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STUDYING IN GERMANY

Reader question: Can you work in Germany on a student visa?

A German student visa allows the holder to stay in the country during their studies and take on part-time employment, but there are limitations. The Local takes a look at what work is and isn't permitted on a student visa.

Published: 2 February 2024 14:55 CET
Students at an introductory event at the Ludwig Maximilians University (LMU in Munich.
Students at an introductory event at the Ludwig Maximilians University (LMU in Munich. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Peter Kneffel

Germany has steadily gained popularity as a study destination in recent years. Last year, Germany was host to more than 450,000 international students. That’s up ten per cent from the year before, and up 50 per cent in ten years, according to data gathered by Wissenschaft Weltoffen.

The main reasons students cite for choosing Germany are free or affordable education, affordable cost of living, and an excellent higher education system.

Germany also offers a number of scholarship opportunities, including the DAAD Scholarship Programme, Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships, or DeutschlandStipendium National Scholarship, to name a few. Students seeking scholarship opportunities can get started with this list of scholarships for international students compiled by “Study in Germany.”

READ ALSO: The top German cities for international students in 2024

Among the top countries of origin for international students in Germany are China, India, Syria and Austria.

What it takes to get a student visa

Student visa applicants have a relatively high success rate, provided applicants have all the necessary documents – and yes, there are a lot of required documents.

Applying for a student visa in Germany requires: 

  • A completed application form
  • Valid Passport
  • Biometric photos 
  • An acceptance letter from a German university
  • Proof of financial resources (either a blocked account with about  €11,000, or a guarantee from a financial supporter called a ‘Angaben zur Verpflichtungserklärung’)
  • Letter of Motivation
  • CV
  • Proof of health insurance 
  • Proof of language skills (either English or German, depending on your course of study)
  • Certificates for past degrees 
  • Application fee (€75)

After arriving in Germany, international students typically have 90 days to gather all of the above documents and schedule an appointment with the visa office ‘Bürgeramt’ to apply for their student visa.

Many universities offer visa services to their students, and some will even help make appointments at the Bürgeramt on students’ behalf.

Employment on a German student visa 

A student visa allows one to reside in Germany for the expected duration of their studies and also to work, but with some limitations.

The main limitation on student visas, regarding employment, has to do with how much someone is allowed to work. The idea behind these limits is to encourage students to focus on their studies, rather than work, while still allowing them to earn a modest income to support themselves. It may also be intended to prevent foreign workers from using student visas to stay in the country.

Interestingly, EU nationals are limited to 20 hours of work per week during the semester, whereas students coming from outside the EU are limited to either 120 full days or 240 half days per year. (With a full day being eight hours, and a half day being four, this averages out to 20 hours per week.) Additionally, one cannot exceed 20 working hours during study periods, but can work more during study break periods – provided annual limits are not exceeded.

Students need to be mindful not to exceed these limits as penalties for working beyond a students’ legal capacity may include fines or even the loss of your student visa.

While keeping track of these limits may sound a bit complicated, most jobs that are readily available to students are designed not to exceed legal limits. For example, some German companies offer ‘working student’ positions, which are essentially part-time entry level positions that won’t go above students’ weekly or yearly working limits.

Alternatively, some students work ‘minijobs’ or ‘midijobs.’ Students may also take on paid or unpaid internships, or even self-employed or freelance work. But keep in mind that self-employment requires one to keep track of their own work limits. Unpaid volunteer work is not limited on a student visa.

If you’re looking for more information on applying for a German student visa, check out some helpful sites such as the Schengen Visa Info site.

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READER QUESTIONS

EXPLAINED: Do I have to declare income from foreign sources on my German tax return?

If you're a resident in Germany, you will typically have to declare and pay tax on your worldwide income. But there may be some exceptions in certain cases.

Published: 3 May 2024 11:11 CEST
EXPLAINED: Do I have to declare income from foreign sources on my German tax return?

If you’re filling in a German tax return, you are generally legally required to declare and pay tax on all income you earn – wherever in the world you earn it. This is true even if you keep the money abroad.

In most cases, your worldwide income is subject to what’s called “unlimited tax liability” – which means that there’s no exemptions or discounts on your taxes for money earned abroad – whether its from work or capital gains like the sale of stocks. This is generally even true if Germany doesn’t have a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) with the other country in question.

If, however, Germany does have a DTA – some of your tax might end up getting limited in Germany. This is generally providing that you’ve paid it in the other country.

For example, the US may apply a withholding tax to payments made to you for freelance services you provide in the US, for example. In this case, the DTA between Germany and the US would allow you to submit documentation proving that you’ve already paid tax on this payment in the US. That’ll prevent you from having to pay tax again in Germany on the amount that actually gets wired to your account.

READER QUESTION: How can I find a German tax advisor?

Who has a double taxation treaty with Germany?

Germany has concluded double taxation agreements with numerous – but not all – countries and territories. You can check out the German government’s dropdown menu here to see which countries are on the list.

German residents earning money in other EU countries should still check this list, as certain tax provisions may be unique to the two countries in question.

READ ALSO: Everything you need to know about paying taxes in Germany

What about rental income?

As a general rule, rental income is taxed in the country where the property is located, meaning you don’t have to declare or pay it in Germany. There are some notable exceptions – for example if the property is located in Spain. In this case, you would report this income in Germany.

What about inheritance?

Some double taxation agreements have clauses that specifically govern what tax rules there are around inheritance that a German resident might get from abroad.

In general, the inheritor will still have to pay inheritance tax in Germany, but could see their tax liability reduced if tax already has to be paid abroad.

There are also other exceptions possible, such as if a child receives a property in their parent’s will and then proceeds to live in it for at least 10 years after they acquire it. In this case, they may not need to pay any tax on it.

In certain complicated cases – or if you have any doubt – it may be a good idea to seek out the services of a professional tax advisor who can make sure you don’t get in trouble with the Finanzamt (tax office). 

READ ALSO: Do foreigners owe tax in Germany on money that is inherited from overseas?

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