Is studying and working permitted? What international students in Germany need to know

Many international students face the question of whether and to what extent they are permitted to work alongside their studies during their stay in Germany. Employment, in this sense, refers to dependent work under the direction of a student (not self-employed). The following article provides a thorough overview of the legal framework and addresses its practical implications for students and employers.

Employment during studies: principle and scope

Foreign students are generally permitted to work during their stay in Germany – but only to a limited extent. This restriction is based on the purpose of their stay: their studies should be the primary focus. According to Section 16b Paragraph 3 of the Residence Act (AufenthG) in conjunction with Section 4a Paragraph 5 Sentence 1 of the Residence Act, they are permitted to work up to 140 full working days or 280 half days per year. Part-time work of up to 20 hours per week during the lecture period is permitted without the need for approval from the Federal Employment Agency. During the lecture-free period, students are also permitted to work more than 20 hours per week – provided they do not exceed the annual workload of 140 working days. With this new regulation, the legislature has implemented European legal requirements (cf. Article 24 Paragraph 3 of EU Directive 2016/801 – REST-RL ), which stipulates gainful employment of at least 15 hours per week.

Which activities count (or do not count)?

In addition to regular employment, there are some student jobs that are not counted toward the aforementioned working day account. These include work as student or research assistants at universities, in the student union, or in institutions related to studies—for example, working as a night watchman in a hospital for medical students. However, the scope of these activities must be such that they do not interfere with the student's studies or delay their completion.

Mandatory internships, which are an integral part of the course of study, are also not considered gainful employment in the legal sense (Section 15 No. 2 of the Employment Regulations ). They do not require approval and are also not counted toward the working day account.

Employment in special cases

In certain cases , self-employment or freelance work is also possible during studies. Pursuant to Section 21, Paragraph 6 of the Residence Act, this can be permitted as part of a supplementary condition to the residence permit. The immigration authorities will examine, at their discretion, whether the self-employment can still be classified as a secondary activity to the studies or whether it effectively displaces the primary purpose of the studies. Especially for freelance activities with low capital investment (e.g., IT services, translations), there are hardly any grounds for refusal in practice – provided the scope and economic importance are proportionate to the studies.

Special features for Turkish students

A special regulation arises from the EEC-Turkey Association Agreement (Article 6 of the ARB 1/80) . Turkish students who work continuously during their studies—for example, the legally permitted 240 half-days per year—can claim a permanent residence permit. The prerequisite is that the employment is not merely marginal but has a certain economic significance. Once a residence permit is granted in accordance with the ARB 1/80, the general restrictions for students no longer apply, and they may be entitled to an extension of their residence permit.

Conclusion: Opportunities and limitations for international professionals

The opportunity to work during studies is not only an important financial support for students, but also a significant starting point for later academic immigration . Those who gain professional experience in Germany while studying significantly improve their prospects for future employment and integration into the labor market.