CareerCompass | Guidance & Information

Verkehrsschild© J. van der Wolf

Information about working in Germany

Whether it's an internship, part-time job, mini-job or voluntary work - set sail for your professional practical experience during your studies!
Have you heard about the EPS and internships abroad with Erasmus+? Find out about all your options at the International Office.

International students from countries outside the EU

  • max. 140 days or 280 half days per year
  • no restriction for student part-time jobs  such as ‘Hiwi-Jobs’ at the university
  • max. 20h/week during the lecture period (more possible during semester breaks after individual agreement with employer)

International students from EU countries

  • max. 20h/week during the lecture period (more possible during semester breaks after individual agreement with employer)
  • same regulations as for local students

-> Residence permit for the purpose of finding a job

(In Kiel, please make an appointment to visit the Immigration Office in person).

  • The residence permit is initially issued for 12 months and can be extended for a maximum of 6 months. (-> depends on your securing of livelihood)
  • You have 18 months from receiving your last exam result to find a job in the field of your qualifications. This period cannot be extended.
  • During your search, you can carry out any kind of work to secure your livelihood. There is no limit to your working hours as long as they are within the framework of German labour law.

Proofs you need for your appointment:

  • Valid passport 
  • Certificate of registration
  • Proof of graduation from a university (degree certificate, transcript or certificate from the educational institution)
  • For foreign university degrees: Notification of recognition or comparability of the university degree or a certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education  (ZAB)
  • Proof of valid health insurance
  • Proof of financial security for living expenses (e.g. employment contract and payslips, bank statements, declaration of commitment by a third party)
  • Current biometric photo

Ressources:

-> Residence permit for the purpose of taking up employment

(In Kiel, please make an appointment to visit the Immigration Office in person).

Proofs you need for your appointment:

  • Valid passport 
  • Current residence permit
  • Registration certificate
  • Tenancy agreement
  • Proof of valid health insurance
  • Current biometric photo
  • Original of the employment contract or binding job offer (the employment contract must show that the salary is sufficient to cover living expenses; will be checked by the Federal Employment Agency).
  • Original of the certificate of successfully completed university education
  • if applicable also:
    • Notification of recognition or comparability of the university degree
    • Certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)

Ressources:

 

-> Blue Card EU

(In Kiel, please make an appointment to visit the Immigration Office in person).

Proofs you need for your appointment:

  • Valid passport 
  • Current residence permit
  • Registration certificate
  • Tenancy agreement
  • Proof of valid health insurance
  • Current biometric photo
  • Original of the employment contract or binding job offer (the employment contract must show that the salary is sufficient to cover living expenses; will be checked by the Federal Employment Agency).
  • Proof of required minimum salary 43.759,80€ gross (university degree max. 3 years old)
  • Original of the certificate of successfully completed university education
  • if applicable also:
    • Notification of recognition or comparability of the university degree
    • Certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)

Ressources:

  • Check out our StartUp Office at Kiel UAS  and get free advice on all topics relating to start-ups and self-employment.
  • Website of the Federal Gouvernment of Germany: Visa for self-employment

Free CV checks – in English & German!
Please bring your résumé prepared in German.

Employment Agency

  • CAU campus: Thursday | 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Leibnizstr. 2, Juridicum, downstairs second door on the right side)
  • HAW campus: Every 1st & 3rd Thursday | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Sokratesplatz 1, Hörsaalgebäude, C2-0.50 entrance area, to the right)
  • Only during semester period
  • No appointment needed - just walk in!
  • If you prefer a different date, you can request an individual appointment by emailing Kiel.Berufsberatung@arbeitsagentur.de – just mention if you’d like the consultation in English

 

Welcome Center SH

  • every 1st Friday | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | No appointment needed!
  • Fabrikstraße 7, 24103 Kiel
  • No appointment needed - just walk in!

FAQ

Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions.

The days on which a voluntary internship is carried out also count towards the 140 full/280 half working days. However, compulsory internships for studies do not count.

In addition to the 140 full/280 half working days, the following types of employment are permitted: as a research or student assistant at the university, in the student services organization or in the student council (AStA), or employment closely related to your studies, e.g., at an institute. As long as your studies are not jeopardized, this activity can be carried out for an unlimited period of time. For freelance work, permission from the immigration office is required.

Anyone who works more than 20 hours per week is covered by health and long-term care insurance through their employer and is no longer covered by student health insurance or family insurance. Private health and long-term care insurance can then be canceled. Please note: This does not apply to temporary jobs lasting up to three months!

Anyone who takes up employment must always be registered with social security by their employer.
You will be sent a social security certificate, which also contains your pension insurance number.
If this certificate is not sent to you, you should contact the German Pension Insurance Fund.
People with mini-jobs (income up to €556 per month) can ask their employer to exempt them from pension insurance, which slightly increases their monthly net income.

 

The statutory minimum wage applies to all students.
It does not apply to compulsory internships and internships lasting less than three months.
Employees receive a monthly pay slip from their employer. This lists the hours worked, social security contributions, vacation days, and sick days. The pay slip should be kept as proof. It is also a good idea to check the information.

If you have any questions or need help, please contact Faire Integration Kiel, a free advice center for labor law in Germany.

Anyone working in Germany needs a tax identification number (tax ID). This is automatically sent by post a few weeks after registering your place of residence.
Income tax only has to be paid in Germany once the tax exemption limit (also known as the basic allowance) has been
exceeded. 
Anyone who is self-employed or exceeds the tax exemption limit must submit an income tax return. The “Elster” internet portal is available for this purpose: www.elster.de
For individual advice, students must contact a tax advisor (subject to a fee).

Social insurance contributions:

  • Health insurance, long-term care insurance, and pension insurance
  • must be registered by employers
  • are automatically deducted from salary

All employment activities pursued by the student are added together here. This means that the total working hours for all employers are added together.
The student loses their insurance exemption (“working student status”) if they work more than 20 hours per week.
Exceptions to this are: night and weekend work, as well as work carried out during lecture-free periods. These hours (during which they work more than 20 hours per week) are added together and may not exceed a total of 26 weeks per calendar year. Once this 26-week rule is exceeded, they must pay social security contributions. This is not based on earnings, but solely on the number of hours worked.

Tax: Anyone who is self-employed or exceeds the tax exemption limit (2025: €12,096) must submit an income tax return. The “Elster” internet portal is available for this purpose: www.elster.de

Important: Please inform all employers about other employment and the number of hours worked and clarify insurance status.

Here you can find all types of visa to enter Germany with explanation about the process: Types of visa

Take a look at our page Job fairs and Job portals. Here you will find events and links to make your job search easier.

International Office:

  • General questions about finding a job
  • Visa and residence permit

Independent counselling centers:

Career counselling by the city of Kiel:

Startup/ Company foundation:

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