Skip to content 
Can International Students Work in Germany While Studying?
Germany has become one of the most popular destinations for Sri Lankan students who want a world-class degree in Europe without paying very high tuition fees. Its public universities, strong job market and many English-taught programmes make it an easy choice for students who plan to study in Germany.
But one question comes up in almost every consultation: can international students work in Germany while studying? Living costs are real, and most students want to earn some money, gain experience and build a CV while they study.
The good news is that the answer is yes. In this guide, we explain the work rules for international students in Germany in simple words, including how many hours you can work, what jobs you can do, how much you can earn and what happens after you graduate.
Can International Students Work in Germany While Studying?
Yes. Students from Sri Lanka and other non-EU countries who hold a German student residence permit (Section 16b of the Residence Act) can work part-time without asking for extra approval. You can work 140 full days or 280 half days per calendar year, or up to 20 hours per week during the lecture period .
This limit was raised from 120 to 140 full days in March 2024, so today’s students have more room to work than earlier batches.
How Many Hours Can International Students Work in Germany?
The 140 days rule in Germany is easy once you know how a “day” is counted. A day with more than four hours of work is a full day. A day with four hours or less is a half day. The yearly count runs from 1 January to 31 December, and sick days, holidays and paid leave do not count.
Situation | What you can do |
|---|---|
During the semester (lecture period) | Up to 20 hours per week |
During semester breaks | Full-time work (about 40 hours a week) is allowed, counted against your yearly days |
Yearly limit | 140 full days or 280 half days per calendar year |
Student assistant job at your university (HiWi) | Not counted in the 140/280-day limit |
Compulsory internship that is part of your course | Not counted in the limit |
Voluntary internship | Counted in the limit |
Thesis written in a company | Part of your studies, not counted |
Want to work more than the limit? | Possible only with approval from the local foreigners’ office (Ausländerbehörde) |
Popular Part-Time Jobs in Germany for International Students
There are plenty of part-time jobs in Germany for international students, both on campus and outside the university. The most common options are:
Student Assistant (HiWi) Jobs
Universities hire students as research assistants, tutors, lab helpers and library staff. These jobs fit around your timetable, look great on a CV and do not count towards the 140/280-day limit.
Werkstudent Jobs
A Werkstudent (working student) job is a part-time role in a company, usually linked to your field of study, such as IT, engineering, marketing or finance. Werkstudent jobs in Germany usually pay more than general part-time work and often lead to full-time offers after graduation. During the semester you must keep to 20 hours a week to keep your student status.
Mini Jobs
A mini job in Germany for students is a small job with a monthly earnings limit of €603 in 2026. Mini-job income has simple tax and social security rules, which makes it popular with students .
General Part-Time Jobs
Cafés, restaurants, supermarkets, delivery services, warehouses, call centres and retail stores hire students regularly. Big cities such as Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt and Hamburg have the most openings, especially for English speakers.
Internships
Many degree programmes include a compulsory internship, which does not use up your work days. Voluntary internships are also allowed, but they count towards your yearly limit.
How Much Can Students Earn in Germany?
Germany’s legal minimum wage is €13.90 per hour from 1 January 2026, and it is set to rise to €14.60 in 2027. The minimum wage applies to all workers, including international students.
Type of work | Typical earnings (before tax) |
|---|---|
Minimum wage job | €13.90 per hour |
20 hours a week at minimum wage | About €1,200 per month |
Mini job | Up to €603 per month (about 43 hours a month) |
Werkstudent / HiWi | Often above minimum wage, depending on field and city |
To put this in context, students applying for a German student visa must show about €1,091 per month in a blocked account in 2026. Part-time work can cover a good share of your living costs, but you still need the full blocked account amount for your visa. Part-time income should support your budget, not replace your proof of funds. You can also reduce costs through study abroad scholarships.
Tax, Insurance and Important Restrictions
Working while studying in Germany comes with a few rules that every student should know before taking a job:
- Tax: students pay income tax only if yearly income goes above the tax-free allowance. If tax is deducted from your salary, you can often get it back by filing a tax return.
- Social security: a mini job has reduced contributions. Werkstudent jobs usually need only a small pension contribution, as long as you keep to 20 hours a week during the semester.
- No self-employment: your student permit does not allow freelancing or running your own business without separate permission (BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg).
- Studies come first: your visa is for studying. Failing exams or making slow progress because of work can cause problems when you renew your permit.
- Keep records: note every day and the hours you work, so you never cross the 140/280-day limit by mistake.
Common Mistakes Sri Lankan Students Should Avoid
- Working more than 20 hours a week during the semester.
- Forgetting that voluntary internships count towards the 140/280-day limit.
- Doing freelance or self-employed work on a student permit.
- Planning the budget only around part-time income instead of the blocked account.
- Ignoring German language learning, which limits job options.
- Letting work affect grades and study progress.
How GIEC Global Sri Lanka Helps You Study and Work in Germany
As experienced student visa consultants in Sri Lanka, GIEC Global helps you plan your German education from start to finish. Our team supports you with:
- Choosing the right university and course in Germany
- Preparing your application, SOP and financial documents
- Blocked account and German student visa guidance
- English test preparation through our IELTS coaching
- Pre-departure advice on part-time work, accommodation and settling in
We also guide students comparing Germany with other European options, such as an Austria student visa or plans to study in Italy.
FAQs
Yes. Sri Lankan students with a German student residence permit can work 140 full days or 280 half days per year, or up to 20 hours a week during the semester.
Up to 20 hours a week during the lecture period. During semester breaks, you can work full-time, as long as you stay within your yearly day limit.
It is the yearly work limit for non-EU students. A day with more than four hours of work counts as a full day, and four hours or less counts as a half day.
The minimum wage is €13.90 per hour from 1 January 2026, and it applies to students too.
Part-time work can cover a good share of living costs, but you still need to show the full blocked account amount for your visa. Do not plan your budget only around job income.
Not always. Big cities have English-speaking jobs, but basic German greatly increases your options.
