Study and work in Germany: Summary of detailed information

Study in Germany while working is a popular choice for international students, helping them to access quality education while taking advantage of their free time to earn extra income to cover living expenses while studying in Germany.. If you are planning to study vocational training in Germany, please join us. SHD Academy Find out detailed information about the dual training program of studying and working in Germany in the article below!  

>> Reference: 

• Instructions for self -preparation of German vocational studies 2025
• Does studying in Germany need financial proof?
• Detailed review of life studying vocational training in Germany

Why should you study vocational training in Germany? 

Study abroad in Germany is a dual training program - learning goes hand in hand with practice, combining 30% of theoretical study time at vocational school and 70% of practice time at a business for a period of 3 - 3.5 years. The highlight of this program is that international students will receive a monthly internship salary from the business during the training period, helping international students to be able to support themselves. Expenses for studying in German vocational training and maintain a stable life. Not only that, studying and working in Germany also brings many practical benefits to students such as:

• Diversified industries: Every year, Germany recruits and trains nearly 13,000 different professions such as nursing, chef, build, mechanical, car, manufacturing, restaurant - hotel,… Thanks to that, international students have many opportunities to choose a career that suits their abilities and interests.
• Tuition Free: International students participating in the vocational training program will be exempted from 100% tuition fees by the German Government during the entire study period. This reduces the financial burden, making it easier for young Vietnamese people to realize their dream of studying vocational training in Germany.
• Wide open job opportunities: Upon completion of the training program, students will receive an internationally recognized degree. Therefore, upon graduation, students can expand their employment opportunities with attractive salaries at businesses in Germany or any country in the world.
• Have the opportunity to travel and explore 29 Schengen countries: Thanks to the special benefits of the German Visa, International students have the opportunity to travel and explore the cultural beauty of 29 countries in the bloc. Schengen like Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece,…
• Permanent settlement in Germany: After 2 years of graduation and stable employment, international students have the opportunity to settle down permanently and become German citizens.

To be able to set foot in Germany for vocational study, choosing the right career path is important. prestigious German vocational study abroad center, The best price is always important. Parents and students, you can register to participate. German vocational study abroad program together SHD Academy. 

With the business philosophy of "Taking customers as the center of all activities, aiming to balance the interests of all parties", SHD has built a comprehensive ecosystem with German training services, Career orientation, interview practice with businesses, visa interviews and legal support for students until they graduate and have stable jobs in Germany. 

In addition, SHD Academy is also committed to accompanying students on their journey to conquer their career goals, helping them easily integrate into the international environment and build a sustainable career in Germany.

>> Reference:

• Which major should you choose to study vocational training in Germany? Top 7 hottest majors in 2025
• Free vocational study abroad program in Germany, high salary

Conditions for vocational study in Germany

To participate in the study-work program in Germany, students need to meet the following requirements: conditions for vocational study in Germany basically as follows:

• Age from 18 to 30.
• High school graduate. 
• Have a German certificate B1 or higher. If you do not have a German certificate B1, you can register to study at SHD Education German Language Training Center.
• Good health, not suffering from hepatitis A, B, C, not infected with HIV, not having any disabilities.
• Good morality, no criminal records and criminal records.
• Sign a work contract with a German company according to the training major. With a cooperation network of more than 40 companies in Germany, SHD Academy is committed to supporting students to successfully sign a training contract with a reputable company.

Note: The above conditions are for general reference only for vocational training in Germany. You can see detailed information at Website of the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, with each different major will add some specific requirements to suit the nature of the job. 

Salary when studying and working in Germany (150 words)

For the German study-work program, international students not only receive an internship salary subsidy but can also work part-time in their free time to earn extra income, making life more comfortable, and even having some savings to send home to their families. 

According to German regulations, international students can work part-time during their studies with flexible hours. Specifically, during the school year, international students can work up to 20 hours/week, and during the holidays, working hours can increase to 40 hours/week. The total working time in a year can be up to 120 days. The salary when studying and working in Germany is calculated as follows:

• The average working day is 8 hours, with 120 working days in a year and the minimum wage in Germany is 12.82 Euro/hour. Thus, international students can earn about: 120 days/year x 8 hours/day x 12.82 Euro/hour = 12,307 Euro/year (about 327 million VND).
• If international students work part-time on normal days, working an average of about 2 hours per day, their income will fluctuate around: 12 months x 2 hours/day x 20 days/month x 12.82 Euro/hour = 6,154 Euro/year (about 164 million VND).

