Many international students want to earn money while they study in Germany, and most can do so within clear limits. Your nationality and your residence permit decide how many days you may work, while the mini job limit and the student employee rules apply to everyone. This guide explains the 140-day rule for students from outside the EU, the 2026 and 2027 mini job limits and how taxes work on student income.
In short: Students from outside the EU with a residence permit for study may work up to 140 full working days or 280 half working days per year (section 16b of the Residence Act). A mini job may earn up to 603 euros per month in 2026 and 633 euros in 2027. Working students keep their insurance privileges for up to 20 hours a week.
Key points in brief
- Students from outside the EU with a student residence permit can work up to 140 full working days or 280 half days per year.
- Your residence permit may contain its own note on work. Read it before you accept a job.
- The mini job limit is 603 euros per month in 2026 and rises to 633 euros in 2027.
- Working students who stay within 20 hours a week keep their privileges for health, long-term care and unemployment insurance.
- Student income is taxed only above the basic allowance, which is 12,348 euros for 2026.
How does the 140-day rule work for international students?
The rule is set in section 16b of the Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz, AufenthG). Students from outside the EU may work up to 140 full working days per year. Employment of up to four hours on a day counts as a half working day, so the same limit can also be reached with 280 half days. EU citizens are not subject to this rule, because they have free access to the German labour market.
The provision also allows an alternative count by the week. Under this count, part-time work in one calendar week is counted as 2.5 working days, and during lecture periods it is measured against a limit of 20 hours per week. The provision also says that certain student side jobs are not counted. Because the wording matters, check your residence permit and the exact text with your local Ausländerbehörde.
| Rule for students from outside the EU | Limit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full working days per year | Up to 140 days | Section 16b AufenthG |
| Half working days (up to four hours a day) | Up to 280 half days | Section 16b AufenthG |
| Part-time work counted by calendar week | 2.5 working days per week | Section 16b AufenthG |
Keep your own running count of working days. A simple table with the date, the hours and the day type is enough. If your count comes close to the limit, ask your Ausländerbehörde before you accept another shift.
What is the mini job limit for students in 2026 and 2027?
A mini job (Minijob) is employment in which you earn no more than the monthly earnings limit. The limit is 603 euros per month in 2026, which is 7,236 euros per year. From 1 January 2027 it rises to 633 euros per month. The figure is derived from the statutory minimum wage, which means that a wage increase raises the limit automatically. Above the limit, the job becomes a regular job with social insurance contributions.
| Figure | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Mini job limit per month | 603 euros | 633 euros |
| Statutory minimum wage per hour | 13.90 euros | 14.60 euros |
| Short-term employment, per calendar year | Up to 3 months or 70 working days | Up to 3 months or 70 working days |
Assumption: you work 60 hours in a month at the 2027 minimum wage of 14.60 euros. That gives 876 euros, which is above the 633 euro limit, so the job would no longer count as a mini job. Keeping the monthly total below the limit is therefore a simple planning task, and the minimum wage makes the rule easy to check.
How do working students keep their insurance privileges?
Working students (Werkstudenten) are students with a regular job who work up to 20 hours a week. Under the joint circular of the statutory insurance bodies, they are exempt from health, long-term care and unemployment insurance, while pension insurance remains compulsory. Above 20 hours a week the privilege ends. Exceptions exist for evening, night and weekend work, where the study still predominates.
During semester breaks you may work more than 20 hours a week. If you exceed 20 hours a week for more than 26 weeks in a year, however, the privilege ends. Several jobs are added together, so a second job can change your status. Our guide on the student job 20-hour rule explains the pension and semester break details in full.
Do you pay income tax on a student job?
Your income is taxed only if your taxable income exceeds the basic allowance (Grundfreibetrag), which is 12,348 euros for 2026 under section 32a of the Income Tax Act (EStG). Every employee also receives a flat deduction for work-related costs (Arbeitnehmer-Pauschbetrag) of 1,230 euros for 2026 under section 9a EStG. A higher basic allowance for 2027 is planned, but it is not yet law.
Assumption: you earn 900 euros per month in a regular student job for twelve months, which is 10,800 euros per year. After the 1,230 euro deduction, 9,570 euros remain. That is below the 2026 basic allowance of 12,348 euros, so no income tax is due on this income alone. This is a simplified example. Other income, such as a scholarship or a second job, can change the result, and the rules for your tax return should be checked in your specific case.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need permission before I start a job?
Check your residence permit first. Some permits state the work conditions explicitly, and others refer to the general rules. If your permit does not allow work, or if you are unsure about the wording, ask your Ausländerbehörde before you start. Starting a job without the right permission can cause problems with your residence status later.
Does a student job change my health insurance?
A mini job usually does not change your statutory student insurance. A regular job with more hours can, however, change your insurance status. Working students who stay within the 20-hour limit keep their privileges. Ask your health insurer before you start a job with more than a few hours a week.
What happens if I exceed the 140 days?
Working more than permitted can have consequences for your residence permit, including for a later extension. Keep your count up to date, and if you have exceeded the limit by mistake, contact your Ausländerbehörde quickly and explain the situation. Early contact is usually better than waiting for a letter.
Do I pay tax on a mini job?
Employers usually pay a flat tax on mini jobs, so you normally do not face a separate tax bill for that income. Your overall tax position still depends on your total income for the year. If you have several jobs or a scholarship, it is worth checking your tax return with the tax office or a tax adviser.
What you can do now
- Read the notes on work in your residence permit and note any conditions.
- Start a simple calendar that counts full days and half days for your 140-day limit.
- Check the current mini job limit and plan your monthly hours so that you stay below it.
- Tell your employer about your student status and provide the documents needed for your insurance.
- Keep your payslips and review your tax position at the end of the year.
Related guides
- Minijob or Student Job: Limits in Figures Compared
- Student Job 20-Hour Rule, Pension and Semester Breaks
- Part-Time Jobs and Taxes for Students in Germany
- Minijob Limit 2027 for Students
- Health Insurance for International Students: Public or Private
Sources: Section 16b Residence Act, AufenthG (current text) · Section 8 SGB IV, mini job limit (current text) · Minijob-Zentrale, limit for 2027 (status 2026) · BMAS, Fifth Minimum Wage Ordinance, 2026 and 2027 (status 2026) · Joint circular on student and intern employment (version 23.11.2016)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
