Working while studying

Many international students work while studying to cover their living costs. You should take into account that your studies are your first priority and should not be jeopardized by any working relationship you enter into.

Special legal provisions (note: the document is only available in German), which must be taken into consideration, apply for international students. Different regulations apply to citizens of the European Union (EU), European Economic Community (EEC) and Switzerland than to citizens of other countries.

Students from EU/EEC states and Switzerland

Students from the European Union and the EEC are allowed to work in Germany without restrictions. Freelance work and self-employment are also permitted.

If you do not work more than 20 hours per week during the lecture period, you are exempt from social insurance contributions. Regardless of how much you earn, you do not pay any additional contributions towards health, care and unemployment insurance. You only need to pay the pension insurance contributions. If you work more than 20 hours per week, you lose your student status and are fully liable for social insurance.

Please note: If you take on a part-time student job or a paid internship, you need to take out a German health insurance policy.

We recommend that you consult with Student Services Augsburg before accepting a job.

You can find current job advertisements in Augsburg for students in the Augsburg Student Services job market and on the Federal Labor Office website.

Students from states outside of the EU/EEC

Students from outside of the EU or EEC can work 120 full days or 240 half days per year. They do not need permission from the Federal Labor Office or the immigration authority for this. To perform freelance or self-employed work, regardless of the scope, they require a permit from the immigration authority.

If you work as an academic or student assistant (e.g. as a tutor for an academic chair, for the university communities, in the IT services center, in the library, in Student Services, etc.), you can work without restrictions. Before commencing this type of work, you need to inform the immigration authority responsible for you. The immigration authority will check whether or not you are a "student assistant" in your individual case.

If you wish to work more than 120 full days or 240 half days, you need permission from the Federal Labor Office and the immigration authority. This rule also applies to voluntary internships (paid or unpaid) that you wish to partake in on top of the 120 days.

Compulsory internships that are required in the context of the study course are permitted in addition to the 120 days without approval from the Federal Labor Office.

It is also possible to do an internship abroad. Consult with the consulate in your destination country in good time to ascertain whether you need a visa and whether further entry conditions apply.

Please note:

Please contact the immigration authority responsible for you and obtain advice on whether you need to apply for a longer temporary period abroad for your internship. If you stay outside of Germany for more than 6 months, your residence permit will expire!

We recommend that you consult with Student Services Augsburg before accepting a job.

You can find current job advertisements in Augsburg for students in the Augsburg Student Services job market and on the Federal Labor Office website.

Student Service

The Social Counselling Service of the Augsburg Student Service is responsible for all questions regarding social and labour law. There you can get information and tips on the topic of "Working and studying".

If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please contact the Social Counselling Service of the Augsburg Student Service.

Career Service International

To have good prospects on the German job market after graduation, it is important to establish good conditions for your career during your studies. Start as early as possible! Many companies in Germany have a need for international academics in order to be able to cover their skilled labor requirements in the future also. This is your opportunity. Use it!

You will find all information useful to you as an international student on the Career Service International web page.

If you have any questions or want to make an appointment, please get in touch with the Career Service international: [Bitte aktivieren Sie Javascript]