A side job during the traineeship is not automatically forbidden, but it usually has to be reported. How much you may earn depends on state law, on your training and on social insurance limits. This guide sorts out the rules and shows where you need to ask.
Short answer: You must generally report side activities during the traineeship. Under the Federal Civil Service Status Act, approval is required only where official interests could be affected. For 2026, the earnings limit for mini-jobs is 603 euros per month as a social insurance threshold. Last updated: October 2026.
The most important points
- Side activities must generally be reported under section 40 of the Federal Civil Service Status Act (BeamtStG). Approval is required only where official interests could be affected.
- State law and the training authority determine how strict the rules are in your case, so ask before you start.
- The mini-job limit is 603 euros per month in 2026 and 633 euros in 2027. The statutory minimum wage rises to 14.60 euros gross per hour in 2027.
- The student work privilege (Werkstudentenprivileg) is tied to student status and generally does not apply during the traineeship.
- Self-employed side activities need their own check of tax and registration, regardless of the duty to report.
Do I have to report a side job during the traineeship?
Yes, as a rule. Under section 40 of the Federal Civil Service Status Act, side activities must generally be reported. Only where a side activity could affect official interests may it be subject to an approval or prohibition requirement. This depends on the individual case and on the rules of your state.
Report the activity before you start it. Anyone who starts a side activity without reporting it risks consequences under civil service law, even if the activity is harmless. Submit the report in writing and keep the proof of receipt.
Which limits apply to earnings and hours?
The limits for mini-jobs and the minimum wage are set by law and apply regardless of the traineeship. They help you estimate how much time a side job takes, but they do not decide whether it is allowed.
| Topic | Value 2026 | Value 2027 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini-job limit (monthly) | 603 euros | 633 euros | Section 8 SGB IV, mini-job office |
| Minimum wage (gross per hour) | 13.90 euros | 14.60 euros | Fifth minimum wage ordinance |
| Working students (per week) | 20 hours | 20 hours | Only for students, not for trainees |
Assumption: your hourly wage is 13.90 euros, the minimum wage in 2026. At that rate, the mini-job limit of 603 euros is reached at about 43 hours per month. At 14.60 euros per hour in 2027, the 633 euro limit is reached at about 43 hours as well. More hours lead to employment subject to social insurance contributions. Training also sets time limits that are not part of mini-job law.
Does the student work privilege apply during the traineeship?
As a rule, no. The student work privilege is tied to student status. The traineeship is a preparatory service, so the general rules for mini-jobs and side activities apply. In individual cases it is worth asking your health insurer or the body that handles your contributions.
It is also important to distinguish between a mini-job and regular part-time work. As long as the limit is kept, a mini-job generally carries no health, long-term care or unemployment insurance contributions. Higher earnings create contributions, and the question which health insurance applies must be checked again. Our guide on health insurance during the traineeship (in German) explains the basics.
What applies to self-employed side activities?
If you work freelance or as a business alongside the traineeship, you must report the activity and record it for tax purposes. The duty to report also applies if you only take on a few assignments. For the tax side, you need a tax identification number and must declare income in your tax return. An overview is in our guide on tax ID, wage tax card and side jobs.
We do not calculate income tax here. For net examples, refer to the tax calculator of the Federal Ministry of Finance (in German).
What belongs in the report?
Your training authority sets the exact form, and there is often a form to use. In practice, authorities ask for the type of activity, the client or employer, the expected number of hours per week or month, the pay and the period.
- The type and content of the activity, described as precisely as possible
- The client or employer with address
- The expected number of hours per week or per month
- The pay and the period for which the activity applies
If the hours or the pay change later, report the change as well. A side activity that has been reported is no blanket approval for later expansion.
Frequently asked questions
Is private tutoring allowed during the traineeship?
Tutoring is a side activity and must therefore be reported. Whether it is allowed is decided by the competent authority under state law. If you offer tutoring as a self-employed person, clarify your tax duties as well.
How high may my side earnings be?
According to the sources we checked, there is no general statutory maximum for side earnings during the traineeship. The mini-job limit is a limit of social insurance law. In practice, the training sets the boundaries, because it takes priority.
What happens if I do not report a side activity?
Then you breach your duties as a civil servant on revocable terms. The consequences depend on the individual case and can extend to a prohibition. If you forgot to report, submit the report immediately and speak with the payroll office.
Where can I get binding information?
The training authority, the payroll office and, in legal training, the competent higher regional court answer questions on side activities. Under section 5b of the German Judges Act (DRiG), the legal traineeship lasts two years, which further limits the time available for side work.
What to do now
- Check whether your activity counts as a side activity under state law, and ask the training authority for the rules of your state.
- Report the side activity in writing before you start and keep the proof.
- Keep your earnings below the mini-job limit if you want to stay free of social insurance contributions, and check this every year.
- Clarify tax duties and the effects on your health insurance before you expand the activity.
Related reading
- Earning money alongside university: which options pay off (in German).
- Tax ID, wage tax card and side jobs.
- Health insurance during the traineeship: GKV, PKV and benefit (in German).
- Teacher training in North Rhine-Westphalia 2026/27.
- The big guide for aspiring lawyers (in German).
Sources: Section 40 BeamtStG, gesetze-im-internet.de (retrieved October 2026); Section 5b DRiG, gesetze-im-internet.de; Section 8 SGB IV, gesetze-im-internet.de; Fifth minimum wage ordinance, Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
