Student Job vs. Mini-Job: Which Model Fits?

Comparison Table: Student Job vs. Mini-Job

CriterionStudent Job (Werkstudent)Mini-JobMax. working hours20 h/week (term time); unlimited in semester breaksNo limit (only earnings cap)Earnings capNone, unlimited€556/month (€6,672/year, as of 2026)Typical earnings€800–€1,500/month€450–€556/monthSocial contributions (employee)Pension insurance only (9.3%)None (opt-in for pension: 3.6%)Health/Care/UnemploymentExempt (student employee privilege)Exempt (marginal employment)Income taxDepends on tax bracket; often €0 due to basic allowanceTax-free (employer pays 2% flat)BAföG impactHigh risk of exceeding the allowanceJust below/above the allowance (€6,544)Practical experienceHigh, often field-related workVariable, often basic tasks

Student Job (Werkstudent) in Detail

As a Werkstudent, you work alongside your studies at a company, typically in a role related to your field of study. The key advantage: the student employee privilege (Werkstudentenprivileg).

The Student Employee Privilege

Under § 6 Para. 1 No. 3 SGB V and § 27 Para. 4 SGB III, you are exempt from health, care and unemployment insurance as a full-time enrolled student, provided you:

• Are enrolled at a state-recognised university
• Work a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time
• Your studies remain your primary activity

During semester breaks, you may work more than 20 h/week. The only mandatory contribution: pension insurance at 9.3% employee share.

Advantages of a Student Job

• No earnings limit: you can earn as much as your 20 h/week allows. At €16/h, that's up to €1,473/month.
• Practical experience: student jobs are often field-related and add value to your CV.
• Network: you build contacts that will help you after graduation.
• Low contributions: thanks to the student privilege, you pay only around 9.3% instead of over 20% in social contributions.

Mini-Job in Detail

A mini-job (§ 8 Para. 1 No. 1 SGB IV) is a marginally paid employment with an earnings cap of currently €556/month (2026). As an employee, you pay no social contributions.

Advantages of a Mini-Job

• Tax-free: the employer pays a 2% flat-rate tax, you pay no tax yourself.
• No social contributions: you keep almost your full gross pay (gross ≈ net).
• Flexible: no hours maximum, only the earnings cap matters.
• BAföG-compatible: at around €545/month, you stay below the BAföG allowance.

Limitations of a Mini-Job

• Earnings cap: maximum €556/month.
• Limited practical experience: mini-jobs are often basic tasks without a subject-area connection.
• No career advantage: a student job generally counts for more on a CV.

Can you combine both?

Yes, that is generally possible, and at ucm even a common model. You can have a student job and a mini-job at the same time. The following rules apply:

• The mini-job remains marginal as long as you earn no more than €556/month there.
• The 20-hour rule applies to total working time across both jobs. If you regularly exceed 20 h/week in total, you lose the student employee privilege.
• For BAföG purposes, all income is added together. Plan carefully.

Example calculation: Combination at ucm Student job: 15 h/week × €16/h = €1,105/month. Mini-job (e.g. weekend events): 5 h/week × €16/h = €369/month. Total: €1,474/month at 20 h/week overall.

Conclusion: When to Choose What

Choose a student job if you:

• Want to earn more than €556/month
• Are looking for practical experience for your CV
• Don't receive BAföG (or accept the offset)
• Are prepared to pay 9.3% pension insurance

Choose a mini-job if you:

• Want to work little and remain tax-free
• Receive BAföG and don't want to exceed the allowance
• Need maximum flexibility (no hours limit)
• Don't have much time alongside your studies