Guide to School Students’ Work (Minors) in Germany (2025)
1. Legal definition
Minors who work in Germany are covered by the Youth Employment Protection Act (Jugendarbeitsschutzgesetz – JArbSchG) and – for those under 15 – by the Child Employment Protection Ordinance (Kinderarbeitsschutzverordnung).
The main objective is to protect health, education and development, and to ensure that young people are not exploited or pushed beyond their capacity.
2. Age groups and conditions
| Age group | Legal framework | Main conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Under 13 years | Work is generally prohibited (exceptions only for very, very light tasks such as delivering newspapers)* | Any exception requires special legal regulations or explicit approval from the competent authority. |
| 13–14 years | Kinderarbeitsschutzverordnung | • Up to 2 hours/day on school days, up to 5 days/week |
| • Only after classes have finished and no later than 18:00; during school holidays up to 8 hours/day | ||
| • Requires the consent of a parent/guardian (Jobmensa) | ||
| 15–17 years | Jugendarbeitsschutzgesetz (§§ 8–10 JArbSchG) | • Up to 8 hours/day and 40 hours/week (up to 8.5 hours/day in certain compensation situations) (Arbeitsrechte) |
| • Working hours between 06:00 and 20:00 (with a few specific exceptions) (Betriebsrat) |
3. Rest periods and breaks
Break rules according to JArbSchG § 11:
4.5–6 hours of work ⇒ at least 30 minutes break
More than 6 hours of work ⇒ at least 60 minutes break
Between two working days, there must be a rest period of 12 consecutive hours.
Weekend work:
As a general rule, minors are not allowed to work on Saturdays and Sundays, with a few exceptions (e.g. in healthcare, hospitality, agriculture or at special events).
4. Types of permitted work
Permitted are simple and light tasks which do not impair physical or mental development or school performance, for example:
Delivering newspapers and advertising leaflets
Light agricultural work, such as picking fruit or vegetables
Babysitting and childcare
Helping in libraries or offices (sorting files, simple office tasks)
Working in cafés or retail shops (e.g. simple cashier tasks, restocking shelves)
Prohibited are in particular:
Dangerous or very physically demanding work
Operating heavy machinery or dangerous tools
Physically strenuous construction work
Working with chemicals or other hazardous substances
5. Social security contributions and taxes
Short-term employment / holiday job (Ferienjob / kurzfristige Beschäftigung)
If the job lasts ≤ 3 months or ≤ 70 working days per year, it is usually exempt from health, pension, unemployment and other social security contributions, regardless of the income level.
Minijob (for minors aged ≥ 15 with a salary ≤ 556 € per month)
The young worker is exempt from most social insurance contributions and may choose to pay a voluntary pension contribution of 3.6 %.
The employer pays flat-rate contributions (approx. 31 % in total) to the social insurance institutions (Arbeitsrechte).
Taxes:
Income tax (Lohnsteuer) is usually withheld at source. If the annual income remains below the basic tax-free allowance (12 096 € in 2025), the withheld tax can be reclaimed fully or partly via an income tax return.
6. Employer obligations and procedures
Parental consent is required for minors under 15.
A written employment contract must be provided within the first month, setting out working hours, pay and duration of employment.
Employers must comply with the working-time and rest regulations laid down in the JArbSchG and the Kinderarbeitsschutzverordnung.
Documentation: working hours and wages must be recorded and kept for at least 5 years.
Accident insurance: the company must be registered with the relevant Berufsgenossenschaft (statutory accident insurance association).
7. Tips for students and parents
Choose a job that fits well around the school timetable; avoid peak exam times and periods with heavy project workloads.
Keep track of total working hours to avoid exceeding legal limits or unintentionally creating a regular employment relationship with full social insurance obligations.
Communicate clearly with the employer about maximum working hours and agreed breaks.
Keep all documents (contract, payslips, insurance notices) in a safe place to protect your rights.
Respect the required breaks and rest periods and observe the 18:00 cut-off time for under-15s.
Summary:
School students in Germany work within a strict legal framework designed to protect them. Age, permitted working hours, allowed tasks and social security exemptions are clearly defined.
By following these rules and obtaining the necessary permissions, students can earn extra income without harming their health or school performance.
The team of writers and editors of this website strives to provide accurate information based on extensive research and multiple sources. However, errors may occur or some information may not be fully verified. Therefore, the information in these articles should be regarded as an initial reference only, and you should always consult the competent authorities for confirmed and legally binding information.
