Can we work as a foreign student in Germany?

Many of us want to work during their stay in Germany. Some want to have a work experience and others just need the money.

It is important that the study is not neglected. For the evaluation of social security, it is important that students be "duly registered" and registered. The study should be at the forefront and the student must devote himself mainly to the study.

During the semester, the workweek should not exceed 20 hours. There may be exceptions if you're working primarily during the weekends or in the evenings and night hours. This varies in the rest of the semester, during which there is no restriction of time.

According to immigration law, foreign students are allowed to work. The period is limited to 120 days or 240 days at halftime. This includes the preparation period during the first year of stay.

If, during the semester, the work does not exceed 20 hours a week, then there is no social security payment for the state health insurance, insurance state agency and state unemployment insurance.

However, as soon as the income exceeds 450 euros per month, they have to be made to the system of compulsory state pension contributions. Contributions are paid half by the employer and the employee.

The same rules apply even if the student works during the holidays, however, the 20-hour rule does not apply in this case.

During the semester, if the student works over 20 hours a week, then the contribution of social security become mandatory, unless the work is from the beginning for a maximum of two months, or is limited so students to work only on weekends or in the evening and night hours.

During the course of a year (which is 365 days in a row) in which you are working in a variety of jobs, anything above 20 hours per week in total or more than 26 weeks are completed, then the student is, technically, an employee. You lose the right to special student status and social security becomes mandatory.

With mini-jobs, wages are crucial. Income must be below 450 euros per month.

It is very important that in the assessment of social security, all positions adjacent low-wage work to join. If the limit of 450 euros is exceeded, then it would be not a mini job. If the study is still the main objective (main occupation), then only the contributions must be paid to the state pension scheme.

If the student has a state health insurance, then the employer must pay a fixed state health insurance and state pension insurance amount. For people who have private insurance or are insured through a travel medical insurance, the employer will not have to pay any health insurance premium.