Job rules for the EU, EEA, and Swiss students:
All the students that belong to the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland are treated the same as German students. They are permitted to work in Germany without any limitations. These students can freely do part-time jobs in Germany.
Job rules for non-EU students:
Non-EU students are only allowed to work 120 full or 240 half days in Germany. Another restriction is they cannot work more than 20 hours a week while studying. And, they cannot work higher than 40 hours a week during the semester break.
Non-EU students get a work permit along with residence permits for part-time jobs. The limit of 120 full and 240 half days is always stated on this work permit. Without this work permit, Non-EU students are not allowed to do any kind of job.
Mini-jobs, part-time and full-time jobs:
German companies typically offer work to students as a part-time or mini job. A mini-job is a part-time job with a specific limit. A mini jobber can earn up to 450 euros of tax-free income. If one makes more than 450 euros, then it is necessary to pay the tax. Mini jobber gets typically 47 hours of work per month. With this ratio of hours, a student can work for the whole year to consume 120 days.
Students can earn more than 450 € by doing a part-time (offered with no limit of earning) or full-time job. But this part-time or full-time job will end once you finish your 120 full days. It is not possible to do these jobs a whole year like mini-jobs.
Which jobs are not counted in 120 days?
Suppose a student works as a research assistant at a university. Then this job will not be counted in 120 days. A mandatory internship is also not counted in 120 days. But voluntary internship counted in 120 days limit.
Part-time job rules for the language course and Studienkolleg students:
Work rules for the language courses and Studienkolleg students are different. They are only allowed to work with the Foreigners Office’s permission (Ausländerbehörde) and only during the study break. So, to do a part-time job as a language or Studienkolleg student, it is necessary to get permission from the Foreigners Office.
How can I find a part-time job in Germany?
The best platforms to find part-time or mini-job are the following:
- eBay Kleinanzeigen
- Indeed
How students can file a tax return in Germany?
FAQs about part-time jobs in Germany:
In reality, one type of students do part-time jobs and earn 600 to 700 euros per month. They also pay income tax on this amount.
The second type of student only does mini-jobs the whole year and earns 450 euros per month.
The third type of student does full-time, seasonal jobs one time a year. Big companies offer these seasonal jobs for 3 to 4 months. Students can earn around 5000 to 6000 euros with these jobs. Earnings depend on which company you are doing a seasonal job. Because some pay less and some pay more.
A full day means 8 hours of work in a day. Half-day means 4 hours of work in a day. 120 means; a student can work 4 months with 8 hours of work per day. 240 means; a student can work 8 months with 4 hours of work per day.
A mini-job is a minor job with a specific earning limit as per law. The tax-free earning limit for a mini job is 450€.
There are two types of mini-jobs. One is limited to a specific earnings limit, and the second is limited to a particular time limit. For example, if a company gives work with an earning limit of 450 euros. It’s a mini job with earning limits.
Suppose a company offers 12 hours of work per week and allows earning more than 450 euros. It’s a mini job with a time limit. In this mini-job type, companies pay 450 euros each month and pay other amounts in the next months.
The tax-free earning limit is 450 euros per month for students.
Many big companies like Volkswagen, Daimler, and Amazon offer seasonal jobs for students in summer and winter breaks in Germany. These jobs are called seasonal jobs. Their duration lasts from one month to 3 months.
Students can earn from 5000 to 6000 euros in total with seasonal jobs. But they have to pay tax and social payments the same as an average German citizen is paying. The good news is that; students can take paid tax back at the end of the year.
Suppose students earn less than 8,130 euros in a year. Then they can get all the taxes back at the end of the year by submitting an income tax return in the tax office. No tax return on earnings above 8,130 euros. That’s why the students don’t try to exceed this limit.
Students can file a tax return in the Finanzamt (Finance department) that belongs to their residence.
Students can file tax returns of the previous year in the next year till the 31st of May. For example, for the year 2017, one can file a tax return in 2018 till 31st of May 2018.
Yes, students need public health insurance for seasonal jobs.
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