Tips for Summer Workers What to keep in mind when working a summer job

From age 13 through age 14, children may work only with their parents’ consent—but only for up to two hours a day (three hours a day in agriculture), between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Teenagers between the ages of 15 and 17 may work part-time during school breaks for a maximum of four weeks per year. They are not allowed to work more than eight hours a day or 40 hours a week, and their working hours must be between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Exceptions apply to older students aged 16 and older, who are allowed to work until 10 p.m. in restaurants and until 11 p.m. in multi-shift operations. Weekend work is generally not permitted, except for certain events or in exceptional cases (e.g., agriculture).

Anyone who works must also take breaks. For those under 18, the break entitlement is at least 30 minutes for four and a half to six hours of work per day, and 60 minutes for more than six hours.

High school and college students who work in “mini-jobs” and earn up to 556 euros per month pay only minimal contributions to the pension insurance system.

They are required to be insured under the pension insurance system; however, they may apply for an exemption. For minors, the legal guardian must sign the application for exemption from mandatory pension insurance. If no exemption has been granted, mandatory pension insurance contributions of 18.6 percent must be paid for long-term marginal employment; of this, 15 percent is paid by the employer and 3.6 percent by the student. If an exemption is granted, the employer must pay flat-rate pension insurance contributions of 15 percent.

Those in mini-jobs do not make any contributions to health, long-term care, or unemployment insurance. For permanently employed individuals in marginal employment who are already covered by statutory health insurance, the employer pays a flat-rate contribution of 13 percent.

Students are generally exempt from unemployment insurance. However, those who begin vocational training immediately after a summer job are subject to insurance coverage even during the summer job. This does not apply to those who begin school or college after the summer job.

A company may provide employees with subsidies toward the cost of public transportation between their home and primary place of work, or cover the full cost. These subsidies are tax-free if they are provided in addition to regular earnings. They are also exempt from social security contributions.

It is important to note that the subsidy or the provision of the so-called “Deutschlandticket” must truly be in addition to the employee’s regular earnings.

If the employer finances the “Deutschlandticket” in addition to the regular wages, it is not to be included when calculating the regular earnings from the mini-job. For example, if a mini-job worker earns 556 euros per month, she can also receive the “Deutschlandticket” without any changes to her mini-job.

Working students are regular employees who work on a fixed-term or part-time basis. The so-called “working student” status applies solely to social security. All laws, collective bargaining agreements, and company agreements apply directly and mandatorily to working students as well. Therefore, if they are members of IG Metall, all provisions of the collective bargaining agreement also apply to them. In particular, the pay for working students must correspond to the pay of a comparable, permanently employed worker.

For employed students who have neither a short-term job nor a “minijob,” the so-called “working student privilege” may apply under social security law. If their studies take priority and their weekly working hours do not exceed 20 hours, the job is exempt from the obligation to contribute to health, long-term care, and unemployment insurance.

If the work is adapted to and subordinate to the requirements of the student’s studies, exemption from insurance may also apply even if the weekly working hours exceed 20 hours. This applies when working students work on weekends, in the evenings or at night, or during semester breaks. If they hold multiple temporary jobs, they are exempt from insurance contributions only if all jobs combined do not exceed 26 weeks or 180 calendar days per year.

If the employment lasts longer than three months or 70 working days in a calendar year, contributions to health and long-term care insurance are not due only if the employment is limited exclusively to the period during which no coursework is required. Students always pay contributions to the pension fund if the employment lasts longer than three months or if they regularly earn more than 520 euros per month. They split the contribution equally with the employer.

If the employment is limited to a maximum of three months or 70 working days in the calendar year, no pension contributions are required. For this to apply, the work must either be contractually specified in advance or limited by the nature of the employment relationship and must not be performed on a professional basis.

Detailed questions regarding social security obligations are answered by the German Pension Insurance.

Students who are covered under their parents’ family health insurance plan must be careful. If they wish to remain covered under their parents’ health insurance, their total net income must not exceed 535 euros per month.

Income from marginal employment up to the 556-euro minijob limit does not affect existing contribution-free coverage under the statutory health insurance system, known as family coverage.

Students who receive BAföG can earn an additional 556 euros gross per month without it affecting their benefits. If they exceed this amount, their financial aid will be reduced. Detailed information on the income allowances is provided by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

The statutory minimum wage also applies to students. It is currently 12.82 euros per hour. Unfortunately, the Minimum Wage Act does not apply to those under 18 who have not completed vocational training.

The German Trade Union Federation answers detailed questions about the minimum wage on its website.

As with all other employees, students are also entitled to a basic tax-free allowance. In 2025, this amounts to 12,096 euros per year for single individuals. 

If an employer has nevertheless withheld taxes, high school students and college students can regularly claim a refund from the tax office by filing an income tax return. This applies especially if they were not employed for the entire year or if they can claim income-related expenses, special expenses, or extraordinary burdens.

Students attending general or vocational schools whose parents receive the citizen’s income benefit can earn some extra money during school breaks without it being counted against their benefits. This rule has been in effect since July 1, 2023, provided that those working summer jobs have not yet turned 25 and work exclusively during school breaks. For students who are 25 years of age or older, however, income from summer jobs is counted toward benefits just like regular earned income.

Outside of school breaks, the following applies: Young people who work regularly may keep income from student jobs and income from vocational training up to the mini-job limit of 556 euros per month without it being counted against their benefits.

Working students or those in mini-jobs who have questions should contact the IG Metall works council or the youth representatives.