How to Apply for Study and Work Opportunities in Germany

Interested in studying and working in Germany? There are numerous High-Paying Jobs for Students in Germany and there are many ways of earning money while studying, for example as academic assistants, or private tutors and even more. However the kind of work opportunities available to you will depend on government regulations and your level of study; whether bachelor’s or graduate level. Knowledge of the German language will improve your chances of student jobs in Germany even more.

Germany is the fourth-largest economy in the world and the largest in entire Europe. Its rate of unemployment is among the lowest in the EU. As of March 2022, the rate of unemployment in Germany was, on average, 5.7% with many cities like Munich or Berlin being way much lower.

See Also: How to Apply for a Germany Study Visa

What Are My Student Work Options In Germany?

The main types of work available for international students in Germany to get professional experience while getting a pay cheque are:

* Part-time jobs

* Summer or winter vacation jobs

* Internships (praktika)

* Volunteering

* Traineeships

Do I Need a Student Work Permit in Germany?

If you come from an EU/EEA country, you do not need a work permit to get a job in Germany. And there’s no limitation to how much you can work however, if you work more than 20 hours/week then you are required to pay taxes to the German social security system.

Commonly Available High-Paying Jobs for Students in Germany

RESEARCH ASSISTANT AT THE UNIVERSITY

Average Pay: About €925/month

Teaching or graduate research assistants at the university typically are open to research scholars and pay decent enough money. These jobs include assisting the professor with marking copies, giving tutorials, or prepare research literature, as supervisors, as librarians, etc. On a hierarchy of the kinds of jobs available, these are at the top of the line. Research assistant at the university is a kind of job that brings you many advantages, as you are already familiar with the environment and the personnel, and it can help you with your studies too.

SUPPORT STAFF/ WAITERS AT CAFÉ’S

Average Pay: €8.55/hr

Waiting or catering assignments are often the most famous jobs among students. Many students opt for this for more reasons than the money this is so because as we know the pay on some occasions is very basic, it gives the student a great opportunity to explore the city, meet new people and simply unwind after the day at the university. Not to forget, the tips are very good.

BABYSITTING

Average Pay: €5-10/hr

If you like children and have at least a little experience in working with them, this job might be the perfect fit for you. A babysitting job is well paid, and, after a while, you can renegotiate your rates.

LANGUAGE TUTOR

Average Pay: $28/hr

If you have a proficient level of English or any other language, you can easily get a job as a tutor at a school, or even within some of the local companies. This is a lucrative job opportunity for international students; for example, teaching English to German students often involves a decent payout. There is always a choice of taking private tuition for the students there, which usually has a decent pay scale. You must be skilled in the language you teach though; this decides your employment in this sector.

RETAIL STORE SHOPPING ASSISTANT

Average Pay: €27,000/yr

Among one of the outstanding High-Paying jobs for students in Germany. A retail store shopping assistant involves knowing, customers with information, and selecting the best product they are looking for. You will need good communication skills. Germany’s bricks and mortar retail sector is often crying out for staff, with flexible hours and discounts available as attractive perks.

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Average Pay: €11.93/hr

Your main tasks would be to answer the phone, give information to clients or partners of the company, and other administrative duties.

CATERING

Average Pay: NA

Whether it involves serving food at corporate functions, or just joining the waiting staff at a local restaurant, the food and drink sector is a major student employer, so you should look into this too.

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS

Average Pay: €11.75/hr

These are well-paying jobs and are a good option for students looking for some experience and a more relevant employment option for students, post-graduation. With Germany giving you a 1-year post-study work permit with your student visas, finding these jobs could be the precursor to a career in Germany. A student can find these jobs in the local newspapers.

CALL CENTRE OFFICER

Average Pay: €1,663/monthly

You can agree with me that this stands out as one of the High-Paying jobs for students in Germany. What you do is to answer the phone, analyze customer requests or complaints, and manage them, these are basically what you will have to do. You have to be patient, diplomatic, and have interpersonal skills. Good knowledge of German is also a must and, most times, you can make your own schedule.

FIELD INTERVIEWER

Average Pay: €26.478/yr

Some companies or organizations often need data collectors, that have to ask clients about their opinion about products or services that will eventually lead to a survey.

HOME DELIVERY

Average Pay: €15/hr

This will entail you to work for an online shopping company or restaurant and deliver products at peoples’ homes. The job is well paid, but keep in mind that you will often receive extra tips as well.

Also Check: Germany Visa Sponsorship Jobs 2023: Top Companies to Apply

Work-Study Tax for Student Tax

If you regularly earn more than 450 Euros in your job, you will need an income tax number to pay taxes. But if you regularly earn more than €450/hour, you will need a tax number.

Deductions will be made automatically from your salary, but you will get back the tax you have paid at the end of the year. If you work less than 20 hours per week, these taxes do not apply. Awesome, right? I think so too.

If you are an international student, you can take up to 120 full days of work/year or 240 half-days/years. The only exception is if you work as a student assistant within the university. In this case, there is no work-time limit.

RULES FOR STUDENTS

Students from the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland enjoy unrestricted access to the German labor market and have practically the same rights as German students. However, if they work more than 20 hours per week they must pay certain insurance contributions (just like German students). For students from other countries, special legal regulations apply: You should also see our post on Germany Study Destination: Free Tuition Study.

International students who are aiming to study and work in Germany from other countries are allowed to work 120 full days or 240 half days per year.

Students who want to work more need permission from the (Federal Employment Agency) and the (foreigners’ office). Whether they are given permission depends on the situation on the labor market: The chances are better in regions with low unemployment.

If you are taking a language course or studying at a preparatory college, you may generally only work if you have permission from the Federal Employment Agency and the Foreigners’ Office – and only during the recess period.

Laws for Student Part Time Jobs in Germany

Taxation is another concern. A student earning less than 450 Euros a month need not pay any taxes/ social security contribution. Also, if you work for less than 50 continuous days over a period of one year, you are exempted as well.

Working for more than 20 hours a week is generally not advised. Not only is it against most university rules, working more than this limit would require you to pay health insurance, unemployment as well as nursing care insurance.

Compliance with federal laws is extremely important. If you are found to be flouting them, you can find yourself being expelled from the country. So keep the checks in place, conform to the rules, and have your permit in place.

When it comes to working within the university, though, the working hours and wages are completed differently. In fact, they are far better and you can work for long hours as well. Getting a job in the university, however, might not be as easy. While finding a job within the university would be a tedious task, you could just be favored and find one, quicker than anticipated.

I guess you are set to study and work in Germany. You can also take advantage of the numerous Scholarships in Germany for International Students to study and work in Germany fully funded.

You May Also Like: USA Work-Study Opportunities for International Students