First: Taxes for students in Germany
• No taxes at all.
• No need to file a tax return.
• No Lohnsteuer is deducted.
• The employer pays fixed social contribution fees.
• No tax return is required.
• Part-time employment alongside studies.
Exempt from:
Unemployment insurance
Pension insurance (in some cases)
You must still pay:
Health insurance
Lohnsteuer if your monthly income exceeds approx. €1,098
→ If your income is low, you can reclaim the taxes paid at the end of the year!
• You must pay income tax.
• Filing a tax return is recommended to avoid losses.
| Situation | Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minijob (up to €538/month) | No Lohnsteuer | Pension contribution 3.6% (can be waived with written request) |
| Midijob (€538 – approx. €2,000) | Low income tax | Reduced social contributions based on income |
| Above €2,000/month | Full taxes | Same as regular employees |
• Students may work up to 20 hours per week during the semester without affecting their student status.
• Full-time work is allowed during holidays (Werkvertrag or seasonal jobs).
• If receiving BAföG, income limits must be respected.
• Church tax is only charged if officially registered with a church.
• Try to keep your annual income under €11,604 to avoid income tax.
• Use tax class 1 (standard for students).
• File a tax return if taxes were deducted by mistake — you usually get everything back.
• If you have more than one Minijob, consult a tax advisor.
— Our editorial team strives to provide accurate information. However, errors or incomplete details may occur. Please treat this content as preliminary information and consult official authorities for confirmation.
