A student part-time job does not automatically harm child benefit. During a first training or a first degree, the law sets no hour limit for work, and a mini-job is also harmless. After a first degree, that is for a second degree, your child may work at most 20 hours per week to keep child benefit. For family insurance, however, income counts, not the number of hours.
The most important facts at a glance
| Key fact | Value 2026 | Status and source |
|---|---|---|
| Mini-job limit | 603 euros per month | Official, § 8 SGB IV, as of 20 October 2026 |
| Income limit for family insurance | 565 euros per month | Official, § 10 SGB V |
| Hour limit after a first degree | 20 hours per week | § 32 para. 4 sentence 3 EStG |
| Child benefit per child | 259 euros per month | Official, § 66 EStG |
Which student part-time job is harmless for child benefit?
| Situation of the child | Child benefit | What you should note |
|---|---|---|
| First degree, mini-job | Harmless | Mini-job limit of 603 euros for family insurance |
| First degree, working student | No hour limit for child benefit | Studying must remain the focus |
| First vocational training with pay | No hour limit | Training must remain the focus |
| Second degree or second training | Up to 20 hours per week | Above that, child benefit lapses |
| No place at university, registered as job-seeking | Up to 21 years, without gainful employment | Registration with the employment agency required |
How does earnings affect family insurance?
Family insurance depends on income. If your child’s total income is above 565 euros per month, family insurance ends. With a mini-job, the limit of 603 euros per month applies instead. If your child earns more than this as a working student, they are insured in student health insurance (KVdS). A student part-time job therefore involves two things: the hours count for child benefit, and the income counts for insurance. The 20-hour working student rule during term time concerns the social insurance of the job, not child benefit.
Worked example: mini-job with 520 euros
- The child studies in a first degree and earns 520 euros per month from a mini-job.
- Child benefit: the mini-job is harmless, so 259 euros per month remain.
- Family insurance: 520 euros is below 603 euros, so the insurance continues, provided no further income is added.
- With a second job of more than 83 euros, total income exceeds the limit, and family insurance ends.
What about tax?
Earnings remain tax-free for the child as long as they stay below the basic allowance of 12,348 euros for 2026. The employee lump sum of 1,230 euros is taken into account in the tax return. An increase for 2027 has been announced, but the new amount is not yet set. More on taxes in side jobs is in Side jobs and taxes (in German).
How to proceed now
- Have your child write down monthly earnings before they take on a second job.
- Check the limits for family insurance and child benefit as soon as working hours change.
- Report changes to the family benefits office if the hour limit is exceeded.
- Use the child benefit check and the family insurance check to see how the earnings affect you.
Frequently asked questions
Does a mini-job harm my child’s child benefit?
No, not during a first degree or first training. However, the mini-job affects family insurance, where the limit is 603 euros per month.
How many hours may my child work as a working student?
For social insurance, the limit is 20 hours during term time. For child benefit, there is no fixed hour limit during a first degree, but after a first degree the limit is 20 hours.
Does the hour limit also apply to training?
During a first vocational training, there is no hour limit for child benefit. Only after a completed first training does the 20-hour limit apply.
Does my child stay in my family insurance if they have a side job?
Yes, as long as total income stays below 565 euros per month, or below 603 euros for a mini-job. Above that, family insurance ends.
Sources and review
- § 32 para. 4 EStG (child benefit, employment), gesetze-im-internet.de, accessed 20 October 2026.
- § 8 SGB IV (marginal employment), § 10 SGB V (family insurance), gesetze-im-internet.de, accessed 20 October 2026.
- Joint circular on the compulsory insurance of employed students, 2016 version.
- Basic allowance 2026 (§ 32a EStG) and employee lump sum (§ 9a EStG), gesetze-im-internet.de.
This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
Editorial team: Academycon · Last updated: October 2026
For a first assessment of your situation, use the Online check.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
