
EU/EEA citizens can work in Germany without any permit. Watch the limit, though: if you work more than 20 hours a week during the semester, you have to pay social security contributions like a regular employee.
Students from outside the EU/EEA may work 140 full days or 280 half days a year, or up to 20 hours a week during the lecture period, without approval from the Federal Employment Agency. Jobs as a student assistant at a university do not count towards this limit. Self-employment needs the approval of the foreigners' authority.
You can find jobs for students at your university's careers service and at the Studierendenwerk. Jobs for researchers are listed on EURAXESS.
Sources: European Commission – Study in Europe (education.ec.europa.eu/study-in-europe), Eurostat, official national study and residence portals and authorities, Eurodesk, enic-naric.net, studentnews.eu. As of September 2026.