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Can I work while studying in Germany on a student visa as a Nigerian or Ghanaian?

By VisaRoom EditorialChecked 29 October 2026For applicants in Lagos, Abuja and Accra

Short answer

Yes. Under section 16b of the Residence Act (AufenthG), a student residence permit allows work of up to 140 full days or 280 half days a year. Student side activities (studentische Nebentätigkeiten) are not counted, and DAAD says academic assistants have no day limit. For more days you need permission, which DAAD says is only given in cases of special financial need.

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On this page
  1. Short answer
  2. How many days can you work?
  3. How are part-time days counted?
  4. Which jobs do not count against the limit?
  5. What if you want to work more, or work for yourself?
  6. What about hours, insurance and pay?
  7. Does work replace your proof of funds? And language-course visas?
  8. People also ask
  9. Related questions
  10. Sources

How many days can you work?

DAAD (the German academic exchange service) says international students from outside the EU may work 140 full days or 280 half days per year.

The law says the same. Section 16b(3) AufenthG allows no more than 140 working days a year, kept in a working-days account.

One page disagrees. The Federal Foreign Office FAQ 'Studying in Germany' says 120 full days or 240 half days, against 140 in section 16b(3) and at DAAD. Check with the foreigners' office.

Sources for this part231

How are part-time days counted?

The law counts part-time work in the way that is best for you. A day with up to four hours of work can count as a half day. Any longer day counts as a full day.

There is also a weekly option: a week can count as two and a half working days instead of being counted day by day. In the lecture period this works if you work up to 20 hours in that calendar week. Outside the lecture period it works however the hours are spread. The better method is picked for each week separately.

Sources for this part3

Which jobs do not count against the limit?

The law does not count student side activities. DAAD separately says academic assistants (for example library supervision or tutorials at your university) have no day limit. They must still tell the foreigners' office (Ausländerbehörde).

DAAD advises asking student services or the International Office if you are not sure which category a job falls into.

Sources for this part32

What if you want to work more, or work for yourself?

To work more than the limit, you need permission from the Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) and the foreigners' office. DAAD says permission can only be given in cases of special financial need.

Self-employed work or freelancing is only possible if the foreigners' office permits it.

DAAD warns that you may be deported if you break these labour rules.

Sources for this part2

What about hours, insurance and pay?

The DAAD page gives a different, lower tax-free figure (EUR 556). We do not use it because we have not confirmed it.

  • Insurance: DAAD says that if you work more than 20 hours a week, your studies will suffer and you must also pay health, unemployment and nursing care insurance contributions.
  • Minimum wage: since January 2026 it is EUR 13.90 an hour, according to DAAD and the Minijob-Zentrale (the federal minijob body).
  • Minijob limit: from January 2026 it is EUR 603 a month. The Minijob-Zentrale says it will be EUR 633 a month from 1 January 2027.

Sources for this part256

Does work replace your proof of funds? And language-course visas?

DAAD says it is virtually impossible for students to pay their whole cost of living from side jobs, and recommends scholarships or help from family. See our proof of funds article for what the missions ask for at the visa stage.

If your permit is for a language course (not study preparation), section 16f(3) AufenthG allows work of up to 20 hours per week.

Sources for this part24

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People also ask

Is 20 hours a week the legal limit for students?

Not as a separate cap for students. The 140-day limit is the rule. The 20 hours matters in two places: it is part of the weekly counting method in section 16b(3), and DAAD says work above 20 hours a week brings insurance contributions. 32

Does my student assistant job at the university count towards the 140 days?

No day limit applies to academic assistants, according to DAAD, and the law does not count student side activities. You must still inform the foreigners' office. 32

Why do some official pages say 120 days?

The Federal Foreign Office FAQ page 'Studying in Germany' says 120 full days or 240 half days. Section 16b(3) AufenthG and DAAD both say 140 days. 132

Sources

  1. 1Studying in Germany (FAQ)OfficialGerman Federal Foreign Office · checked 29 Oct 2026
  2. 2Side jobsOfficialDAAD · checked 29 Oct 2026
  3. 3§ 16b AufenthGOfficialFederal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 29 Oct 2026
  4. 4§ 16f AufenthGOfficialFederal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 29 Oct 2026
  5. 5Über MinijobsOfficialMinijob-Zentrale (federal body) · checked 29 Oct 2026
  6. 6Minijob 2027: Verdienstgrenze und Mindestlohn steigenOfficialMinijob-Zentrale (federal body) · checked 29 Oct 2026

Official is the embassy or a German government page. Applicant reports are what applicants say happened at their appointment. Secondary is everything else we checked.

General information, not legal advice. VisaRoom isn't connected to any embassy or government, and only the embassy decides on your visa. Something out of date? Tell us.