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How to Find Part-Time Jobs in Germany as an International Student (2026-2027)

Pratik Jain, CEO8 min readLast updated 25 October 2026

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How to Find Part-Time Jobs in Germany as an International Student (2026-2027)

Last Updated: October 25, 2026

QUICK ANSWER: How do international students find part-time jobs in Germany? There are four main routes: student assistant (HiWi) jobs at your university, which do not count toward the 140-day limit; Werkstudent jobs at companies in your field; mini-jobs up to €603 a month; and mandatory internships. Apply for HiWi jobs in your first weeks, build a German-style CV, and learn German to at least B1, which opens far more jobs.

Knowing the rules is half the job. The other half is getting hired. This guide explains the four kinds of student work in Germany, where to find each one, what German level you need, and how much work you can take on without hurting your studies.

For the legal limits, pay, mini-job rules and tax, read our companion guide: part-time job rules, pay and tax for Indian students.

What kinds of student jobs are there?

Type	Where	Counts toward 140 days?	Best for
HiWi (student assistant)	Your university: a professor, lab or department	No	Research experience, references, thesis contacts
Werkstudent (working student)	A company, in a job related to your studies	Yes	Industry experience and a route to a full-time job
Mini-job	Shops, restaurants, delivery, events	Yes	Simple extra income, up to €603 a month in 2026
Pflichtpraktikum (mandatory internship)	A company, if your study regulations require it	No	Full-time experience, often linked to the thesis

The minimum wage is €13.90 an hour in 2026 and €14.60 from 1 January 2027.

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How do I get a HiWi job?

A HiWi supports a professor or research group with research, programming, lab work, tutorials or admin. The pay follows the university's scale. You build relationships with the people who later supervise your thesis and write your references.

Where to look:

Method	What to do
University job board	Check your faculty's job postings (Stellenangebote) every week
Professors and research groups	Write to groups whose work fits your skills, with your CV and transcript
Department office	Ask the office (Sekretariat) whether positions are open
Lectures and tutorials	Do well, ask good questions, go to office hours

A short email that works:

Dear Professor [Last name],

I am a [first] semester Master's student in [Programme]. I read your group's work on [topic], and it connects to my project on [project] at [Indian university], where I used [tools] to [result].

I would like to work as a student assistant (HiWi) in your group. I have attached my CV and transcript. Could we meet briefly to discuss whether there is an opening?

Kind regards, [Name], [Matriculation number], [Email]

Tip

Send it early in the semester, when groups plan their budgets. Mention one specific thing from their work, and keep it under 150 words.

How do I get a Werkstudent job?

A Werkstudent works part-time at a company, usually up to 20 hours a week during the semester and more in the breaks, in a role related to their studies. It is the strongest addition to your CV, and many companies use it to find future full-time hires.

Where to look:

Platform	Use it for
Company career pages	Filter by "Werkstudent" or "Working student"
LinkedIn	Applications and recruiter contact
StepStone.de and Indeed.de	Large German job boards, search "Werkstudent"
XING	German professional network, used by many smaller companies
University career service	Postings, CV checks and job fairs

What helps you get hired:

A German-style CV (Lebenslauf): one to two pages, clear dates, a professional photo is common but optional
A short cover letter tied to the job, not a copy of your SOP
German: many IT roles work in English, but most other roles expect B1 to B2
Relevant projects listed with tools and results

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Reach A1 to B2 with our German classes in Bangalore, before and during your studies.

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Which mini-jobs suit students?

Job	German needed	Notes
Food delivery	Little	Flexible hours, check whether it is employment or self-employment, because self-employment needs approval
Supermarket and retail	Basic, about A2	Early morning or evening shifts
Restaurant and café	Basic to intermediate	Evenings and weekends, tips
Events and trade fairs (Messe)	Basic	Short, intense periods
Library or campus jobs	Intermediate	Often posted by the university

A mini-job pays up to €603 a month in 2026, about 10 hours a week at minimum wage, usually without tax or social insurance deductions.

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What about the mandatory internship?

If your study regulations require an internship (Pflichtpraktikum), it does not count toward the 140 days, and it is often full time for 3 to 6 months. Pay varies by company. Many students write their Master's thesis at the same company afterwards.

When	Advantage	Watch out for
After the 2nd semester	Early experience, helps you choose a thesis topic	Less coursework behind you
After the 3rd semester	Good balance of theory and practice	Can delay graduation if the thesis follows
With the thesis	Thesis and internship in one company	Needs a supervisor at the university who agrees

What German level do I need?

Job	German usually needed
HiWi in an English-speaking research group	Often none, B1 helps
Werkstudent in IT or data	Often English is enough, B1 helps
Werkstudent in other fields	B2
Retail and restaurants	A2 to B1
Delivery	Little

Start German before you fly. A1 or A2 on arrival makes your first job search much easier.

How much should I work?

Hours a week	About per month at €13.90	Effect on studies
8-10	€480-€600	Low. Good for the first semester
12-15	€720-€900	Manageable for most students
16-20	€960-€1,200	Demanding, especially in exam periods
More than 20 in the semester	Not recommended	Puts your studies and your student insurance status at risk

Your first semester is for settling in, German and getting through exams. Many students start with a HiWi or a small mini-job and move to a Werkstudent role from the second semester.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find a part-time job in Germany without German?

Yes, mainly HiWi jobs in English-speaking research groups, some IT and data Werkstudent roles, and delivery jobs. Most other jobs expect at least A2 to B1, so learning German widens your options a lot.

What is the best part-time job for international students in Germany?

For your career, a Werkstudent job in your field. For academic contacts, a HiWi job, which also does not count toward the 140-day limit. For simple extra income, a mini-job.

When should I start looking for a job?

HiWi positions are often filled early in the semester, so start then. For Werkstudent jobs, start after you have settled in, usually in your first or second semester, with a German-style CV ready.

Does a Werkstudent job count toward the 140 days?

Yes. Only HiWi jobs at your own university and mandatory internships are not counted.

Can my spouse work in Germany while I study?

Spouses who join you on a family reunion residence permit are generally allowed to work. Check the permit that is issued.

Will part-time work help me get a job after graduation?

It does not change the 18-month job search permit, which depends on your degree. But German work experience, references and contacts make the search much faster.

Planning your Master's in Germany?

Read the work rules, pay and tax guide, and use the free German University Shortlister to find programmes in cities with strong job markets.

Pratik Jain

Study Abroad Strategist

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