Short answer
Health insurance for working students usually stays the student scheme. If you work at most 20 hours a week, you are exempt from health, long-term care and unemployment insurance in that job. Only pension insurance is compulsory. Of 1,000 euros gross, 758.91 euros remain after the pension contribution and student insurance, before tax.
How does health insurance for working students work?
According to the joint circular of the umbrella associations (version of 23 November 2016) the privilege applies if your studies come first. The limit is 20 hours a week, and the amount of pay does not matter. Several jobs are added together. Evening, night and weekend work can exceed 20 hours if your studies remain the main activity. In the lecture-free period more work is allowed, but if you work more than 20 hours for more than 26 weeks a year, the privilege ends.
The guide Werkstudent und Krankenversicherung (in German) shows the costs by age.
| Item | Value | As of | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly hours under the privilege | at most 20, pay level irrelevant | circular of 23 Nov 2016 | administrative practice | Joint circular |
| Exempt from | health, long-term care and unemployment insurance | circular of 23 Nov 2016 | administrative practice | Section 6(1) no. 3 SGB V, section 27(4) SGB III |
| Pension insurance | compulsory, contribution rate 18.6 percent | 2026 | official | Contribution rate notice 2026 |
| Marginal employment limit | 603 euros a month (2026), 633 euros (2027) | 2026 and 2027 | official | Section 8 SGB IV, Minijob-Zentrale |
| Transition range (midi job) | 603.01 to 2,000 euros a month | 2026 | official | Section 20 SGB IV |
| Student insurance from age 23, no children | 148.09 euros a month | 2026 | calculated | GKV-Spitzenverband, BMG |
What is left of 1,000 euros gross?
The 2026 calculation below uses an assumed monthly pay of 1,000 euros under the working student privilege, without children, from age 23, with the average additional contribution. Income tax is left out.
- Pension insurance, employee share. 1,000.00 times 9.3 percent equals 93.00 euros.
- Remainder. 1,000.00 minus 93.00 equals 907.00 euros.
- Student insurance. 148.09 euros, which you pay yourself.
- Remainder before tax. 907.00 minus 148.09 equals 758.91 euros.
If your pay stays up to 603 euros, it is a mini job with its own rules. If it falls in the transition range up to 2,000 euros and the privilege ends, deductions rise.
How to proceed
- Add up your weekly hours from all jobs.
- Keep to the 20-hour limit during the semester and document the lecture-free period.
- Give your employer your enrolment certificate every semester.
- If you work more than 20 hours for more than 26 weeks, check whether the privilege ends.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours may I work as a working student?
Up to 20 hours a week during the semester. More is possible in the breaks, but not above 20 hours for more than 26 weeks a year.
Do I pay pension insurance as a working student?
Yes, pension insurance stays compulsory. At a rate of 18.6 percent you bear half, which is 9.3 percent.
What changes above 20 hours a week?
The privilege usually ends and the job becomes subject to insurance. Your health fund checks the exact effects.
Is a mini job the same as a working student job?
No. A mini job stays up to 603 euros a month in 2026 and follows its own rules. The limit rises to 633 euros in 2027.
Sources
- Joint circular of the umbrella associations on employed students and interns, version of 23 November 2016. Check later versions.
- Contribution rate notice 2026, Gesetze im Internet.
- Minijob-Zentrale, mini job limit 2027.
- GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on 2026 contribution figures, as of 1 Jan 2026.
- Section 20 SGB IV, Gesetze im Internet, accessed 20 Oct 2026.
Related guides
- Werkstudent und Krankenversicherung (in German)
- Nebenjob und Steuern (in German)
- PKV für Werkstudenten (in German)
- Student über 30 mit Minijob oder Teilzeitjob (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
For a first look at your situation, use the online check (in German).
