Student jobs and Werkstudent positions are one of the most effective entry points into the German job market. They provide income, real work experience, and—most importantly—system familiarity, which employers value highly after graduation. This page explains where to find these jobs, how they differ, how contracts and salaries work, and what international students must watch out for legally.
Student Jobs vs Werkstudent: What’s the Difference?
Before searching, it’s essential to understand the distinction.
Student Jobs (Minijob / Part-time)
• Usually non-academic or semi-skilled
• Examples: retail, warehouse, service, office support
• Weekly hours: flexible
• Often unrelated to your field of study
Werkstudent Positions
• Directly related to your field of study
• Examples: engineering support, IT development, data analysis, business operations
• Strongly valued by German employers
• Often a pipeline to full-time jobs
Key difference:
Werkstudent roles are considered training-integrated employment, not just casual work.
Where to Find Student Jobs & Werkstudent Positions
Online Job Platforms
• LinkedIn – best for Werkstudent roles in IT, engineering, business
https://www.linkedin.com
• Indeed Germany – wide range of student and part-time jobs
https://www.indeed.de
• StepStone – more formal Werkstudent positions
https://www.stepstone.de
Use keywords like:
• “Werkstudent”
• “Working Student”
• “Studentische Hilfskraft”
• “HiWi” (university-based roles)
University Channels (Highly Recommended)
Most universities offer internal job portals:
• Career service websites
• Faculty mailing lists
• Notice boards
• Professors’ research group pages
These roles often:
• Have lower competition
• Be more flexible with schedules
• Understand exam periods
Company Career Pages
Many companies advertise Werkstudent roles only on their own websites.
Tip:
Search Google with:
Company name + Werkstudent + city
This works especially well for:
• Medium-sized companies (Mittelstand)
• Research-oriented firms
• Regional employers
Contracts & Working Time Rules
Working Hours During the Semester
For international students:
• Maximum 20 hours per week during the semester
• Exceeding this can affect your student status and insurance
During semester breaks:
• Full-time work is usually allowed for limited periods
Contract Types
• Minijob: up to a fixed monthly income threshold
• Part-time student contract: hourly-based
• Werkstudent contract: usually hourly, field-related
Werkstudent contracts typically last:
• 6–12 months
• Sometimes extended until graduation
Salary Expectations
Approximate hourly wages:
• Student jobs: €12–15/hour
• Werkstudent (technical fields): €15–22/hour
• Highly specialized roles (IT, data): sometimes higher
Factors affecting pay:
• City and region
• Company size
• Skill scarcity
• Your study level (Bachelor vs Master)
Do not expect “shortage” wages as a student—Werkstudent value grows over time.
Social Security & Taxes
Werkstudent Privilege
Werkstudents usually:
• Pay pension contributions
• Do not pay unemployment or health insurance through payroll
• Stay insured via student health insurance
This makes Werkstudent positions financially efficient for both sides.
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Taxes
• Income tax may be withheld
• Many students receive refunds after filing a tax return
Legal Rules for International Students
Key points:
• Your residence permit limits working hours
• Werkstudent positions count toward work limits
• Self-employment is usually not allowed
• Exceeding limits can cause serious residence permit issues
Always check:
• Residence permit wording
• Zusatzblatt (additional sheet)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applying Too Late
Werkstudent roles are often filled:
• Months in advance
• Through internal referrals
Start early—even before you “feel ready”.
Treating Werkstudent Jobs as Temporary
Employers often view Werkstudent positions as:
• Long-term trial phases
• Potential graduate pipelines
Lack of commitment is noticed.
Ignoring Contracts & Hour Limits
Exceeding legal limits can:
• Invalidate student insurance
• Trigger issues with immigration authorities
Always clarify before signing.
Reality Check
• Werkstudent positions are competitive
• Field relevance matters more than job title
• Location flexibility increases chances
• Experience compounds—first role is the hardest
For many international students, the first Werkstudent job matters more than the final thesis topic.