Working alongside your studies or during the semester break
– But how do you find the right job?
There are many reasons why students should apply for a part-time job during their studies or for a holiday job during the semester break:
- If the application for BAföG was rejected
- If the parents cannot or do not want to provide financial support
- If you want a higher standard of living than would be possible with BAföG or scholarships
- If a stay abroad is planned during your studies and you don't have the necessary change
However, it is not that easy to find a suitable job that you can do while studying. There are also a few things you should consider when it comes to insurance and taxes if you want to work while studying.
How students find the right part-time job
Basically, if you want to find a permanent part-time job while you're studying, you have to take the initiative yourself. You are sure to find a variety of part-time jobs in newspapers, on the university bulletin board and in online exchanges. If there is nothing suitable for you, we recommend that you send an unsolicited application to Hofmann Personal. The personnel service provider's experts are active throughout Germany and can refer you to suitable companies. Curious? Then go here to apply .
Three possible types of employment for students
Students who work alongside their studies have to take different insurance regulations into account than employees. In principle, you have three different job options during your studies:
- As an employee, you are marginally employed – i.e. on a 450 euro basis
- You earn more than 450 euros
- You limit your professional activity to the semester break
Option 1: Minor employment on a 450 euro mini-job basis
A mini-job is the easiest way to earn a little extra money. You are marginally employed and do not earn more than 450 euros during the lecture period. Such mini-jobs are offered in many areas, such as retail or warehouse work. Accordingly, they are not very academically demanding. But you have the advantage that you don't have to pay taxes - no matter how many hours you work a week. You are exempt from health, unemployment and nursing care insurance and only have to pay the pension insurance contributions. It is important that all special payments such as Christmas and holiday bonuses are added to your earnings. So if you receive 450 euros a month plus a Christmas bonus, you are no longer considered to be marginally employed.
Option 2: Job with an income of over 450 euros per month
As soon as you earn more than 450 euros per month as a student, you are subject to tax and pension insurance. The pension contribution in “mini jobs” of 450.01 to 850 euros depends on the wage level. You will also be excluded from statutory health insurance family insurance if you regularly earn over 450 euros per month. As a rule, you still don't have to pay any additional contributions for health, unemployment and nursing care insurance as long as your studies remain the focus. The law automatically assumes this if you work a maximum of 20 hours per week. Tip: A job that can be subordinated to the requirements of your studies - for example if you work at night, in the evening or on weekends - is ideal. Then, even if you work over 20 hours a week, you are often still exempt from insurance.
Option 3: Only work during the semester break
Some students decide to work exclusively during the semester break. In this case, regardless of what you earn, you do not have to pay any additional contributions for health, nursing care and unemployment insurance. If you are employed for up to 50 working days or a maximum of two months in a calendar year, you are also exempt from pension insurance. But you are still liable for taxes.
BAföG rejected? Job alongside your studies. We'll tell you what you need to pay attention to and where the best student jobs are.
