Tips for International Students Searching for Jobs in Germany: FAQs and Links

#Student Job Search Tips in Germany

Searching for a job as a student in Germany can become easier with the right strategies. Here are some tips that can help you:

1. University Career Centers and Boards: Many universities have their own career services. These centers publish job advertisements specifically for students and provide support with preparing your CV and cover letter. Additionally, you can often find student job advertisements on the notice boards (Schwarzes Brett) on university campuses, especially for "HiWi" (Wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft) positions.
2. Online Job Portals:
   • General Job Portals: On platforms like Indeed.de, StepStone.de, and LinkedIn, you can search using keywords such as "Werkstudent", "Minijob", "Studentenjob".
   • Student-Specific Portals: Websites like Jobmensa.de and Jobruf.de offer job advertisements specifically for students.
   • Delivery Services: Food delivery platforms like Liferando (Lieferando) are quite popular among students due to their flexible working hours and relatively low language barrier. Many students, including those coming to Germany for Master's education, prefer to work for Liferando.
3. Networking: Connecting with your friends at university, your professors, or people you meet at events you attend can help you access "hidden" job advertisements. References and personal connections are important in Germany.
4. Direct Application: Places like retail stores, supermarkets (Aldi, Lidl, Rewe), cafés, and restaurants often look for student employees. Don't hesitate to go directly to places you are interested in with your CV and apply for a job.
5. CV and Cover Letter (Anschreiben): It is important to prepare a professional CV (Lebenslauf) and cover letter (Anschreiben) in German or English (depending on the language required for the job) for your applications. Including a photo on your CV is a common practice in Germany.

The job search process can take time, so be patient and don't hesitate to try different channels.

#Frequently Asked Questions

#Can I do a Teilzeit + Minijob during the semester with a student visa in Germany? Will there be a problem if I exceed the weekly 20-hour limit, as long as I don't exceed the 140 working days a year?

Yes, in Germany, with a student visa, you can do both Teilzeit (part-time) and a Minijob during the semester. Since 01.03.2024, the residence-law limit is not a weekly cap but your account of 140 working days a year: a day of up to 4 hours counts as half a day, and during the lecture period a week of up to 20 hours can be counted as 2.5 working days, whichever counting is more favourable. Hours and days from all your jobs count toward this account. The 20 hours per week during the lecture period is the social-insurance condition for Werkstudent status, and universities and authorities expect your education to remain your main priority. During semester breaks (Semesterferien), you can work more as long as your 140-day account is not used up. Exceeding the account can lead to serious problems with your residence permit, so it is important to keep careful track of your working days.

#I am going to Germany for Master's education, do I have a 20-hour work permit? And can I use it for Liferando?

Yes, international students going to Germany for Master's education have a work permit for up to 140 working days a year (Arbeitstagekonto; a day of up to 4 hours counts as half a day). During the lecture period, a week with up to 20 hours can alternatively be counted as 2.5 working days. You can easily use this work permit for delivery services like Liferando (Lieferando). Liferando is a very popular option among students due to its flexible working hours and generally requiring less German language knowledge.

#Have applications started for Germany's 200 Euro student aid package? Do you have any information?

The German government has previously offered various aid packages for students (e.g., 200 Euro energy aid) during periods like the energy crisis. However, such aids are usually specific to a certain period, and application dates and conditions can vary each time. As ApplyToGerman (AlmanyaUni), we cannot provide instant information regarding the current application status of a specific aid package. For up-to-date information on such aids, it is best to follow your university's Studierendenwerk, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), or the websites of the relevant Bundesländer.

#Can students do a Minijob in addition to their weekly 20-hour work right?

Yes, students can do a Minijob in addition to a Werkstudent job. The important point is that the 20-hour weekly limit is the social-insurance condition for Werkstudent status, not a separate residence-law weekly limit. Under residence law, the hours and days from all your jobs, including the Minijob, count toward your account of 140 working days a year (a day of up to 4 hours counts as half a day). So plan your working time so that your account lasts and your studies remain your main purpose. Furthermore, you should also ensure that the income you earn from the Minijob does not exceed the monthly Minijob limit (€603 in 2026), otherwise you might lose your Minijob status and have to pay social security contributions.

#I have to take a break from my Ausbildung, so if I show that I have a 20-hour per week job + a language course and my rent is 300 Euro, can I be exempt from showing a Sperrkonto or guarantor?

This situation is somewhat complex and directly related to student visa and residence permit conditions. Taking a break from your Ausbildung can affect your visa status. In Germany, a weekly 20-hour work permit is generally not granted while attending a language course; work permits are typically a right granted to university students. Exemption from showing a Sperrkonto or a guarantor (Verpflichtungserklärung) is usually possible by proving that you can fully cover your financial situation on your own. The income you earn from a 20-hour per week job might not be accepted by the foreigners' office (Ausländerbehörde) as sufficient financial security to replace a Sperrkonto or guarantor, especially if you are working under a language course visa. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on this matter, you should directly contact the foreigners' office (Ausländerbehörde) in your city.

#Student Job: Practical Links

After finding a job:

• Anmeldung Guide — Anmeldung must be completed before starting work.
• Cost of Living — City-based salary × living expenses balance.
• DAAD Scholarships — A scholarship might be more efficient than a job, see alternatives.

#Conclusion

Working as a student in Germany is a great opportunity to gain both financial independence and valuable professional experience. However, this process comes with certain rules and obligations. Especially mastering topics such as the Germany student job 20 hours rule, taxation, and health insurance will make your life in Germany easier and help you avoid legal problems.

Every student considering working as a Minijob or Werkstudent should carefully research the legal limits, tax obligations, and effects on health insurance before choosing the most suitable working arrangement for their situation. Remember, with the right information and preparation, you can succeed in your study and work life in Germany.

For more information and up-to-date guides regarding your education and work life in Germany, continue to follow ApplyToGerman (AlmanyaUni)! We wish you success!