Table of contents
- Student jobs from 13 years old
- Student jobs from 14 years old
- Student jobs from 15 years old
- Student jobs from 16 years old
- Student jobs over 520 euros per month
For very few children between the ages of 13 and 18, this is enoughfor everything they want to do and have. So most of them are teenagers who are chronically broke. Because we parents don't want to pay for everything our child wants, we quickly hear ourselves saying something like: "Then get a job."
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But where are girls and boys aged 13, 14 or 15 allowed to work? How long can they work on weekdays or weekends and how much money can they earn per month?
All of this is of course regulated by law. We have been clever for you and tried to summarize everything simply and compactly.
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Student jobs from 13 years old
Pupils are only allowed to earn money from the age of 13, as this is regulated by the Youth Protection Act. This applies to official jobs outside the circle of family or friends. This means that a 12-year-old child can, for example, help their grandparents in the garden or with shopping and the grandparents can give their grandchild a few euros in return. However, if you are 12 years old or younger, you are not allowed to work in a supermarket, café or flower shop. This is only possible from the age of 13. You should always ask the potential job whether you can start working at the age of 13.
How long can you work at the age of 13?
Regardless of whether it is a holiday job or a mini or part-time job, at the age of 13, students are allowed to work a maximum of 2 hours per day, five days a week. In addition, the activity may not be carried out before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. and always requires the consent of the legal guardian.
Where can you work at the age of 13?
The work itself must not be psychologically or physically demanding for a 13-year-old child. Assembly line work is not permitted. Suitable jobs at this age are:
- deliver newspaper
- Dog sitting
- Tutoring
- Babysitting
- Shopping help
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How much money can you earn at the age of 13?
There is no legal limit to how much money you can earn at the age of 13. If your income does not exceed 520 euros per month, there are no taxes or insurance contributions.
Student jobs from 14 years old
Very similar regulations and opportunities for additional income apply to 14-year-olds as to 13-year-olds. You are allowed to work a maximum of 2 hours a day, five days a week. Working on weekends is only permitted in some industries, such as healthcare, catering or agriculture. And the work may not be carried out before school or after 6 p.m.
Young people aged 14 are only exempt from taxes and insurance in their student job if their monthly earnings are less than 520 euros.
Student jobs from 15 years old
Even at the age of 15, the youth protection law limits the opportunities for student employment, although they are more extensive than at the age of 13 or 14.
How long can you work at 15 years old?
At the age of 15, you can work up to 8 hours a day, up to 5 days a week, in addition to your main job, namely attending school. Weekends are excluded, unless a student works in the catering industry, healthcare or an open sales outlet (baker, supermarket, kiosk). Here he or she is also allowed to work on weekends, as long as the 5 days are not exceeded.
Special holiday job
If you want to work during the summer holidays, you can also work full-time (35-40 hours per week) for up to 4 weeks at a time from the age of 15.
Where can you work at the age of 15?
Even at the age of 15, a student is still a minor. This means that an activity must not be mentally or physically stressful, must not involve dangerous substances or work under extreme conditions. Suitable jobs for ages 15 and over are:
- Babysitting
- Tutoring
- Waiters/service
- Warehouse work
How much money can you earn at 15 years old?
Students who earn less than 520 euros per month do not have to pay tax on their income or insurance contributions. If a child regularly earns more than 520 euros per month, he or she must pay income tax and social security contributions.
Special holiday job
Students who are only employed for a limited period of time, for example for 4 weeks during the summer holidays, are allowed to work more hours every day during this time, i.e. work full-time, for example, and can also earn more without paying taxes or other fees. This is possible because with the short-term employment you remain below the tax allowance of 9,744 euros for the entire year. We'll explain a little more about this in a moment.
Student jobs from 16 years old
At the age of 16, students are still allowed to work up to 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, as long as their academic performance does not suffer. If you want to remain tax and duty-free at this age, you should make sure that you do not earn more than 520 euros per month.
Exceptions are holiday jobs that are time-limited. Here, students aged 16 are allowed to work full-time (35-40 hours per week) and earn more accordingly.
Student jobs over 520 euros per month
Depending on the job and industry, you can earn more than 520 euros as a student, but you will then have to pay monthly fees. If your annual salary remains below the tax exemption amount of 9,744 euros, which roughly corresponds to a gross monthly salary of 812 euros, you can get the wage tax you paid back using the tax exemption amount in your tax return.
By the way:The statutory minimum wage, currently 12.82 gross per hour, applies to all employees aged 18 and over. Students under the age of 18 are not yet entitled to the statutory minimum wage.
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