In the era of inclusivity, every country desires to make the lives of their fellow citizens better. To achieve that betterment, the country opens its doors to foreign nationals to work, tourists to enjoy their landscapes, and most importantly, students who decide to study abroad. Among other countries, Germany stands as a number 1 preference for international students as a study destination. One of the major reasons for that could be the free education in Germany. This “free” factor pulls the students to study in Germany. For students who study in Germany education, the universities and government allow them to do part time jobs in Germany to ease out their burden and also allow them to experience the culture and the way of life.
Hence, this blog dwells on the top part time jobs for students and other necessities of the part time jobs.
Table of Content
1Benefits of Part Time Jobs in Germany2Types of Part Time Jobs in Germany3Part time Job Rules in Germany4Requirements for Part Time Jobs in Germany5Part Time Jobs in Germany for International Students6Part Time Job Salary in Germany7Salary Tax in Germany8How to Find Part Time Jobs in Germany9Cost of Living in Germany for International Students10Concluding Remarks11Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ )
Benefits of Part Time Jobs in Germany
An international student who came to Germany via German student visa with a dream of studying at German universities can avail various benefits simultaneously while doing the part-time job. Some of them are listed below:
Valuable Experience: Part-time jobs can help to gain the field experience that is relevant for the current employment needs.
Skill Enhancement: A part-time job can help to acquire new skills—whether technical or non-technical or to refine existing ones, aligning them with employment opportunities in Germany.
Financial Support: Part-time jobs help to sustain yourself financially during your stay in Germany and also assist in maintaining the required €861 in your blocked account.
Area of Network: Part-time jobs widen the network of communication and enlarge the social circle, which in turn may help to land a job in Germany.
Resume Booster: Doing part-time jobs will become an added advantage in your resume and this would have a significant impact during the job interview.
Types of Part Time Jobs in Germany
If a student chooses to take on gig employment, the key factor to consider is the nature and type of the job. Hence, the following table lists the type of part time jobs in Germany, its nature and followed by the potential jobs:
S.No | Nature | What it is | List of Jobs |
1 | On-Campus Jobs | Jobs in & around university that relate to academics |
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2 | Off-Campus Jobs | Jobs that go outside the University campus |
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3 | Online Part-time Jobs | Jobs that can be done during the free time and requires no physical presence |
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Part time Job Rules in Germany
International students must follow specific regulations to work part-time. Hence, the rules and regulations for part-time student jobs in Germany are as follows:
Constrained Timing: International students can work up to 20 hours per week. On an annual basis, it equates to 120 full days or 240 half days. If a student wants to work more than the threshold, certain permissions are required from local authorities and the foreigners’ registration office.
Restrictive Free Lancing: International students must not undertake self-employment or free lancing as an option of part-time.
Special Permission: If an international student is enrolled in a language or a preparatory course, he/she can work only after getting permission from the Federal Employment Agency and the Immigration Office. They can work during their recess period or free period.
Connecting the Locals: It becomes inevitable for students to know the German language basics to avoid mistakes and misunderstandings. It becomes an added advantage for them if they speak the local language fluently.
Strict Adherence: International students must comply with federal law in order to avoid country expulsion. Also, the student must keep a check of his/her working place and keep a valid work permit to work.
Requirements for Part Time Jobs in Germany
Eligibility Criteria
International students who decide to enroll in part time jobs in Germany must meet specific criteria, and the required criteria are as follows:
- Enrolled in a recognized university
- Valid Germany study visa
- Permission from Federal Employment Agency and the Immigration Office
Documents Required
After meeting the eligibility criteria, the next step would be collecting the necessary documents, and the documents are mentioned below:
- Valid Residence Permit
- Proof of Enrolment
- Employment contract (or) Offer Letter
- Proof of Identity
- Proof of Health Insurance
- Letter from Federal Employment Agency and the Immigration Office (if applicable)
- Social Security Number (if applicable)
- Bank Details (if applicable)
Part Time Jobs in Germany for International Students
Apart from student work in Germany, there are many jobs for international students to do part-time. Therefore, the following list highlights the highest-paying part-time jobs for an international student in Germany:
1. Student Assistant
2. Tutor
3. Waiter / Waitress
4. Delivery Services
5. Call Center Operator
1. Student Assistant
Job Overview |
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Eligibility Criteria |
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Work Hours |
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How to Apply |
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2. Tutor
Job Overview |
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Eligibility Criteria |
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Work Hours |
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How to Apply |
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3. Waiter / Waitress
Job Overview |
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Eligibility Criteria |
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Work Hours |
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How to Apply |
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4. Delivery Services
Job Overview |
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Eligibility Criteria |
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Work Hours |
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How to Apply |
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5. Call Center Operator
Job Overview |
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Eligibility Criteria |
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Work Hours |
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How to Apply |
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Part Time Job Salary in Germany
Apart from scholarships in Germany, an international student also works part time to reduce their financial burden. On a range, the international student can earn between €10 and €25 per hour. Hence, for the top-paying part-time jobs, the following table shows the average salary per hour for students who decide the Germany study abroad destination:
S.No | List of Part-Time Jobs | Average Salary (€) (per hour) |
1 | Student Assistant | 14 |
2 | Tutor | 14 |
3 | Waiter/Waitress | 10 (Excluding Tip) |
4 | Delivery Services | 12 |
5 | Call Center Operator | 15 |
6 | Industrial Production Assistant | 12 |
7 | Supermarket/Mall Jobs | 13 |
8 | Babysitting | 13 |
9 | Office Assistant | 12 |
10 | Social media | 10 |
Salary Tax in Germany
Every person who receives the salary/income has to pay the tax in the world. However, not all part-time jobs require paying taxes. There are certain perks for tax exemption for part time jobs in Germany, which are as follows:
- Students who earn €450 or less per month are exempt from paying tax.
