Part-Time Jobs in Germany for International Students: Benefits and Opportunities

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Apr 17, 2023 07:15 AM

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There is a high influx of students seeking overseas education nowadays to get the best education possible, gain global exposure and experience different cultures. As of 2019, more than 6 million international students were studying abroad. Germany itself has over 400,000 overseas students enrolled in various programs at German universities. While studying abroad has many perks, the cost incurred to live and study in a country like Germany is relatively high. However, there are plenty of options for part-time jobs in Germany for international students. Part-time jobs help students save up and manage their finances, taking the burden off education loans and day-to-day expenses.

Advantages of Working in Part-Time Jobs in Germany

Source: Zippy Writers

There are many advantages of working while studying abroad. Here are some of the main perks of having part-time jobs in Germany for international students.

1. Improve your Skills

Part-time jobs will help you improve your knowledge, interpersonal skills, communication skills, time management, competence to carry out a task, and ability to learn and grow. The everyday interaction and communication with your colleagues, customers, and managers will also enhance your confidence level. You will become confident and competent to work with Germans and people from other cultural backgrounds. Work experience will improve your overall skills that will be helpful when you start your career after graduation.

2. Earn Extra Money

The primary benefit of having a job is the money that comes with it. Germany has strict minimum wage law that requires employers to pay a minimum of 9.60 euros an hour, irrespective of the job type. On average, students earn between 10 to 15 euros an hour and a minimum of 450 euros a month. This amount is a substantial sum you can use for day-to-day expenses, keep aside as savings or even pay off your education loan. The money you save up will be an added financial security to fall back on in times of need.

3. Experience Work Culture

Part-time jobs will provide you with an opportunity to experience German work culture, rules, regulations, and ethics followed at work. German work culture is different from other countries, and you will get to experience that firsthand. You can learn how they interact and communicate with each other and the passion and perfection with which they carry out a simple task. This invaluable experience will certainly come in handy when you pursue your professional career in Germany.

4. Expand your Network

Another major benefit of working in a part-time job is the number of people you will meet and interact with every day. Your colleagues, managers, subordinates, people you meet with when you travel to work, etc., will become familiar with and provide you with an opportunity to expand your network. With more interactions at work, your acquaintance will grow into camaraderie, which is very much required in a foreign nation. You can socialize and bond with your colleagues after work and seek their help for job recommendations when you kick-start your professional career.

5. Learn to Manage Finances

In Germany, if you consistently surpass your monthly student earning of 450 euros, you are required to get an income tax number. A certain amount would be deducted from your salary every month automatically as taxes and pension money. If you earn more than 450 euros, you will learn about taxes, managing taxes, pension insurance, claims, and other technicalities. Irrespective of your earnings, you will still become cautious with spending your money and learn valuable lessons on handling money, budgeting and financial management.

6. Save-Up on your Blocked Account

According to German Law, international students have to block a monthly amount of 861 euros, amounting to 10,332 euros a year in their blocked account. This blocked amount is to prove sufficient funding to support your stay when studying in Germany. If your part-time job takes care of your monthly expenses, you can avoid using this fund and carry it over to the following term.

Type of Part-time Jobs in Germany

Now that we are aware of the advantages of working in part-time jobs, let us look at the type of jobs an international student can find in Germany. We can categories them as on-campus, off-campus and online jobs, which are all equally popular among students.

1. On-Campus Jobs for Students

Source: Employment Alert

There are plenty of job opportunities for students within the university campus. You can find admin and clerical jobs in the Admissions department or HR department of the university. Students can also become academic assistants or research assistants for professors and assist them in their work. Libraries may have vacancies for library assistants, bookkeepers and clerical jobs, which you can find posted on university bulletin boards. Students can also work at university cafes or restaurants as waiters, cafe managers, food service assistants, kitchen assistants, etc. If you are academically sound, you can also tutor fellow students or juniors for a reasonable fee. Below is a list of on-campus part-time jobs you can look for at German universities.

Job Position	Salary Range (EUR)	Working Hours per Week	Notes
Admin Related Jobs	€10 - €15 per hour	20 - 30 hours	Administrative roles may vary in pay.
Academic Assistants	€10 - €20 per hour	10 - 20 hours	Pay can vary based on academic level.
Research Assistants	€12 - €25 per hour	15 - 25 hours	Can vary based on research project.
Library Jobs	€9 - €15 per hour	10 - 20 hours	May involve evening/weekend shifts.
University Cafes Support Staff	€8 - €12 per hour	15 - 25 hours	Service industry roles with hourly pay.
Swimming Instructors	€15 - €25 per hour	Variable hours	Usually part-time or freelance positions.
Note-takers	€10 - €15 per hour	Variable hours	Often a flexible role for disabled students.
Personal Trainers at Gym	€15 - €30 per hour	Variable hours	Fitness trainers usually work part-time.
Student Tutors	€10 - €20 per hour	5 - 15 hours	Pay may vary based on subject and demand.
Campus Newspaper Jobs	€8 - €12 per hour	Variable hours	Often freelance or contract positions.
Mailroom Attendants	€9 - €15 per hour	10 - 20 hours	Administrative roles with hourly pay.

2. Off-Campus Jobs for Students

Germany allows students to do part-time jobs off-campus without the need for a work permit. However, there are restrictions on the number of hours and days students can work outside the campus. The most popular off-campus part-time jobs in Germany are paid internships that are part of your program, which gives you professional work experience and remuneration. Other jobs commonly sought by students are support staff at cafes, restaurants, malls, supermarkets and small companies. Students can also find jobs in gas stations, media and newspaper agencies. These jobs pay a decent hourly wage of 10 to 20 euros, depending on the complexity level. Below is the list of off-campus jobs that you find through online ads, social media, student forums, job sites, university bulletin boards, or even through your network of friends.

