Many workers seek employment in Germany due to its high quality of life, reasonable cost of living, green communities, and excellent opportunity for work/life balance. Wages are higher in Munich, the German home of EU Business School, making it a particularly desirable destination for young graduates. Add to this the diversity of industries available and Germany’s reputation as a hub for innovation, technology, and global business, and it’s easy to see the appeal of working there. It’s much easier to obtain a work permit for Germany than in many other places in the EU, making it doubly attractive to international workers.
Who Can Work in Germany?
- Students from the EU/EEA have equal labor rights to German students and are allowed to work up to 20 hours every week.
- Students from outside the EU/EEA are subject to more restrictions. With a valid residence permit, foreign students may work 120 full days or 240 half days. It is possible to work more hours, but you will need prior approval from the Federal Immigration Authority (Ausländeramt) and the Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit), who consider each case on an individual basis. It is usually not possible for foreign students in Germany to be self-employed.
What Types of Employment Are Available?
There are three kinds of employment available to students in Germany:
These are the positions most commonly held by students. A minijob has a maximum monthly income of 450 euros, tax-free. Another name for this kind of employment is geringfügige Beschäftigung.
These positions, actually called “working student jobs,” limit the worker to 20 hours a week. You will earn minimum wage (€9.60/hr) and pay reduced taxes compared to non-student workers.
Internship positions typically skew closer to a typical full-time schedule. There are two types:
- Compulsory Internships (Pflichtpraktikum): This refers to work experience or hours that are mandated by your study program. Provided your internship is part of the overall curriculum, you are permitted to exceed 20 hours per week. If your compulsory internship lasts longer than three months, you are entitled to minimum wage reimbursement (€9.60/hr).
- Voluntary Internships (freiwilliges Praktikum): Unlike compulsory internships, voluntary internships take time away from the maximum 120 days that students from outside the EU are allowed for work.
How Can I Find Work in Germany?
It can be daunting to job-seek in another country, particularly if you’re not fluent in the local language! That’s where the EU Business School Career Services Department can help. We provide workshops, one-on-one counseling, and employment events to ensure our students find the work experience they need to begin their journey to being business leaders.
Job-searching online is another good option. The Federal Employment Agency portal, called Arbeitsagentur, should be your first stop. You can also find work on platforms such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and Stepstone, just as you would in almost any country. Don’t forget to set your search filters on “minijob” or “Werkstudententätigkeiten”!
