Part-time jobs in Germany
Expatrio
2024-09-06
Contents
Your guide to finding part-time jobs in Germany in 5 steps.
Part-time employment is a great way to cover costs of your study abroad. In this article, you will find part-time work options for international students from India in Germany. You'll also find tips and tricks for anyone looking for part-time work in Germany.
Working part-time in Germany
Studying abroad can be expensive and often involves substantial costs. However, German universities offer a great potential working environment for students, as Germany is the largest economy in Europe.
We've put together this guide to part-time work to help you support your studies abroad and maybe even find your dream job in Germany!
Why do students look for a part-time job?
Students in Germany need around €870 per month to cover their living costs. On top of that, there are semester fees and higher rents depending on the housing market.
Many internationals will also need to show proof of funds via a blocked account in order to get a German visa. You can apply for a blocked account with Expatrio and also get other mandatory services such as health insurance.
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Working while studying is a good option for many students. With a part-time job, you can continue to concentrate on your studies and at the same time earn money to help finance your life and perhaps even top up savings.
A part-time job is not only good for your finances. It will also help you learn more about yourself, what jobs and positions you do and do not like.
In addition, a part-time job spices up your resume: If you work while you study, you prove that you can manage your time well and that you are resilient. It doesn't matter what industry you work in - the main point is that you have gained experience in the job market.
Before you start sending applications for part-time and student jobs, you should find out about the general conditions for international students. You can find answers to the most important questions here in this article!
How do international students find part-time work?
How to find part-time jobs?
Most job opportunities can be found on online job portals or the university bulletin board. Here are some more ideas:
At your university
A position as a research assistant at your university is ideal for students from a non-EU country. You can check the university bulletin board or your university's online job exchange to find such job opportunities. Wissenschaftliche Hilfskräfte or Hiwis (= academic assistants) are responsible for supervision in the library, leading tutorials, or research literature for the professors.
Tip: Word of mouth is best! Ask friends or fellow students if they know of any job openings that might be suitable.
Outside the university
To find a part-time job outside your university, you can search on online job boards, and often, there are also job offers at the Studierendenwerk. Sometimes, it is also worth looking in local and regional newspapers. Typical student jobs outside of uni include waitressing, working at fairs, and courier services. Tutoring is also a good way for international students to supplement their budget.
Through the Federal Employment Agency
The Employment Agency has a job placement service for students. You can also get personal advice there. So a visit is definitely worthwhile if you are looking for a part-time job!
What are the rules and restrictions about working as an international student?
International students in Germany definitely have the opportunity to earn money while studying. For example, you can work as waiters, research assistants (e.g., preparing research literature) or provide tutoring (e.g. in your native language). This is especially interesting for international students working during their lecture-free time, as you can earn some extra pocket money or even cover their living costs.
However, there are certain rules and restrictions, especially for students from non-European countries. Please keep this in mind because it is extremely important for you if you are not from the European Union:
- Limited working hours: International students are allowed to work 120 full days or 240 half days per year. This means that they cannot accept continuous full-time jobs lasting one year.
Note: If you want to work more, you need the approval of the Employment Agency and the Foreigners' Registration Office. The only exception is working as a research assistant (Wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft). This can be done for an unlimited period of time. However, the Foreigners' Office must be informed about this, and the university rules must also be adhered to.
- Restricted employment: Self-employment is not allowed for international students.
What is the process of finding a job in Germany?
Part-time jobs are plentiful in Germany.
There are many job opportunities for Indian students or any other foreign students who study abroad:
1. Check out the job market
Take a look at the regional labor market: After you have checked out job openings for international university students at the local employment agency, online job portals, local newspapers, or university notice boards and found some interesting offers, it's time to apply!
2. Apply for relevant part-time jobs in Germany
The application forward is quite straight-forward. Just like German students, in most cases, you are required to apply by e-mail and attach a CV and a letter of motivation to your application documents. In Germany, a good cover letter matters a lot and can also be useful for part-time jobs. Check out the Expatrio library of free resources, including a CV and letter of motivation template.
3. Make a good impression at the interview
Have you been invited to a job interview? Well done! Now it is time to make a good impression and talk about previous experience in the field, if you have any. It could also be very helpful if you mention that you are attending or have attended a German language course. Job interviews nowadays in Germany tend to be a mix of in-person or online calls, depending on the job.
4. Take the job opportunity
One of the student jobs or part-time jobs you applied for has offered you a position? Take advantage of this opportunity! After you have set some basic conditions like your working hours with the employer, start your part-time work while you study abroad!
