Working
Foreign students may work in Germany, even without a work permit. Yet, depending on where the student is coming from, different regulations apply.
Students from the European Union and EEC countries (with the exception of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary), as well as citizens of Switzerland may work unrestrictedly. Students who are not citizens of the EU (including the countries mentioned above) are allowed to work for 90 days or 180 half-days each year. Any work that exceeds this period must be approved of by the local branch of the federal work agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) via the local department for foreigners (Ausländerbehörde). This does not apply for student jobs at the university, such as research assistants, however. These are not liable to the 90 day /180 half-day restrictions.
Detailed information regarding rules and regulations on work permits in
Germany is available from the work agency, the department for foreigners and the
Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt).
