Can international students work whilst studying in Germany?

Many students in Germany work part-time around their studies to earn extra money and gain work experience. International students living in Germany on a student visa also have the opportunity to work in addition to studying, although certain restrictions apply.

The rules on how many hours you can work may depend on your nationality and the type of work you will be doing.

Student work rules for third country nationals and EU nationals

Third country nationals residing in Germany on a student visa are permitted to work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per year without requiring the approval of the Federal Employment Agency. A working day of up to four hours counts as a half day.

Alternatively, both third-country students and students from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland may work up to 20 hours per week during the lecture period, just like German students. During the semester break, they can work without any restrictions.

These restrictions do not apply to student sideline activities such as research assistantships at universities, other academic institutions or activities related to studies. They can be exercised for an unlimited period of time.

International students may also complete internships or engage in self-employed activities while at university. However, any self-employed activity requires the approval of the competent foreigners authority. The authority will consider, among other things, whether the work is likely to hinder or delay the student in the pursuit of their academic goals.

According to Section 16b (4) of the Residence Act, international students from third countries are also permitted to work in Germany after or even before graduating, by changing their student residence permit to an employment or vocational training permit.

Working as a skilled worker

Under certain circumstances, a foreign national may accept a job offer as a skilled worker in Germany during their stay as a student.

For this, the individual must change to a residence permit for qualified employment instead. If the special conditions are met, the student does not have to graduate before starting work. However, the employment must not be of a temporary nature. The Foreign Office will decide on each individual application.

Vocational training instead of studying

International students also have the option to switch to vocational training if they feel that their study programme is not suitable for them and they would prefer a more practical approach to training.

To start vocational training, the residence permit must be changed according to the new purpose. A residence permit for vocational education and training requires an assessment by the Federal Employment Agency and the applicant must meet other special requirements, including:

• Providing evidence that the applicant has an in-company or school-based vocational training place.
• Proof of German language proficiency (level B1 of CEFR).
• Ability to cover cost of living (open blocked bank account or declaration of commitment).

Benefit to employers

Germany’s lenient rules on work permissions for international students is highly advantageous for students and employers alike.

Not only do these rules offer international students the flexibility to work part-time to help fund their studies or switch their residence permit to another category, but German employers can also benefit from a wider talent pool when it comes to recruiting and filling skills gaps in their business.

If you want to hire international students in Germany and require support with the legal processes, Smith Stone Walters can help. Our team of immigration experts based in Frankfurt can support German employers in recruiting overseas talent and ensuring immigration compliance is upheld. To find out how we can help, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: In accordance with the German law governing legal advice and services (RDG, section 2 subsection 1) our services do not include any legal advice.