Students often have to work alongside their studies to be able to support themselves because a loanBAföG or any other financial support they receive is not sufficient. Some students do not receive any financial aid - the only option left is to work and study at the same time. However, getting a part-time job can also help you start gaining work experience and establishing professional contacts, even if the job they are doing as students is not in the same field of work they are aspiring to in the future. When it comes to student jobs, there are many questions: Should taxes be paid? What type of insurance can be obtained? Is it permissible to work if I receive a BAföG loan? In this section there are answers to most of these questions.
Who has the right to work?
In principle, everyone who came to Germany on a student visa can work for a full 120 days a year. If he exceeds the 120-day limit, he must inform the Immigration Office. The regulation also applies to practical vocational training in Germany, even if it is not paid training. The time spent in conducting training is called mandatory training. Pflichtpraktikum".
What works are allowed to be carried out?
In general, any job can be started, but students often take on jobs such as a waiter, working in the retail market (as a salesperson or shelving assistant), or working in the education field. Alternatively, he can work as an apprentice crucifix.” Werkstudent” or as a student assistant “Hiwi”. Some students also prefer to work in the university library, as teachers, or as research assistants for professors. On nebenjob.de you can find On the list of the 30 best jobs for students Which may give some ideas about the most suitable opportunities for each student.
Where can I get a full-time job?
There are many websites where you can search for suitable jobs for students. For example, you can visit the following websites:jobmensa.de, studentjob.de, jobber.de, nebenjob.de, or jooble.org. On most of these sites, each student can create their profile and receive job openings directly via email notifications instead of searching for them regularly. On campusjaeger.de and aubi-plus.com there are job postings for "Werkstudent". At large universities, the student union often provides part-time jobs for students.
Student jobs available in each university can be found on the university bulletin board or inquired from the college secretariat about "studentische Hilfskraft” or “Hiwi.” You can also apply for subcontracting work ("Leiarbeiter") with a temporary employment agency.
How many working hours are allowed for a student?
To ensure that the person's position as a student is in good standing, he should not work more than 20 hours per week during the period of lectures. In this case, he will be considered a regular worker and not a student with a side job; This affects both the type of health insurance and the student's eligibility for a loanBAföG. However, the number of hours that can be worked during the semester holidays varies, you can read more below, in the section “Can students work during the holidays between semesters?”
How much income is allowed for students?
As a general rule, students have to pay social security contributions (health and long-term care, pension insurance) and pay taxes if their income is above a certain level - so depending on the level of income, the student may have to pay (social insurance and taxes), one or neither. In this case, employment and income level are the main determinants. If the student earns less than 450 euros per month - including additional income such as a birthday bonus"Weinachtsgeld” or “Urlaubsgeld” - this means that he has a so-called “mini-job” and therefore does not have to pay social security contributions or pay taxes. If he earns less than 450 euros per month, it may be covered by an insurance program for Parents or spouses, provided the remaining requirements are met. You can find out more about family insurance at studios-online.de.
If the student earns between 450.01 euros and 850 euros per month (or has a so-called part-time job"midi job”), in principle, it will not be possible for him to be included in family insurance and he must join a health insurance program independently. Students can join the statutory health insurance system using affordable student tariffs. You can read more about student health insurance at studios- online.de.
Students also have to pay pension insurance contributions, but only unemployment and long-term insurance are required if the student works more than 20 hours per week. This means that if he works less than 20 hours a week, he is exempt from contributing to unemployment and long-term insurance. When he has a small jobmidi job", has to pay taxes: the employer will automatically deduct taxes from the worker's salary and transfer them to the tax office. To do this, the employer needs to know the tax number and tax grade of each worker ("Steuer-ID"). However, after the tax return in The following year the tax office may return some money if the income is lower than expected, that is, if the student earns less than the level of tax-exempt income during the year.mehrwertsteuerrechner.de. It is always important to make a tax return, as professional expenses or training costs can be deducted and thus some money can be recovered from the tax office.
If a student earns more than €851 per month, he will lose all student benefits and have to pay social security contributions and pay taxes like a regular employee. You can learn more about small and medium jobs in the Small Business chapter.
Can students work during the holidays between semesters?
If the student starts a temporary job during the semester vacationFerienjob” usually will not need to make Social Security contributions. However, he may not work for more than three months (or 70 working days) per year during each semester break; otherwise, he will have to make retirement insurance contributions. If Works more than 26 weeks per year (during semester break), contributions to health, long-term care, and unemployment insurance must be made.
If a student earns less than 450 euros per month from a semester holiday job, he does not have to pay taxes. However, if he earns more than that, he will be obligated to pay taxes, but some money may be returned to him after his tax return the following year if the amount of money he earned during the year equals the level of tax-exempt income. You can learn more about current tax deduction regulations atmehrwertsteuerrechner.de.
Can students get a loan?BAföG" besides part-time work?
Yes, but only if the level of income they receive is not more than 5,400 euros per year (during the grant period), i.e. 450 euros per month “part-time”. Otherwise, the amount will be reduced.BAföG" granted to him.
Do minimum wage laws apply to students?
Students are also entitled to the statutory minimum wage. Note: The minimum wage does not apply to a mandatory internship or salary under a dual vocational training program.
Do students have the right to take a vacation if they work part-time?
Yes indeed. Vacations are the right of every employee (including students). Employees who work five days a week during the year are entitled to at least 20 days off per year. If the student works fewer days per week, the number of vacation days is determined accordingly.
important
It is always important for everyone to strive hard to find a job on fair terms. Unfortunately, there are always employers who take advantage of the students' situation, paying them less than the minimum wage or demanding a trial period without paying them (in a fair way). If students encounter employers of this type, they can seek advice from the Student Union Office.” Studentenwerk" at their university.