Working as a student: 140 days a year
Arbeiten im Studium
Students from outside the EU may work 140 full days a year; up to 4 hours a day counts as half a day.
The rule
With a residence permit for studying, you may work 140 working days a year without asking anyone. A day with up to 4 hours of work counts as half a day, so 280 half days are possible.
Jobs as a student assistant at your university (HiWi) and internships that are compulsory in your study programme usually do not count.
What you are allowed is written on your residence permit. If it says something different, that counts. Ask the foreigners' office (Ausländerbehörde) if you are unsure.
Working more than allowed can cost you your residence permit. Self-employment and freelance work need extra permission.
Keep your own list of the days you worked, with your payslips.
What it costs
| If you… | Fine or cost |
|---|---|
| Working more than allowed | a fine, and problems with extending your residence permit |
India vs Germany
In India, a part-time job has no day limit. In Germany, your student visa allows a fixed number of working days, and the foreigners' office checks it when you extend your permit.
German words for this
- der Aufenthaltstitel · residence permit
- die Ausländerbehörde · foreigners' office
- der Nebenjob · side job
- die Gehaltsabrechnung · payslip
- der Werkstudent · working student
Official sources
Last checked: 8 November 2026, against the official sources named on each page. General information for learners, not legal advice: rules can change and some depend on your state or city. If something matters for you, check the official source or ask the office.
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