As an international master's student in Germany, how many hours per week can I work part-time during the semester, and what are the approximate hourly earnings for common part-time roles?
Masters students in Germany can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester under the 140 full day or 280 half day annual cap, with Werkstudent roles in fields like IT and engineering paying 15 to 25-plus euros an hour against Germany's 13.90 euro national minimum wage.
The 20 hour weekly figure is really a practical reading of Germany's annual day based work rule rather than a separate legal limit, so it is worth understanding both together before you commit to a job schedule.
Hours Allowed
- During the semester: up to 20 hours a week keeps you comfortably within the annual cap and your student health insurance category.
- Annual cap: 140 full days or 280 half days a year, a full day meaning up to 8 hours and a half day up to 4 hours.
- Semester breaks: full time work, up to 40 hours a week, is generally possible without exceeding the annual limit.
What Different Student Jobs Pay
- Minijob roles such as retail, cafes, or delivery: pay at or near the 13.90 euro national minimum wage, tax free up to the monthly earnings threshold.
- University assistant (HiWi) roles: roughly 13.50 to 16.00 euros an hour for research or administrative support tied to your department.
- Werkstudent roles in IT, engineering, or business: roughly 15.00 to 22.00-plus euros an hour, and generally seen as the strongest resume builder for a masters student.
- Private tutoring: roughly 15.00 to 25.00 euros an hour, depending on subject and level.
Language and Tax Notes
Tech, engineering, and business Werkstudent roles frequently run entirely in English, while retail and customer facing jobs usually expect conversational German, typically B1 or B2. If your annual earnings stay under the tax free allowance, any tax withheld by your employer can be reclaimed by filing a German annual tax return.
This Information Is Also Available On
- Studierendenwerke (German Student Services), job regulations for international students
My Advice
Prioritize a Werkstudent role over a Minijob if your German is workable, even at a similar hourly rate, since the Werkstudent title on your resume carries real weight with German employers once you graduate and start job hunting. Keep a simple spreadsheet of days and hours worked from month one so you never accidentally cross the 140 day cap.
More expert answers
Yes, as an international master's student in Germany you can typically work up to 20 hours a week during the semester, which is the standard limit under the 140 full-day or 280 half-day yearly rule for student residence permits.
Typical Student Job Pay in Germany (2026)
| Job Type | Typical Hourly Pay |
|---|---|
| Retail, cafe, or basic service | EUR 13.90 to 15 |
| Warehouse or logistics | EUR 14 to 17 |
| University HiWi or student assistant | EUR 13.90 to 18 |
| Tutoring | EUR 15 to 25 |
| Technical working-student roles | EUR 16 to 25 or more |
What Else to Know
- Semester break: You can generally work more extensively once the lecture period ends.
- University-linked jobs: Certain academic assistant roles closely tied to your studies are not always counted against the same day limits.
- Monthly earnings: At 20 hours a week, EUR 13.90 an hour works out to roughly EUR 1,204 a month gross, before tax.
- Minijobs are separate: The EUR 603 a month Minijob earnings limit is a different rule from the 20-hour student-work cap.
My Advice
Target working-student or HiWi roles in your field over generic retail jobs where possible, since they typically pay several euros more an hour and add relevant experience to your CV, and confirm your exact day-limit balance with your university's international office before taking on a second part-time job.
Your work-hour limit in Germany as a non-EU master's student is 140 full days or 280 half-days a year, which works out to roughly 20 hours a week if you spread it evenly across the term. Student assistant jobs at your own university are exempt from this day limit entirely.
Work Hours and Monthly Earnings
| Hours per Week | Approx. Monthly Earnings at Euro 13.90/hour |
|---|---|
| 10 hours | Euro 602 gross |
| 15 hours | Euro 904 gross |
| 20 hours | Euro 1,205 gross |
Common Student Job Types
Werkstudent, working student, roles related to your field typically pay Euro 13 to Euro 20 an hour and often exceed the Minijob income cap, while Minijobs are capped at Euro 538 a month and HiWi, student assistant, positions at your university fall outside the 140-day limit altogether. Your actual take-home pay depends on your specific tax and social-insurance situation once you exceed the Minijob threshold.
My Advice
Look for a Werkstudent role in your field of study rather than a generic Minijob if you can, since it pays more per hour and often turns into a stronger reference or even a job offer after graduation. Track your working days carefully across the year, since exceeding the 140-day limit can put your student visa status at risk even if each individual week looks fine.
How much can you actually earn part-time in Germany?
See how part-time work fits into your total budget and visa funds.
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