college towns all over the country. To make life easier (and maybe find jobs that might take advantage of your language skills), you can even toggle the language search to English. The German state operates a huge employment bulletin board called job exchange if that doesn’t work. A simple online application can be created with either of these sites.
German student work types
When first arriving in Germany, many people are unaware of the different types of jobs available. However, they soon discover that German employment is a bit more complicated than they expected. Before looking for a job, it is helpful to understand the different terms used to describe student work, and what these different roles entail.
Is Germany a good place to find student jobs?
You won’t find high-powered jobs that will lead you to a lucrative and fulfilling career. German student employment does not work like that, and very few applicants can find high-paying jobs while studying. In contrast, student work is intended to supplement academic work, making it easier for students to get by during their studies. However, student work doesn’t have to be boring or exploitative. It is possible for applicants to explore a number of good opportunities around them.
