For students in Kerala, the decision to move abroad is almost always accompanied by a calculator. Between rent, groceries, and travel, financial anxiety is the number one concern for Indian parents.
The German Ausbildung (Dual Vocational Training) program already solves the biggest financial hurdle: It has zero tuition fees and pays you a monthly stipend. But what if that stipend isn't enough? What if you want to save money to buy a car, travel across Europe, or send funds back to your family in India? Can you take up a part-time job while doing your Ausbildung?
The short answer is: Yes. Thanks to the recent overhauls in Germany's Skilled Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz), the rules for international trainees in 2026 are more flexible than ever. Here is your complete guide to working part-time during your Ausbildung, understanding the "Minijob" system, and achieving true financial freedom in Germany.
Historically, international students on an Ausbildung visa (Section 16a) were strictly limited in how much extra work they could do. The German government wanted trainees to focus 100% on their studies and their primary training employer.
The 2026 Reality: To make Germany more attractive to global talent and to combat labor shortages in sectors like retail and hospitality, the laws have changed.
If you hold an Ausbildung residence permit in 2026, you are legally allowed to work up to 20 hours per week in a secondary job (Nebenbeschäftigung) independent of your primary training.
This is a massive shift. It means you are no longer legally bound to survive only on your Ausbildung stipend. You can legally take weekend shifts at a café, deliver packages, or work in a supermarket to supplement your income.
If you are going to work part-time in Germany, you need to understand the concept of a Minijob (also known as marginal employment).
A Minijob is a specific type of employment contract in Germany designed for students, retirees, and part-time workers.
Most Indian students doing an Ausbildung choose to do a Minijob (working roughly 10–12 hours a week) rather than maxing out their full 20-hour legal limit. Why? Because it provides a perfect balance of extra tax-free cash without causing burnout.
Let's look at a realistic financial scenario for a first-year Nursing Ausbildung student from Kerala living in a mid-sized German city in 2026.
approx. ₹63,000 every single month
You are 19 or 20 years old, living in Europe, paying zero tuition fees, fully covering your own living expenses, and saving over half a lakh rupees a month. This is why the Ausbildung pathway is financially superior to traditional university routes.
Before you rush out to get a weekend job at Starbucks or Lieferando (food delivery), there is one critical rule you must follow: Your primary employer must agree.
In Germany, your Ausbildung contract is your priority. You are working 3–4 days a week at your training company and spending 1–2 days at the vocational school (Berufsschule).
How to do it legally:
Find a part-time job.
Draft a formal letter to your Ausbildung employer asking for permission for Nebenbeschäftigung (secondary employment).
State clearly that you will only work 10–15 hours a week and that it will not affect your performance or school grades.
Once they sign the approval, you can start working.
Note: An employer can only reject your request if they have a valid reason (e.g., your grades are failing, or you want to work for a direct competitor).
Since you already speak German (B1/B2 level is required for your Ausbildung), finding a part-time job is incredibly easy.
The most popular choice. Aside from the hourly wage, you earn tax-free tips (Trinkgeld).
High flexibility. You choose your hours, ride an e-bike, and stay fit while earning.
Stocking shelves or working the cash register at Aldi, Lidl, or Rewe.
If your English is excellent, many German parents pay good money for native-level English tutoring for their children.
At Caspia Overseas Studies, we love seeing our students from Kerala become financially independent. However, we always give our candidates this warning before they fly to Germany: Do not let greed ruin your career.
An Ausbildung is a full-time, 40-hour-a-week commitment. It is mentally exhausting because you are learning complex medical, IT, or engineering concepts in a foreign language. If you add 20 hours of part-time work on top of that, you are working a 60-hour week. If your grades drop and you fail your final IHK or State Exam, your part-time money will not save you.
Our advice? Spend your first 6 months adjusting to the culture, the language, and your primary job. Only take up a part-time job in your second semester once you are comfortable with your routine.
