With the language course visa (§ 16f AufenthG), working in Germany is generally not permitted. The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) allows up to 20 hours per week. The student visa (§ 16b) allows 140 full days or 280 half days per year. EU citizens can work without restrictions. This guide explains the exact rules for each visa type, which jobs are realistic, how taxes work — and what happens if you cross the lines.
Before you look for a job, you need to know what your visa allows. This table covers the four most common situations:
| Visa Type | Legal Basis | Work Permitted | Weekly Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language course visa | § 16f AufenthG | No | 0 | Exception: mandatory internship in course program |
| Student visa | § 16b AufenthG | Yes, limited | ~20 hrs average | 140 full days or 280 half days per year |
| Opportunity Card | § 20a AufenthG | Yes, limited | 20 hrs/week | Plus trial work up to 2 weeks |
| EU citizen | EU free movement | Unrestricted | No limit | Full employee rights |
The most common mistake: many people assume that “a little work” is fine with the language course visa. It is not. § 16f explicitly prohibits any paid employment. Working anyway risks visa revocation.
If you want to both take a language course and work, look into the Opportunity Card — it is designed for skilled workers who want to learn German and search for a job at the same time.
The language course visa has one single purpose: learning German. The embassy issues it for exactly that reason — not for earning money. This is stated in § 16f AufenthG.
This has practical consequences. If you told the embassy you were coming to study German and you then work, you have violated the visa purpose. The Ausländerbehörde (ABH) can revoke the visa — even in the middle of your course.
What happens if you violate the rules:
Exceptions — when work is actually allowed:
Voluntary internships, even unpaid ones, do not fall under this exception. They still violate the visa purpose.
The full guide to the German language course visa explains all conditions in detail.
A Minijob is an employment relationship where you earn a maximum of 556 euros per month (as of 2026). The term comes from “geringfügige Beschäftigung” (marginal employment) under § 8 SGB IV.
Advantages for employees:
Example calculation:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly Minijob earnings | 556 € |
| Your tax contribution | 0 € |
| Flat-rate tax (paid by employer) | ~167 € |
| Your net income | 556 € |
Important: A Minijob is only legal if your visa permits work. For language course visa holders (§ 16f): even a Minijob is prohibited. The visa restriction covers all forms of paid work — regardless of how small the amount.
For those with a work-permitting visa (Opportunity Card, student visa, EU citizens), these jobs are especially popular:
Waitstaff and baristas are in constant demand in German cities. Hourly wages range from 12 to 15 euros (minimum wage 2026: 12.82 euros). Many restaurants explicitly look for German language skills — your course actually helps you get the job.
Wolt, Lieferando, and similar platforms offer flexible shifts, often from just 4 hours. Pay is 11–13 euros per hour plus tips. You need a bicycle or scooter and a smartphone.
Through platforms like Care.com or local Facebook groups, you can find families looking for childcare. Hourly rates of 12 to 18 euros are typical. Hours are often evenings and weekends — perfect around a daytime course schedule.
If you are a native speaker of a high-demand language (English, Arabic, Chinese, Russian), you can charge 20 to 30 euros per hour for private lessons. Platforms like Superprof or local classifieds bring clients to you.
Logistics centers (Amazon, DHL) and production facilities offer weekend shifts that often pay better than weekday rates. This fits well with a Monday-to-Friday course schedule.
Warning: All these jobs are only legal if your visa permits work. With the language course visa (§ 16f), none of these jobs can be taken.
Trial work is briefly allowed for everyone — regardless of visa type. You can work a few hours or up to 1–3 days at a potential employer to get to know the job. Trial work must be unpaid.
An internship is visa-compliant only if:
Voluntary internships during a language course visa are not permitted — even unpaid ones. The visa purpose (language learning) is violated if you spend time on activities outside the course.
Many people ask: “But I’m working for a company in my home country — that doesn’t count as working in Germany, right?”
Legally, it does. If you are physically in Germany and working from here, that counts as gainful activity in Germany — regardless of where the company is registered.
Language course visa (§ 16f): Remote work for foreign companies is technically prohibited. The visa purpose is language learning only. Working remotely still violates the visa terms.
Opportunity Card (§ 20a): Trial work and employment up to 20 hrs/week are allowed. Regular remote work for a foreign employer is not explicitly regulated — this remains a legal grey area. When in doubt, ask the Ausländerbehörde.
