STUDENT WORK-HOURS TOOL

Know where you stand before you take the next shift.

A practical tracker for international students in Germany. It translates the official 140 full-day / 280 half-day rule into a simple running balance and shows the alternative 20-hour weekly route.

2026 rules reviewedNo account requiredFor planning, not legal advice
ANNUAL DAY ACCOUNT

Track the 140 / 280 day allowance.

For third-country students using the annual day-account route. Enter days already worked in the current calendar year.

Used0.0 / 140full-day equivalents
Remaining140.0full days, or 280 half days
ALTERNATIVE WEEKLY ROUTE

Check a lecture-period week.

Official guidance also describes an alternative route of up to 20 hours per week during the lecture period.

Within the 20-hour lecture-period route20.0 hours entered

Semester-break work, student-assistant roles, internships and individual residence-title conditions can be treated differently. This tool intentionally does not decide those cases for you.

SOURCE & SCOPE

Built around official federal guidance.

The German federal portal Make it in Germany states that third-country students may work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per year without Federal Employment Agency approval. Up to four hours counts as a half day. It also describes an alternative of up to 20 hours per week during the lecture period.

Exceptions and special cases exist, including student auxiliary work and internship rules. Your residence title and individual circumstances remain decisive.

Read the official guidance ↗

Source reviewed 13 September 2026.