Self-employment for students from non-EU countries in Germany

As a student from a non-EU country in Germany, you may have to work to pay for your studies. Some students tend to work self-employed or as a freelancer to earn money while studying in Germany.

The question that may be asked here is whether self-employment is basically possible for this group of students during their education in Germany? Or that they can only work part-time as a student? Are they required to register their business in Germany?

Here in Wise Business Group, we explain about the possibility and requirements of self-employment for students from non-EU countries in Germany.

Self-employment for foreign students in Germany

As a student from a third country (outside the EU) you can work for about 120 days full-time or about 240 half days part-time a year during your study in Germany.

For this amount of working hours, you don’t need the confirmation or the consent of the competent authorities (Federal Employment Agency).

Self-employment for students in Germany

Self-employment is also possible in the duration of your study in Germany under the Residence Act (section 21, paragraph 6 of the German Residence Act). However, the German immigration authorities must separately approve your self-employment as a student.

Your self-employment as a student from a non-EU country in Germany will be approved by the German immigration office only if that the scope of your economic activity does not make an obstacle to be success in the course. Therefore, you must comply with the rules regarding the time limit of dependent employment for self-employment, as well (120 days full time or 240 days part time per year).

It should be noted that it is impossible for foreign students to obtain the relevant licenses to start a full-time business in Germany during their studies.

Read more on WBG: Company formation in Germany

Working as a foreign student in Germany

Here are some useful information portals for working as a student in Germany:

• Click here for more information on job opportunities for foreign students in Germany.

• Also in the business startup section on the website “make it in germany“, you can get important information about different types of startups, financing methods, establishing startup companies and the like. Undoubtedly, you need this information to start your startup project in Germany.

• In addition, if you check the study in Germany section on the above website, you can get acquainted with the job opportunities that will be available to you after completing your study in Germany.