Part-Time Work for Pakistani Students
Legal Work Rights and Opportunities
Finding a part-time job is a top priority for most Pakistani students in Germany. The good news is that the German government has expanded work rights to make it easier for you to support yourself while you study.
Part-Time Work for Pakistani Students
Legal Work Rights and Opportunities
Finding a part-time job is a top priority for most Pakistani students in Germany. The good news is that the German government has expanded work rights to make it easier for you to support yourself while you study.
Work Regulations at a Glance
140 Full Days / 280 Half Days
Annual work limit per calendar year.
20 Hours Per Week
Maximum during semester (unlimited during breaks).
€603 Monthly Limit
Tax-free Mini-Job threshold as of 2026.
€13.90 Per Hour
Statutory minimum wage as of January 2026.
General Work Regulations for Non-EU Students
As a student from Pakistan, you have specific legal limits on how much you can work per year without needing a separate work permit:
140 Full Days or 280 Half Days
You are permitted to work up to 140 full days (defined as 8 hours) or 280 half days (defined as 4 hours) per calendar year.
Weekly Limit During Semester
During the semester, you can work up to 20 hours per week.
Semester Breaks
During university holidays, you are allowed to work unlimited hours.
The "Mini-Job" (Marginal Employment)
A "Mini-Job" is a popular option for students because it is largely tax-free.
2026 Earnings Limit
Starting January 1, 2026, the monthly earnings threshold for a Mini-Job is €603.
Tax Advantage
If you stay under this limit, you typically do not have to pay income tax.
Pension Contributions
While Mini-Jobs are generally tax-free, small contributions to the German pension system are mandatory unless you specifically apply for an exemption in writing.
Minimum Wage and Working Hours
Germany has a strict statutory minimum wage that applies to everyone, including international students.
Current Rate (2026)
As of January 1, 2026, the minimum wage is €13.90 per hour.
This applies to all workers, regardless of nationality or student status.
Example Calculation
At €13.90/hour, you can work approximately 43 hours per month while staying within the tax-free Mini-Job limit of €603.
This allows you to earn €603 monthly while maintaining tax-free status.
Special Categories of Work
Certain types of work do not count toward your 140-day/280-half-day limit:
Academic Assistant (HiWi)
Working as a research or student assistant at your university is not subject to the 140-day limit.
Mandatory Internships
If an internship is a required part of your degree program, it does not count toward your working limit.
Important Rules to Remember
Self-Employment
As a non-EU student, you are generally not allowed to work as a freelancer or be self-employed without explicit permission from the local Foreigners' Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde).
APS Certificate
Ensure your APS certificate is valid, as employers may ask for it during the hiring process to verify your academic background.
Language Skills
While many "English-only" jobs exist (especially in delivery or warehouse work), knowing basic German (A2/B1) significantly increases your chances of finding better-paying "student trainee" (Werkstudent) roles in your field of study.