Many student workers sign a contract without checking each point. The German Proof of Terms Act (Nachweisgesetz, NachwG) sets out which information on working conditions must be recorded in writing. This guide lists the mandatory items, explains why working hours matter so much, and gives an outline you can use as a template.
Short answer: Section 2(1) of the Nachweisgesetz requires the employer to provide proof of the essential working conditions. The list contains 15 points, from the contracting parties and the job description to working time, pay, termination procedure and collective agreements. For the student privilege, the weekly working time matters as well, and the limit there is 20 hours a week. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points in brief
- The proof of working conditions is a separate document that you can ask for.
- The mandatory items are listed in section 2(1) NachwG and cover 15 points.
- The agreed working time belongs in the proof and helps decide whether insurance-free status applies.
- Probation, termination procedure and notice periods belong there too.
- A template is a guide, not legal advice.
Which details must the proof contain?
The table below lists the points that matter most for student workers. The numbering follows the law.
| No. | Item | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Name and address of the contracting parties | Check the details of employer and employee in full |
| 2 | Start of the employment | The start date must match the actual start |
| 3 | For fixed-term work, end date or foreseeable duration | Note a fixed term tied to a semester or project precisely |
| 4 | Place of work or freedom to choose it | Ask about home working or several sites |
| 5 | Short description of the work | Describe the tasks as concretely as possible |
| 6 | Length of probation, if agreed | Probation is part of the notice rules |
| 7 | Composition and amount of pay, due date, method of payment | List hourly pay, supplements and special payments separately |
| 8 | Agreed working time, breaks and rest periods | Enter the weekly hours that matter for the student privilege |
| 11 | Length of the annual paid leave | Compare with the holiday entitlement in a mini-job and student job |
| 14 | Termination procedure, notice periods, deadline for an action against dismissal | At least written form, check the periods |
| 15 | Reference to applicable collective agreements or works agreements | Ask whether a collective agreement applies |
The Act lists 15 items in the proof. Not all of them matter equally for every position, but missing points should be requested in writing.
Why working time matters so much
Weekly working time in a student job is not only a rota detail. For the student privilege, the limit of 20 hours a week applies. According to the joint circular on the social insurance treatment of students, several jobs are added together for this purpose. A post with 12 hours and a second post with 12 hours therefore make 24 hours and exceed the limit. More on this is in the article on several mini-jobs and student positions.
Outline for a template
A template is an outline that you fill with your own details. Replace the placeholders in square brackets with the values from your offer. The outline follows the mandatory items, so you can check that nothing is missing.
| Block | Content (placeholders) |
|---|---|
| Contracting parties | [Name and address of the employer], [name and address of the student worker] |
| Start and fixed term | Start on [date], fixed until [date] or for the length of the semester [semester] |
| Tasks and place | [Short description of the tasks], place of work [location or home-working arrangement] |
| Probation | [Length], if agreed |
| Pay | EUR [amount] gross per hour, paid on [date] of the following month |
| Working time | [hours] hours a week, breaks as required by the Working Hours Act |
| Leave | [number] working days of paid leave per year |
| Termination | Termination in writing, notice period [length], deadline for an action against dismissal [length] |
| Collective agreement | Reference to applicable collective agreements or works agreements, if any |
Fill in the amounts only once the details are known. A figure you cannot verify does not belong in the contract.
Worked example: two jobs and the hour limit
- Assumption: you work as a student assistant at one company for 12 hours a week, and in a second job for another 12 hours a week.
- Total: 12 plus 12 makes 24 hours a week.
- Comparison: 24 hours is above the limit of 20 hours a week.
- Result: in this combination, the student privilege no longer applies to the total of the jobs.
Frequently asked questions
Does a student job contract have to be in writing?
The proof is the document that the employer hands you about the working conditions. Ask for it if it is missing. Even without a written contract, the employer’s duties under the Nachweisgesetz still apply.
Is a template legally binding?
No. Templates are guidance. For a binding check of your contract, contact a legal adviser or the employer’s HR department.
Can I agree a probation period?
A probation period can be agreed. If it is, its length belongs in the proof (no. 6). It also affects the notice period, which is then two weeks.
What does the contract say about termination?
The proof contains the termination procedure, at least in written form, the notice periods and the deadline for an action against dismissal (no. 14). Check that these details are complete before you sign.
Common mistakes in the contract
- The weekly working time is missing or only given as a guideline.
- The hourly pay is stated, but supplements and special payments are not listed separately.
- The probation period is not named, although it was discussed.
- A reference to a collective agreement is missing, although one applies.
Gaps like these often only come to light with a termination or a pay statement. It is better to clarify them before you sign than to renegotiate later.
How to request the proof
If the employer does not hand over a proof, ask in writing. Name the position, the start date and the weekly working time so that the request is clear. Keep the reply. If the proof is still missing after a reasonable time, note the date of your request, because it belongs in your records.
What to do next
- Ask in writing for the proof of working conditions if it is missing.
- Check the list of mandatory items and mark missing or unclear points.
- Enter the weekly working time and compare it with your other jobs.
- Clarify collective agreements and leave before you sign the contract.
Related articles
- Minijob or Student Job: Limits in Figures Compared
- Student job: 20-hour rule, pension insurance and semester breaks (in German)
- Several mini-jobs and a student job: how the pay is added up
- Mini-job contract: mandatory details under the Nachweisgesetz (in German)
- Holiday entitlement in a mini-job and student job
Sources: Section 2 NachwG, proof of terms (gesetze-im-internet.de, in German, accessed November 2026); Joint circular on the social insurance treatment of students, 23 Nov 2016 (PDF by Techniker Krankenkasse, in German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
