What is a Werkstudent, and who can become one?

A Werkstudent (working student) is a social-insurance status for a job done by someone enrolled at a university alongside their studies – it is not a visa or a work permit. If the conditions are met, you are exempt from health, long-term care and unemployment insurance in that job and only pay your share of pension insurance (9.3 percent in 2026). You keep paying your own student health insurance separately.

#Who can be a Werkstudent?

• Students enrolled (immatrikuliert) at a German university, e.g. in a Bachelor's or Master's programme.
• You regularly work no more than 20 hours a week during the lecture period; hours at several employers are added together.
• You may exceed 20 hours for up to 26 weeks a year in the evening, at night, at weekends or during semester breaks. Lecture and break dates differ between universities – check your own academic calendar.
• If you are at a Studienkolleg or on a language course, clarify with your employer and your Krankenkasse whether Werkstudent status applies.

#The visa side is separate

With a non-EU student residence permit (§ 16b AufenthG), work is limited to 140 working days per year (Arbeitstagekonto, since 1 March 2024). Your Werkstudent job counts towards it; during the lecture period a week with up to 20 hours can count as 2.5 working days. So the 20-hour rule comes from social insurance and the 140 days from residence law – you need to respect both. HiWi jobs at the university do not count towards the 140 days.

#Applying

You apply directly to companies advertising Werkstudent positions; employers usually ask for your certificate of enrolment (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung). Pay depends on sector and company; the statutory minimum wage in 2026 is 13.90 € per hour.

More: HiWi vs Werkstudent · Student work rules and the 140 days