Youth Employment Protection Act: employing students under 18

Who does the law apply to?

Age group – Legal status

• Under 13 years: work is completely prohibited

• 13 to 14 years: work is allowed only under strict conditions

• 15 to 17 years: work is allowed within a vocational training (Ausbildung) or in limited part-time jobs

• 18 years and above: subject to the general labour laws

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Employment of 13–14-year-olds – only under strict conditions

Condition – Explanation

• Daily working time: no more than 2 hours per day

• Permitted time of day: only between 8:00 and 18:00, and not during school hours

• Weekdays only: no work on weekends or public holidays

• Type of work: only light tasks (e.g. delivering newspapers, simple gardening, light assistance)

• Consent from parents + school: always required

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Employment of 15–17-year-olds – possible, but restricted

During school holidays (Ferienjob)

Condition – What is allowed

• Number of working days per year: no more than 4 weeks (20 working days)

• Working hours per day: maximum 8 hours per day

• Daily time frame: only between 6:00 and 20:00

• No work on Sundays or public holidays: except in specific sectors (e.g. restaurants, hospitals)

• Type of work: not heavy, not dangerous, no lifting of heavy loads, no handling of hazardous substances

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During vocational training (Ausbildung / Berufsausbildung)

Rule – Details

• Working hours: 8 hours per day, up to 40 hours per week

• Breaks: after every 4.5 hours of work, at least a 30-minute break

• Night work prohibited: no work after 20:00, except in clearly regulated exceptions

• Work on Sundays and public holidays: prohibited, with exceptions for certain professions if a compensatory day off is granted

• Annual leave entitlement:

  • 25 working days for those under 16

  • 23 working days for those under 17

  • 21 working days for those under 18

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Completely prohibited:

• Working in dangerous areas or with hazardous substances (e.g. chemical paints, solvents, sharp equipment)

• Lifting heavy loads

• Working in shops after 20:00 (except for certain restaurant jobs under specific rules)

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Do you need an official permit?

Ferienjobs (holiday jobs)

• No special licence is required, but:

  • The employer must carefully verify the minor’s age.

  • A written contract should be signed and social insurance / accident insurance must be properly registered (some municipalities require notification).

Formal Ausbildung (vocational training)

• Yes, here you must:

  • Provide a medical initial examination certificate (ärztliche Erstuntersuchung under § 32 JArbSchG).

  • Sign a training contract (Ausbildungsvertrag) according to the rules of the competent chamber (IHK or HWK).

  • Comply with all special protection provisions for minors.

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Penalties in case of violations

Type of violation – Possible fine or sanction

• Employing a minor without observing youth protection rules: fines up to 15,000 €

• Failure to obtain the required medical examination: legal violation, subject to fines

• Employing minors at prohibited times or on forbidden days: warning + monetary penalty

• Heavy or dangerous work: may be treated as criminal negligence if an accident occurs

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What should you do as an employer to hire minors legally?

• Carefully check the age (ask for an identity card).

• Limit tasks strictly to those permitted for minors.

• Monitor and document the number of working days and hours precisely.

• Prepare a simple written employment contract plus a written consent from the legal guardian.

• In case of an Ausbildung: insist on the mandatory medical examination before training starts.

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The editorial team of this website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors or incomplete or non-final information cannot be fully ruled out. Please treat this content as an initial orientation and always consult the competent authorities for binding, up-to-date legal information.