Germany raises the student work-day limit to 140 days for 2026

What changed

Germany raised the annual work allowance for international students from outside the EU from 120 full days to 140 full days a year, or from 240 to 280 half days. A full day counts as more than 4 hours of work, and a half day counts as 4 hours or less, letting you split your allowance across shorter shifts if that suits your schedule.

The change applies to students on residence permits issued under Section 16b of the Residence Act and took effect immediately for the 2026 summer semester, according to Europe Careers . The government has scheduled a review of the new limit for 2028.

The weekly cap during term time still applies

The 140 day allowance is an annual total, not extra hours every week. During term time, the long-standing 20 hour weekly cap for student work still applies, so the extra days do not raise how many hours you work each week. The additional allowance matters most during semester breaks and summer, when many students already work close to full time within their limit.

Averaged across a year, the extra 20 days translate to roughly 2,000 euros in additional after-tax income at typical German student wage rates, though your earnings depend on your job, hours and tax situation.

Who this applies to

The 140 day limit covers non-EU international students on a residence permit for study purposes. EU and EEA students do not face the same day-based limit, since freedom of movement rules already give them the right to work in Germany without a separate work permit, though they should still register any job with their local authority and student services office.

The previous 120 full-day or 240 half-day limit had applied for several years before this update, so the change is the first significant increase to the allowance in some time. It gives you 20 extra full days, or 40 extra half days, to work with over a full year.

Minimum wage rose alongside the work limit

Germany's minimum wage increased to 13.90 euros an hour gross from 1 January 2026, according to Mercans , and is scheduled to rise to 14.60 euros an hour from 1 January 2027. Most student jobs, from campus assistant roles to retail and hospitality shifts, pay at or above this rate, so more allowed days combined with a higher hourly wage raises how much you legally earn during your studies.

How this fits into your study plan

Most international students use part-time work to cover living costs on top of savings, family support or a scholarship, rather than as a primary income source. The extra 20 days a year give you more room during a busy summer internship search or a longer break between semesters without pushing you over your annual limit.

Working beyond your allowance without permission risks your residence status, so track your days carefully if you hold more than one job or take on freelance work alongside a part-time contract.

What this means for your visa and budget

• Track your work days, not just hours, since the annual limit counts in full or half days.

• Keep the 20 hour weekly cap in mind during term even though your annual allowance grew.

• Check your residence permit conditions with your local Ausländerbehörde, since some permit types carry different rules than the standard Section 16b allowance.

• Budget using the new 13.90 euro minimum wage as your floor, not your expected rate, since many student jobs pay more.

Sources

• Europe Careers, Germany raises international student work limit to 140 days
• Mercans, Germany minimum wage 13.90 euros/hour in effect January 2026