1. Is it legal to work part-time on an Ausbildung visa?
Yes. Under the 2026 German immigration rules, international trainees on an Ausbildung visa are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week in a secondary job.
2. What is a Minijob in Germany?
A Minijob is marginal part-time employment where you earn up to a specific limit (approx. €538/month in 2026). It is completely exempt from income tax and social security deductions for the employee.
3. Do I pay tax on my part-time job?
If it is a registered Minijob (under the monthly threshold), you do not pay income tax. If you earn above the Minijob limit, you will enter a different tax bracket and must pay taxes.
4. Can my Ausbildung employer forbid me from working part-time?
They cannot forbid it arbitrarily, but they can deny permission if the secondary job negatively impacts your training, school grades, or violates working hours laws. You must always ask for written consent.
5. How much is the minimum wage in Germany in 2026?
The statutory minimum wage in Germany is evaluated regularly. In 2026, it is above €12.82 per hour, meaning even entry-level part-time jobs pay very well.
6. Can I do food delivery (like UberEats) as a part-time job?
Yes. Working for delivery apps like Lieferando or Wolt is a very popular and flexible part-time option for international students.
7. Will working part-time affect my Blocked Account?
No. Your Blocked Account is a visa requirement. Earning extra money part-time simply means you have more disposable income in your German bank account.
8. Can I work full-time during my vocational school holidays?
No. The 20-hour secondary employment rule generally applies year-round for Ausbildung students. You cannot switch to 40 hours during school holidays unless explicitly approved by your visa conditions.
9. Do I need to speak fluent German to get a part-time job?
Since you are already enrolled in an Ausbildung (which requires B1/B2 German), your language skills are already sufficient for almost any student part-time job in retail or hospitality.
10. What happens if I work more than 20 hours a week?
Working more than 20 hours a week violates your student/trainee visa conditions. It can lead to the cancellation of your residence permit and deportation.
11. Does my part-time job have to be related to my Ausbildung?
No. If you are doing an IT Ausbildung, you can legally work as a barista in a coffee shop for your part-time job.
12. Can I start working part-time from my first day in Germany?
Legally, yes, if your visa clearly states the 20-hour allowance. However, Caspia advises waiting 3–6 months to adjust to your primary Ausbildung duties first.
13. Do I get paid leave in my part-time job?
Yes! Under German labor law, even Minijobbers and part-time workers are entitled to paid statutory vacation days proportional to their working days.
14. Are there any hidden costs to a Minijob?
No, but you can optionally choose to pay a small percentage into the public pension fund to build your German pension early. You can also opt out of this.
15. Can I have two Minijobs at the same time?
You can, but their combined income must not exceed the Minijob threshold (approx. €538/month). If it does, both jobs become fully taxable.
16. How does Caspia Overseas help with finding part-time jobs?
While our primary focus is securing your main Ausbildung contract, our post-arrival support network and alumni community in Germany regularly share local part-time job openings with new students.
17. What is the "Deutschlandticket"?
It is a heavily subsidized monthly transit pass (currently €49) that allows you to use all local and regional public transport across Germany, making commuting to your part-time job very cheap.
18. Will part-time income affect my chances of getting Permanent Residency (PR)?
Positively, yes! Showing that you are financially independent and actively participating in the German economy strengthens your overall profile when applying for PR later.
19. Can I freelance instead of taking a part-time job?
Usually, no. Student and Ausbildung visas generally prohibit freelance or self-employed work (Selbstständigkeit) unless you apply for a special permit from the Foreigners' Authority.
20. How do I apply for an Ausbildung from Kerala?
Contact Caspia Overseas Studies. We provide Goethe-standard German language training in Kochi and handle your placement, interviews, and visa processing for Germany.
The days of relying on your parents to fund your overseas education are over. With the high stipends of the German Ausbildung system and the legal right to work part-time, 2026 is the year to take control of your financial future.
Are you ready to earn while you learn? Join the Best German Consultancy in Kerala.
Contact Caspia Overseas Today