
Working student essentials
What this Legal working student role in Berlin means for you — the weekly-hours rules, social-contribution perks, and what international students should check before applying.
Weekly hours
Working students may work up to 20 hours a week during the semester and full-time during the breaks. Staying within this keeps your student status and the Werkstudent benefits.
Working student rulesSocial contributions
Under the Werkstudentenprivileg you're exempt from health, care and unemployment insurance contributions — only pension insurance applies. That leaves more net pay than a regular job.
Check your insuranceInternational students
Non-EU students can work 140 full or 280 half days per year (raised from 120/240 in March 2024). A working student contract usually fits within this — confirm the exact limits printed on your residence permit.
Studying in Germany