5. Make use of the work permit after graduation
If students want to find full-time employment in Germany after their study abroad, they can use their student visas and get an 18-month residence permit for the time after their degree. This also allows them to work full-time in any type of job while launching their career in Germany! Please bear in mind that you need to apply for an employment visa as soon as you have found professional employment.
Want to study in Germany?
Learn valuable tips on applying to a German university, details on securing your student visa, and much more on our guide.
How much do part-time jobs in Germany pay?
The minimum wage in Germany has increased to €12.41 per hour, starting January 1st, 2024. It is set to rise again in 2025 to €12.82.
However, how much you earn depends largely on your own skills, the industry, and the regional labor market. In cities like Munich and Hamburg, hourly wages are usually higher, but so is the cost of living. For academic assistants, industrial production assistants, or service staff at trade fairs, the average hourly wage is often slightly higher than the minimum wage.
Highest paying part-time jobs in Germany
Are you looking for a lucrative job opportunity? These are the best paying part-time jobs in Germany for students:
- Research scholars
- Research assistants/academic assistants
- Support staff
- Teaching English as an English tutor
- Industrial production assistants
Do international students in Germany have to pay social security contributions?
You only have to pay social security contributions if you have a permanent full-time job in the country. Anyone who is permanently employed in Germany pays the following contributions: Health insurance, pension insurance, unemployment insurance, and nursing care insurance.
Tip: Keep your employment under or equal to 20 hours per week. This ensures that you do not violate university regulations and do not have to pay insurance contributions. If you work more hours, you will have to pay certain insurance contributions, just like all German students.
Do I have to pay taxes as an international student in Germany?
Students can earn up to €520 per month without paying taxes. However, as soon as you regularly exceed this limit, you have to pay taxes. The tax number will be sent to you automatically by mail after you have received your residence permit and registered your address with the city. Be sure to keep this letter.
What are the best part-time jobs for international students in Germany?
These jobs are great for international students:
1. Student assistant
One of the most popular jobs among international students is that of a student assistant. The reasons are obvious: You work at the university, often in a field related to your studies, and you can easily combine your working hours with your studies. Jobs as a student assistant usually offer the opportunity to work regular hours during the semester and to reduce your working hours during the exam period.
Your tasks as a student assistant can vary greatly. Depending on which institute you are assigned to, you will work on experiments, compile material for lectures, provide administrative support, or work on theoretical projects.
The salary range in this job is from about €12 to €17 per hour.
2. Tutor
If you are particularly passionate about the content of a seminar in your degree program and enjoy sharing your knowledge with others, this job can be especially rewarding for you. A tutor organizes courses that reinforce the study content as an exercise. Tutors either prepare the content themselves or get help from professors or other university staff.
You should have a talent for teaching and speaking freely and be very interested in the subject matter. You should also be prepared for possible background questions and therefore have a thorough knowledge of the subject.
Your salary will be comparable to that of a student assistant, as you will be employed as such under contract.
3. Courier
Food, clothes, books, medicines, and almost everything else we need on a daily basis can be delivered directly to our doorstep nowadays. As a courier, you will find a job very quickly because they are always needed.
As an international student, you will most likely be delivering by bike, so you should be physically fit for the job. Some delivery services also use e-bikes. Your hours will depend on your employer but can extend into the late evening.
Your wages will be paid by the hour or per delivery, depending on the company. You will also receive a small tip from many customers, which can be used to supplement your salary. Courier drivers receive about €12 to €14 per hour.
4. Waiting tables
Waitressing can be a job that serves as a communicative balance to studying at a desk all day. You'll often work afternoons, evenings, and weekends in bars or restaurants, so the job doesn't clash with your studies. Some days the job can be pretty stressful, but lots of guests also mean lots of tips. This is actually the biggest plus of the job because there is hardly any other job where tipping is so important.
However, the supervisors also know this and therefore often pay no more than €12.5p0 per hour. On good days, however, it is not uncommon to earn more in tips than in the best-paid student jobs.
5. Part-time jobs for English speakers
Speaking German will greatly boost your job prospects. Nevertheless, you can also find part-time jobs on the job market that are well-suited for English speakers with little or no knowledge of German. All of the above jobs can be done even if you speak only English.
While it can be difficult to waitress in English in the countryside, it should not be a problem in big cities like Berlin. It is easier to find jobs in big cities on an English-speaking basis.
Conclusion
The decision on which part-time position to apply for should depend mainly on your personal interests. As an international student, you should also be careful not to violate any rules related to your visa status. The time as a student employee is often a good time to gain an impression of later professional life. Not only do you gain a few extra euros in your bank account, but you also improve your resume and your professional and social skills.
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