Self-employed online work (freelancing, your own clients) counts as gainful activity and may require registering a business (Gewerbeanmeldung) or registering as a freelancer with the Finanzamt.
If you work in Germany, you need a Steuer-Identifikationsnummer (Steuer-ID). You receive it automatically after registering at the Einwohnermeldeamt (residents’ registration office). If it does not arrive within 4 weeks, you can request it from your local Finanzamt.
Most first-time workers fall into Steuerklasse I (Tax Class 1). This is the standard tax rate. Married couples have different options, but this rarely applies to language students.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual basic tax allowance | 11,784 € |
| Monthly equivalent | ~982 € |
| Minijob threshold | 556 €/month |
If you earn below 982 euros per month, you generally pay no income tax. Social security contributions (health, pension, nursing care, unemployment) add up to around 20% of gross wages for the employee in a regular employment relationship.
In a Minijob (up to 556 €/month), the employee is exempt from income tax and most social contributions. The pension insurance has a special opt-out option — ask your employer or the Minijob-Zentrale.
The Ausländerbehörde is not passive. It regularly cross-references data with tax authorities and social security institutions. Anyone who applies for a Steuer-ID or receives wage payments to a German bank account leaves a traceable record.
Possible consequences:
| Severity | Consequence |
|---|---|
| First offence, minor | Warning, conditions added |
| Repeated offence or higher income | Visa revocation, mandatory departure |
| Systematic illegal employment | Criminal proceedings under § 95 AufenthG |
| Criminal proceedings | Fine or up to 1 year in prison |
| All serious cases | 5–10 year entry ban |
Employers also risk fines if they hire you without a valid work permit. Hospitality and logistics are regularly inspected by Zoll (customs enforcement).
A concrete example: a language student earns 300 euros per month as a kitchen helper. He thinks it is too little to notice. During a routine data check, the Ausländerbehörde finds the salary payments. The visa is revoked. He must leave Germany. Future visa applications — including tourist visas — are affected by the recorded violation.
If you want to stay in Germany and work after your course, there are several routes:
Your foreign professional or university qualification must be recognised by the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB) or the responsible professional body. This takes 3–6 months. Start early.
| Route | Visa Type | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Job search with Opportunity Card | § 20a AufenthG | Recognised qualification + 6 points |
| Skilled worker visa (vocational) | § 18a AufenthG | Recognised vocational training + job offer |
| Skilled worker visa (academic) | § 18b AufenthG | University degree + job offer |
| EU Blue Card | § 18g AufenthG | University degree + salary min. 48,300 €/year |
In many cases you can switch your residence permit inside Germany, without travelling abroad. The EU Blue Card transition is especially straightforward. You apply at the Ausländerbehörde, present the job offer, and receive the new permit. This saves time and money.
Learn more in the Opportunity Card guide and the Chancenkarte article.
No. Tutoring counts as paid employment — even if arranged privately and paid in cash. § 16f AufenthG prohibits all work, employed or self-employed. The only exception is a mandatory internship within the official course program.
It can be. The Ausländerbehörde cross-references data with tax authorities. Even small amounts are visible once they flow through a German bank account or you use a Steuer-ID. The risk of visa revocation and an entry ban is not worth it.
Only if your visa allows work. Many language schools hire helpers for their reception or cafeteria. With a student visa (§ 16b) or Opportunity Card (§ 20a): fine. With a language course visa: not allowed.
Any regular service provided for payment. This includes freelance graphic design, translations, music lessons, and online content. Whether employed or self-employed makes no difference for visa restrictions.
Au Pair is a separate residence status with its own visa (§ 12 BeschV). If you are in Germany as an Au Pair, you may attend a language course alongside it. But you cannot use a language course visa to work as an Au Pair — these are two different legal statuses.
The Bundesagentur für Arbeit job board (arbeitsagentur.de) is the best start for regular positions. For Minijobs, use the Minijob-Zentrale (minijob-zentrale.de). Restaurants, delivery services, and tutoring agencies regularly hire students and language learners.
Yes. Tips given personally by guests are tax-free under § 3 No. 51 EStG — regardless of the amount. However, if you are working illegally without a work permit, tax-free tips do not make the employment legal.
Generally no. The employer pays a flat-rate tax of 30%, so Minijobbers have no personal tax filing obligation. If you have additional income alongside the Minijob, a return may be useful — usually resulting in a refund. Your local Finanzamt provides free advice.
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