As a non-EU student in Germany, how many days can I work without a separate work permit?
12 Oct 2026 · Answered by Edayachandiran Velmurugan · 1 min read
Quick Answer
verified
Under federal German rules, non-EU students can typically work up to 140 full days or 280 half days a year without a separate work permit. Check the official rules for your situation, since your city costs and university fees also affect how much you may need to earn.
Non-EU students can typically work up to 140 full days, or 280 half days, a year without a separate work permit. This comes from federal German rules and applies to students at universities such as KIT and TUM.
Work Allowance and Cost Comparison
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Work without a separate permit | 140 full days or 280 half days a year |
| KIT tuition (non-EU) | EUR 1,500 per semester (approx INR 1.63 L) |
| TUM tuition for bachelor's (non-EU) | EUR 2,000 or EUR 3,000 per semester (approx INR 2.17 L to 3.25 L) |
| TUM tuition for master's (non-EU) | EUR 4,000 or EUR 6,000 per semester (approx INR 4.34 L to 6.51 L) |
City Living Costs
- Karlsruhe: roughly EUR 700 to EUR 900 a month for essentials (approx INR 75,908 to 97,596).
- Munich: EUR 1,000 to EUR 1,300 a month is often a more realistic baseline, though it varies (approx INR 1.08 L to 1.41 L).
- Munich is Germany's most expensive city for students, so the cost gap affects how much you may need to earn.
My Advice
Track your working days carefully so you stay within the limit. Rules can change, so check the official German immigration and university pages for the latest position.
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