Balancing work and studies can be challenging — but also very rewarding. Many of our students work alongside their studies to gain practical experience, build skills, and support themselves financially.
Since 2024, students in Germany are generally allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the lecture period. During semester breaks, this limit does not apply.
For international students with a residence permit:
These rules are still valid in 2026.
Working more than this requires approval from the Federal Employment Agency.
Important:
Freelancing or self-employment is not automatically allowed. Your residence permit usually only covers employed work.
If you want to freelance, you must apply for special permission from the immigration authorities.
More official information:
https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/int/en/for-people-from-abroad/internships-holiday-jobs-for-student
There are different ways you can work while studying:
Werkstudent (working student)
Jobs related to your field of study.
Student assistant (HiWi)
University-based roles (research, teaching, admin).
Campus jobs
Library, IT, or student services.
Retail & hospitality
Cafés, restaurants, shops.
Tutoring / teaching
High demand, especially for English.
Temporary jobs
Short-term and flexible roles.
For a brief overview:
https://www.hs-fresenius.com/international/working-in-germany/
Our Career Development team is here to support you.
You can:
More information:
https://studyplus.hs-fresenius.de/en/career-development/
Ask people
Friends, classmates, and your network are often the fastest way to find opportunities.
Use platforms
You can also search for English-speaking jobs, especially in larger cities.