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Arbeitstagekonto

1 storyUpdated 9 October 2026, 09:51 UTC

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Where things stand

DevelopingWorking while studying in Germany: the 140-day limit, how a week counts, and the official page that still says 120
Students with a German study permit may work up to 140 days a year. Each week counts under whichever of two methods is better for them.

A student residence permit allows paid work of up to 140 working days a year in total, counted on what the law calls a working-day account. Gesetze im Internet (Federal Ministry of Justice)
Under the second method, a calendar week of part-time work counts as two and a half working days, however the hours are spread. During the lecture period this applies only to weeks of up to 20 hours; outside the lecture period the law sets no such hours condition. Gesetze im Internet (Federal Ministry of Justice)
Those changes took effect on 1 March 2024. They raised the yearly limit for students from 120 days to 140, according to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. Bundesgesetzblatt (Federal Law Gazette), Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF)

1 March 2024Those changes took effect on 1 March 2024. They raised the yearly limit for students from 120 days to 140, according to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. Bundesgesetzblatt (Federal Law Gazette), Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF)
18 August 2023The rule comes from the Act to Further Develop Skilled Immigration, published in the Federal Law Gazette in August 2023, which rewrote the student work section of the Residence Act. Bundesgesetzblatt (Federal Law Gazette), Bundesgesetzblatt (Federal Law Gazette)

Germany

Developing

Students with a German study permit may work up to 140 days a year. Each week counts under whichever of two methods is better for them.

Changed: 9 Oct 2026Verified: 9 Oct 2026