Students from the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland enjoy unrestricted access to the German labour market and have the same rights as German student citizens. If they work more than 20 hours per week, they must pay certain insurance contributions (just like German students).
For employment, you will need to provide a German tax identification number (Steuer-IdNr.). You typically receive this after registering your place of residence at the local residents' registration office (Bürgeramt).
For students from outside the European Union, special legal regulations apply based on the purpose of their residence permit. If your residence permit has been issued for studying in Germany, the following rules apply:
Generally, you may work up to a total of either 140 full days or 280 half-days per calendar year without prior authorisation. Up to 4 working hours per day count as a half-day.
The day restrictions do not apply if you are working as a scientific or academic student assistant or as a tutor. However, you must still inform the municipal immigration office ("Ausländerbehörde").
The day restrictions also do not apply if you are completing your Bachelor's or Master's thesis or a compulsory internship with a company as part of your degree programme. No prior authorisation is required in this case.
Other student jobs, voluntary internships, mini jobs, and employment with a company—whether paid or unpaid—are subject to the 140/280 day regulation mentioned above.
You are not permitted to be self-employed or work as a freelancer.
If your residence permit has been issued for other purposes (such as asylum or family reunion), different laws apply. In this case, you must apply for a work permit at the municipal immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) and may also need permission from the federal employment agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit). The 140/280 day regulation does not apply.
Balancing studies and work
Different forms of employment are available for international students in Germany. It's important to choose a job that aligns with your study schedule and motivations.
To finance your studies in the first few semesters, we recommend working a maximum of one day or no more than 10 hours per week in a part-time job. Look for jobs that you can combine with your lectures, such as in retail, production, or catering. These jobs often offer shift work that fits well around your studies. Good German language skills and well-prepared application documents will increase your chances of landing your first job. Particularly, look for so-called Mini-Jobs in your area. It's crucial to manage your study workload before taking on additional work.
Regardless of the industry or position, successfully balancing your studies and work is the most important factor for your success as a student and in your future career. Employers will also want to see how well you are performing in your studies. Studying is a full-time commitment and should be your priority. During semester breaks, you can work full-time to earn more money to cover your expenses.
In the later stages of your Bachelor's or Master's studies, it makes sense to focus more on career development. Once you have gained study and work experience, you can take on further roles and apply to suitable companies. The International Career Support will assist you with training and coaching. Companies often hire students as working students, interns, or for Bachelor's or Master's theses. You can also work at the university as a student assistant or tutor.
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Popular job-formats for students
In a mini-job, you can be employed in companies or private households. The minimum wage is 12.82 EUR gross per hour (as of 2025). You pay almost no social security contributions, meaning you receive a higher net salary from your gross pay.
Part-time employment (during the semester): You can earn up to 556 EUR per month, which means working a maximum of 43 hours per month. This is particularly popular in shift work and service industries. ("Geringfügige Beschäftigung")
Short-term employment (during the semester break): You can earn more than 538 EUR per month, but the employment cannot last longer than three months or 70 working days in a calendar year. Typical examples include temporary work during production peaks in industry or agriculture. ("Kurzfristige Beschäftigung")
This model is particularly suitable for the earlier semesters of your studies.
As a working student (Werkstudent), you are enrolled at the university and can work for a company to earn a living while gaining valuable work experience. The minimum wage is 12.82 EUR gross per hour (as of 2025). Compared to a regular job, you only need to pay into pension insurance, allowing you to keep a higher net salary.
To qualify for working student status, you must not work more than 20 hours per week in total. If you exceed the 20 hours per week limit within a calendar year, you may not be employed for more than 26 weeks with a total weekly working time exceeding 20 hours. The hours limit should mainly be exceeded on weekends, evenings, nights, or during lecture-free periods. Note: other jobs within the calendar year also count toward this hours limit. You are responsible for ensuring you comply with and track the hours limits.
This model is particularly suitable for the later semesters of your studies.
As a student assistant or tutor, you can contribute to the university while earning money at the same time. This is convenient, as the distances between lectures and work are short.
Tutors assist with lectures and exercises, as well as supervise other students. Student assistants work in academic departments or provide administrative support. Depending on their role and level of study, they earn varying wages.
Faculties and departments often seek student support, so be sure to check the dashboard for available positions.
Employment Law: Basics
You may have agreed to the employment contract either in writing or verbally. However, your employer must provide you with the terms of the contract in writing no later than one month thereafter.
The employment contract does not need to be written in English or any other language.
The contract cannot offer you less favourable terms than those stipulated by law, for example, fewer holiday entitlements or a wage below the minimum rate.
Further information and the mandatory contents of every employment contract can be found at the Bundesagentur für Arbeit.
The average working day in Germany is 8 hours. However, this can be extended to up to 10 hours per day for a short period, provided there is a rest period of at least 11 hours between shifts.
If you work between 6 and 9 hours a day, you are entitled to a 30-minute break after no more than 6 hours. If your working day exceeds 9 hours, the break is extended to 45 minutes. It is not permitted to take your break at the end of the day in order to leave early. Breaks are unpaid.
You are entitled to paid leave, which is at least 2 days for each full month of work. If you work on Sundays or public holidays, your employer must offer you a corresponding number of days off within 8 weeks.