Job Position	Salary Range (EUR)	Working Hours per Week	Notes
Paid Internships	€500 - €800 per month	20 - 40 hours	Internship wages can vary by industry.
Industrial Production Assistants	€9 - €15 per hour	20 - 40 hours	Pay may vary based on industry and role.
Support Staff at Cafes & Restaurants	€8 - €12 per hour	15 - 30 hours	Service industry roles with hourly pay.
Supermarket/Mall Jobs	€9 - €15 per hour	20 - 40 hours	Various roles with different pay scales.
Sales & Marketing Jobs	€10 - €20 per hour	20 - 40 hours	Pay can vary based on commission, etc.
Clerical/Admin Jobs	€10 - €18 per hour	20 - 40 hours	Administrative roles with hourly pay.
Gas Station Jobs	€9 - €15 per hour	15 - 30 hours	Service industry roles with hourly pay.
Assistant Jobs at Media/News Agencies	€10 - €18 per hour	20 - 40 hours	Pay can vary based on role and company.

3. Online Jobs for Students

Currently, online jobs are gaining popularity within the student network. With the boom in social media and digital businesses, there are plenty of job opportunities available online. Students can work at their convenient time and place and get paid well. The most common online jobs are social media management, content writing, data entry, digital marketing, web development and jobs in digital-based companies.

Job Position	Salary Range (EUR)	Working Hours per Week	Notes
Social Media	€10 - €20 per hour	15 - 40 hours	Pay can vary based on experience and scope.
Digital Marketing	€12 - €25 per hour	20 - 40 hours	Pay may vary based on campaign performance.
Blog Writing	€8 - €20 per hour	Variable hours	Freelance rates may vary by content type.
Website Content Writing	€10 - €25 per hour	Variable hours	Rates vary based on complexity and research.
Data Entry Jobs	€8 - €15 per hour	15 - 30 hours	Often part-time roles with hourly pay.
Language Translation Jobs	€10 - €25 per hour	Variable hours	Pay varies by language pair and complexity.
Online Sales & Marketing Jobs	€10 - €20 per hour	15 - 40 hours	Commission-based roles may have varying pay.
Web Development	€15 - €40 per hour	20 - 40 hours	Pay can vary based on skills and complexity.

Important Employment Laws & Regulations in Germany

Source: LGM Advisors

It is essential that students are aware of the employment laws defined by the Federal Employment Agency, the German Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. Below listed are the major guidelines to follow while on part-time jobs in Germany:

Legal Limit for Working Hours:

Germany has legal limits to the number of working hours and days. Students are not allowed to work more than 48 hours a week, with average working hours not exceeding 8 hours a day. Also, students are only permitted to work a total of 120 full days or 240 half days annually.

Mandatory Work Permit for Full-Time Employment:

Students cannot take up full-time employment on a student visa. If you wish to work full-time during vacations, you would be required to apply for a work permit from the “Agentur für Arbeit”, the Federal Employment Agency, and The Foreigners’ Authority.

Special Rule for Language Course Students:

International students pursuing language courses are only allowed to work during breaks/holidays and would be required to get permission from the Federal Employment Agency and The Foreigners’ Authority.

Income Tax:

Students can earn up to 450 euros a month without the need to pay taxes. If your employer is paying your wages on a mini-job basis, your earnings will be able to earn 5,400 euros annually. The annual tax exception threshold is 9,000 per year for students. However, if you work more hours and regularly make more than 450 euros a month, you will need to get an income tax number. There will be an automatic deduction of some amount from your account every month, and for students, this will be taxes and pension insurance payments. Students can recover the tax amount at the end of the year by submitting income tax returns.

Complying With Employment Laws:

International students must follow all rules and regulations while studying and working in Germany. If you are found guilty of breaking any employment law, you will be immediately expelled from the country. Hence, it is necessary to understand and follow the rules of the land.

Conclusion

Part-time jobs in Germany are a great option for international students to earn extra money and reduce their financial burden. Though public universities do not charge tuition fees, the cost of living in Germany is relatively high. In this blog, we have talked about the advantages of having part-time jobs, different types of part-time jobs in Germany, and important employment laws and regulations that students need to know. We hope you find the right student job that fulfills your monetary needs and other perks that come with it.

FAQs

Q: Can international students work full-time in Germany?

A: No, international students cannot work full-time in Germany on a student visa. They can only work for a maximum of 120 full days or 240 half days per year. If they want to work full-time during vacations, they need to apply for a work permit.

Q: What is the minimum wage for part-time jobs in Germany?

A: The minimum wage in Germany is 9.60 euros per hour. However, students usually earn between 10 to 15 euros per hour.

Q: Can international students work on-campus in Germany?

A: Yes, there are plenty of on-campus job opportunities available for international students in Germany, such as academic or research assistants, library assistants, administrative staff, and more.

Q: What are the most popular off-campus part-time jobs for international students in Germany?

A: The most popular off-campus part-time jobs for international students in Germany are paid internships, support staff at cafes, restaurants, malls, supermarkets, and small companies, jobs in gas stations, media and newspaper agencies, and more.

Q: How many working hours are allowed per week for international students in Germany?

A: International students in Germany are allowed to work a maximum of 48 hours per week, with average working hours not exceeding 8 hours per day.

Q: What is the annual tax exception threshold for students in Germany?

A: The annual tax exception threshold for students in Germany is 9,000 euros per year. Students can earn up to 450 euros per month tax-free.

Q: Do international students need to pay taxes on their part-time job income in Germany?

A: If students earn more than 450 euros per month, they will need to pay taxes on their part-time job income in Germany. However, if they work on a mini-job basis, their earnings will be able to earn 5,400 euros annually.