- Students who work less than 50 days per year are too exempt from tax.
Those who earn more than €450 and work more than 50 days per year need to pay taxes. They’ll receive a tax number, and there shall be deductions from every month’s wage. However, they can reimburse their money after filing a tax return.
How to Find Part Time Jobs in Germany
For an international student who wishes to employ themselves part-time, there are a plethora of opportunities to work. Finding them would be the only difficult task since part-time jobs arise based upon the immediate need. Henceforth, the upcoming shows the manner to find the part time jobs in Germany:
Understanding the Work Regulations
- It is relevant for student to check their Germany visa for student regulations as international student can work up to 20 hours per week.
- Also, the student should know the tax rates and social security contributions. It has to be remembered that breaching €450 per month leads to deducting money from salary.
Preparing the Essentials
- After realizing the regulations, it is time to prepare the necessary documents.
- One has to prepare the resume/CV in the Europass format or any other format, according to the workplace.
- Also, a personalized cover letter for each job application will help to land a job in no time.
- It would be useful for students to learn German language to connect with the locals.
Deciding the Job Type
- A student, after deciding to do part-time, needs to know the nature of the job.
- Whether it is off-campus (or) on-campus, the student decides after careful study about the job description.
Utilizing the University Resources
- Check the university bulletins frequently. Also, monitor the flyers and brochures displayed on the university notice board.
- Most of the public universities in Germany have dedicated career centres that aid the international students round the clock.
Referring the Job Portals
- There are a greater number of job portals such as Indeed, LinkedIn, StepStone that lists the part-time jobs. These portals show the job across cities.
- A student can check the student specific portals such as Studierendenwerk and Jobmensa specifically for a part-time job.
Looking into Local Resources
- Sometimes, the local magazines and newspapers too advertise a part-time job. Hence, the students are advised to check it periodically.
- Consider visiting the local employment agencies which lists down the part-time student jobs.
Making use of the Network
- Attend the career fairs, workshops, and networking that are organized often.
- Also, join the students’ group in social media like Facebook and LinkedIn where job openings and opportunities are shared.
By using the above-mentioned way, one can land a part-time job in no time.
Cost of Living in Germany for International Students
The cost of living is the crucial factor for international students. The cost of living depends upon several factors, such as location, food, and other expenses. If a student resides near a university (or) workplace, the cost will cut down minimally. However, the range of costs would be € (10,000–15,000) per year. Hence, for a brighter note, the following table dissects the living costs:
S.No | Category | Particulars | Amount (€/month) |
1 | Accommodation | Student Dormitories/Shared Apartments | 250-500 |
2 | Food | Groceries/Home cooking | 200-400 |
3 | Transportation | Any form of public transports such as buses, metro | 50-80 |
4 | Health Insurance | Monthly Instalment of Health Insurance | 80-100 |
5 | Utilities | Electricity/Books/Water/Internet | 100-150 |
Total Cost (per month) | 630-1230 |
Concluding Remarks
In a nutshell, part time jobs in Germany are a great choice for international students for reducing their financial burden. Even though higher education in Germany offers less or no tuition fee for international students, the cost of living would be invariably high. Hence, this blog showcases the top part-time jobs and their needs and also where one can find the potential job opportunities. If you are someone who plans a Germany study abroad destination, consider contacting CanApprove.