Either you or your employer may terminate your employment before the end of the contract. The notice periods are specified in your employment contract.
A notice of termination is only valid if it can be proven to have been delivered. Notice of termination via email is not considered a written notice and is therefore invalid.
Here, you will find practical advice on searching for and starting work in Germany.
When looking for work in Germany, your first point of contact should be the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) and its job board, where you can search for job offers, create a profile, and register for job notifications.
For more information on work and careers in Germany, visit the DAAD website (German Academic Exchange Service).
The Federal Foreign Office website provides general information for foreigners about working in Germany.
The official website for internationally qualified professionals is www.make-it-in-germany.com. It offers information for those interested in studying, working, and living in Germany, as well as guidance on preparing for arrival and managing your first steps in the country.
You can frequently find local job offers on the Campus notice boards (first floor stairwell of Building A at Campus Rosenheim.
Useful job portals - Find a job
Many companies advertise their job vacancies online. Job portals make it easier to find the right job and your future employer in Germany. Some online portals even allow you to set up alerts for suitable job offers.
Jobline LMU - Job applications in English Jobline LMU advises on all aspects of the application. Templates, checklists and step-by-step instructions help with a successful application.
Review of Application Documents in German Martin Rippel, careers adviser for academic professions at the Rosenheim Employment Agency, can help you optimise your application documents in German. If you are interested in a review of your application portfolio, please email rosenheim.151-akademiker@arbeitsagentur.de to arrange a personal appointment. Further information is also available at the Career Center of TH Rosenheim.
Review of Application Documents in English Are you looking for a placement or your first job abroad and need application documents in English? The Welcome Service's International Career Support offers individual coaching for all students at TH Rosenheim.
For Graduates: Working in Germany after Studies
Having completed your degree, there are various pathways into the German job market available to you through qualified employment: a job related to your university degree.
Graduates from the EU (as well as those from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) have the same access to the German labour market as German graduates and do not require a work or residence permit.
Non-EU graduates must arrange for new residence and work permits for the purpose of their stay. Your application for a new residence permit must be submitted before your student residence permit expires. The relevant authority is your local Immigration Office. Be sure to schedule a consultation appointment well in advance!
Important: Graduates with German language skills have a better chance of securing a job. Therefore, make the most of the free courses offered by the Language Center during your studies and acquire the necessary German language skills (B2 CEFR) to help you find qualified employment afterwards. Proficiency in German as a foreign language will make it easier for you to secure a job, obtain a residence permit, and build social connections.
You can be granted a residence permit for 18 months to enable you to search for a qualified job that aligns with your university degree. During this period, you may take up any job without time restrictions in order to cover your living costs. This residence permit cannot be extended and is counted from the date of the written confirmation that you have passed your final examination (i.e. not from the date of de-registration). You should plan your job search and apply for a subsequent new residence permit during your final year of studies.
The requirements for this residence permit (§ 18b AufenthG) for graduates from non-EU countries are as follows:
Proof that you have successfully completed your studies
Proof of sufficient health insurance cover
Proof that you will be able to support yourself while searching for a job
The EU Blue Card is the most common residence permit for university graduates from abroad who take up qualified employment in their field of study in Germany. It is usually issued for 4 years - or until your employment contract expires. It can be extended in the event of subsequent qualified employment.
You must provide proof of qualified employment:
Qualified employment above the gross salary of at least EUR 43,759.80 (as of 2025) - without the approval of the Federal Employment Agency
Qualified employment in occupations with shortage of skilled workers (e.g. STEM sector) also with a gross salary of at least EUR 41,041.80 / year (as of 2024) - only with the approval of the Federal Employment Agency
Qualified job as a career starter in the first 3 years after graduation, regardless of the occupational group, also with a gross salary of at least EUR 41,041.80 / year (as of 2024) - only with the approval of the Federal Employment Agency
The requirements for this residence permit (§ 18g AufenthG) for graduates from non-EU countries are:
Proof that you have successfully completed your studies
Proof of health insurance cover
Proof that you are able to support yourself (employment contract)
Germany has an excellent dual vocational training system. In a dual vocational training programme, you learn a specific profession directly in a company and also attend vocational college. German as a foreign language skills at B2 level are necessary.
For a position, you directly apply to companies that offer a training position (small, medium-sized or corporate companies). The Federal Employment Agency must approve the employment. Apprentices receive a training salary and often also a vocational training grant ("Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe", BAB) from the employment agency. Vocational training is also an alternative if you want to refocus during your studies and are thinking about discontinuing your degree programme.
If you are a non-EU citizen, you must apply for a new residence permit to start vocational training (§ 18a AufenthG).
The German doctorate is highly regarded throughout the world. There are two ways to a doctorate:
Individual doctorate under the supervision of a supervising professor
Structured doctoral programmes in a team of other doctoral students who attend seminars and may also work on the same projects
In Germany, most doctoral students work either at a university, a research institute or in industry. They finance their doctoral studies through employment and/or research scholarships. Depending on your employment and earnings, you will need a specific residence permit to start your doctorate in Germany as a non-EU student.
There are many reasons to become self-employed in Germany. For your business initiative, you should contact the start-up coaching at TH Rosenheim as soon as possible.
If you are a non-EU citizen, you must apply for a suitable residence permit for your entrepreneurial activity.