>> Reference: Summary of the highest paying occupations in Germany 2025

Instructions for finding part-time jobs in Germany 

Studying in Germany while working, you will not only study in a good quality environment but also be given the opportunity by the German Government to work part-time to gain experience and earn extra income. To be able to work part-time, you can ask for help from acquaintances and friends who have experience to find a suitable job for yourself. Besides, you can also look for part-time jobs through the following ways:

• Register with reputable student job brokerage companies such as Linked, Indeed, Nebenjob or Studentjob,... 
• Look for information on the training institution's website or bulletin board.
• Find extra jobs at forums, job fairs, etc.

>> Reference: Latest information on German vocational training contracts and things to know

Things you need to keep in mind when studying and working in Germany 

Studying and working in Germany can help international students have a more stable life, but there are still things to keep in mind when deciding to work while studying.

Effective time management

Balancing work and study can be a challenge for international students. Therefore, it is important for international students to learn how to manage their time effectively, prioritize their studies and ensure that their part-time jobs do not affect their grades or academic progress.

Work permits and income tax

International students who want to work part-time in Germany need to prepare a work permit (Arbeitserlaubnis), especially for those from countries outside the EU/EEA. This permit helps ensure that international students comply with regulations on working hours and comply with legal obligations under German law. Without a work permit, international students working part-time in Germany may be punished according to relevant regulations. 

In addition to preparing a work permit, international students also need to understand their income tax obligations when working part-time in Germany. If the student's part-time salary is less than 520 Euro/month (about 14 million VND), they do not have to pay tax. income tax in GermanyOn the contrary, if the income is more than 520 Euro/month, international students must fulfill their tax obligations according to the regulations of the German Government.

German language proficiency

German is the common language of communication in Germany, so basic understanding and in-depth knowledge of German will help international students expand their job opportunities. Therefore, international students need to make efforts to improve their language skills to be able to communicate effectively at work and improve work productivity.

>> Reference:

• Is learning German difficult? How long does it take to achieve a certificate B1
• German learning roadmap guide for beginners

Balance between study and work

Studying in Germany requires international students to maintain a balance between studying, working and daily life. International students should arrange a reasonable time for studying, working and taking care of themselves to avoid exhaustion and overload. At the same time, spend time participating in recreational activities and socializing. and pursue personal interests.

Indigenous culture

Germans value clear planning, careful decisions based on reality and especially punctuality at work. Therefore, adapting to the new German working culture can create pressure for international students. To overcome these challenges and achieve success at work, international students need to have a steadfast spirit, patience and flexibility to adapt to the local culture.

To help students better prepare for their journey to study in Germany, SHD Academy has organized exchanges and activities to explore German culture, from customs, cuisine to daily life skills. These experiences not only help students understand the German lifestyle and work, but also help them feel more confident and create a solid foundation to integrate into the international environment right from their time in Vietnam.

>> Reference:

• List of German holidays that international students should know
•  20 Beautiful Sceneries in Germany That You Should Not Miss
• What is life like in Germany? Daily life habits of Germans.

Useful advice when studying and working in Germany 

Understanding the worries of students, below are some useful tips from SHD Academy for international students studying and working in Germany:

• Vocational schools in Germany often have an international student office that can assist international students in finding part-time work relevant to their studies. In addition, the training institution also organizes seminars or events to improve the skills and employment opportunities of international students.
• Depending on your income, international students may have to pay taxes and contribute to the German social security system. To ensure compliance with German government regulations, international students should seek information from local authorities or a tax professional.
• When signing an employment contract, it is important to ensure that international students understand the terms of the contract, including working hours, wages and benefits.
• In addition to part-time jobs, international students should also actively participate in activities of training institutions, international student organizations and community events to make new friends, expand their network of relationships and gain a deeper understanding of German culture.

>> Reference: 

• Instructions for the discount of German vocational training 2025
• Summary of German vocational scholarships 2025

Study in Germany while working is a great opportunity for international students to increase their income and gain work experience in an international environment. In addition, international students also need to manage their time effectively to ensure that work will not affect their health and study results. If you have any questions related to the topic of studying and working in Germany, please contact us immediately. SHD Academy via hotline 0336 760 276 to receive detailed advice from our team of experienced experts.