How many hours can I work per week as an international student in Ireland and Germany during the academic term and holidays, and what specific visa permissions do I need?

The two countries look identical on the weekly number but diverge sharply on how holiday work is capped, which is the detail that actually determines how much you can earn across a full year.

What You Need to Actually Work Legally

• Ireland: Stamp 2 permission from an enrolment at an ILEP-approved course, plus a Personal Public Service number before you start any job.
• Germany: the residence permit itself grants the right to work within the limits above, so you generally do not need separate approval from the Federal Employment Agency, provided you stay inside the caps.

Where Students Get Caught Out

In Ireland, mid-term and Easter breaks do not qualify for the 40-hour holiday allowance, only the two fixed summer and winter windows do, so working full hours outside those dates breaches your Stamp 2 condition. In Germany, mandatory internships required by your degree curriculum do not count against the 140-day annual cap, but voluntary internships do, which trips up students who take on unpaid or low-paid placements without tracking the day count.

This Information Is Also Available On

Ireland's Immigration Service Delivery, student permission guidance; Germany's Federal Employment Agency, student work-rights guidance under the Residence Act.

My Advice

Track your German work days from day one, ideally in a simple spreadsheet, since the 140-day cap is calculated per calendar year and is easy to breach without noticing if you take a voluntary internship on top of a part-time job. In Ireland, plan holiday-heavy earning specifically around the summer and winter windows rather than assuming any break qualifies for the 40-hour rate.