A brief guide on working with and after studies in Germany

Germany offers a lot of opportunities in several specialized areas like IT and engineering. The country is also famed for having one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe. With such a high stature with regards to economic stability and industrial growth, to work in Germany becomes an ambition for international students who are also willing to take up their studies in Germany.

Students do get excellent opportunities to get employed in Germany after completing their study in Germany. In fact, there are ways in which international students can start working in Germany while they are doing their studies.

Let’s look at how international students can do a job and pursue a career in Germany during and after their studies in Germany.

Working in Germany while studying

Doing a part-time job is possible during studies in Germany. Here’s how it goes for students from different areas of the world.

Students from the EU/EEA

• They are entitled to free access to the German job market as German students.
• They can work up to 20 hours per week while studying.
• Crossing this limit leads to you paying into the German social security system, besides leaving a negative impact on studies.

Students from outside the EU/EEA

• They can work for 120 full days or 240 half days a year.
• A job as a research assistant or student assistant at the university where the student is learning will not be counted in the limit prescribed.
• If taking up work as a research assistant or student assistant, the same must be notified to the Alien Registration Office.
• If the student takes up an internship during a semester break, it will be considered normal work. This holds true even when the student isn’t paid for his internship.
• The time spent in an internship will be subtracted from the 120-day limit.
• A compulsory internship that’s part of the course won’t be counted to the limit prescribed.
• Non-EU/EEA students aren’t allowed to freelance or be self-employed.
• Any earnings over €450 will be assigned an income tax number. The student will be subject to automatic tax deductions.

Working in Germany after studies

Students from the EU/EEA

• EU citizens can seek employment in Germany without having a Germany work visa.
• EU citizens will be treated the same as German residents and they will have the same access to the job market, work environment, and tax and social advantages.

Students from outside the EU/EEA

• After graduation, they can extend their residence permit for up to 18 months to seek employment and work in areas related to their studies.
• They will need the following to apply for the extended permit:
  • Official document from the university that proves the student’s completing studies. E.g., a university degree certificate.
  • Passport
  • Proof of sufficient funds to support oneself financially
  • Proof of health insurance
• The 18 months’ extended time begins as soon as the student gets his/her final exam results.
• In these 18 months, the student can take up any job and work any number of hours to support himself/herself.
• The student can stay in Germany even while the decision on his/her application for a residence permit/EU Blue Card is pending.

Now you know quite a bit about how a student can work in Germany. Plan your time in Germany right from the time of your studies for a bright future.

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