If I do not get a job immediately, can I still do internships in Ireland/Germany?
Yes, you can still pursue internships in Ireland and Germany while job hunting. Germany's post-study job seeker permit, valid up to 18 months, generally allows temporary work including internships, and Ireland's Stamp 1G, valid 12 to 24 months, lets you work full time without a separate employment permit.
Yes, you can still take internships in Ireland or Germany even if a full time job has not come through yet, as long as your visa status supports it. Your exact options depend on whether you graduated locally or are applying from abroad.
Internship Rules By Country
| Country | Status | Internship Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Post-study job seeker residence permit, up to 18 months | Generally allowed to take temporary work including internships while job searching |
| Germany | Still enrolled as a student | Non-EU students can work up to 120 full days or 240 half days a year; mandatory program internships are usually exempt from this limit |
| Ireland | Stamp 1G, Third Level Graduate Scheme, 12 to 24 months | Can work full time, including internships, without a separate employment permit |
If You Did Not Study Locally
- In Germany, you would need a formal internship contract and work authorization through the Federal Employment Agency if applying from abroad without prior German study.
- In Ireland, general non-EU graduates who did not study locally face more restrictive Internship Employment Permit options, usually tied to a degree program elsewhere that requires the internship.
- An internship can convert into a full time role, so treat it as a genuine stepping stone rather than a filler activity.
- Always confirm your specific visa category allows temporary or training-based employment before accepting an internship offer.
My Advice
If you graduated in Germany or Ireland, use your job seeker or Stamp 1G window to line up an internship at a company you actually want to work for full time, since converting that internship into a permanent offer is usually far easier than a cold job application in a new market.
Will you actually get a job after your German master's?
Talk to a counsellor about real outcomes, salaries and which courses employers hire from.
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