Earn money as a pupil. This is what you have to bear in mind! Tips & informations.

This article is about pupils living in Germany.

Can I earn money as a pupil?

Do you want to earn money as a pupil? Your first point of contact in such matters is always your parents! Talk to them about your wish and get the important information you need from your parents to earn money as a pupil. Please do not understand the following article as legal information. It is only intended to help you find your way around. And we have put together some tips for you at the end.

And yes, you are legally allowed to earn money as a pupil in Germany. However, there are some restrictions that must be observed. In Germany, there are certain regulations that determine how much pupils are allowed to work. These regulations depend on how old you are and whether you are at school or vocational school.

The Child Labour Protection Ordinance (Kinderarbeitsschutzverordnung) and the Youth Labour Protection Act (Jugendarbeitsschutzgesetz) are legal regulations in Germany that determine how much and what kind of work pupils are allowed to do in Germany. The most important factor here is age. If you are under 13 years old, you are not allowed to work in Germany.

In Germany, there are legal regulations regarding the work of children and young people in order to protect their health and development and to ensure that their school attendance is not impaired. Children and young people have the right to education and should therefore have enough time and opportunity to concentrate on their schoolwork. Thus, there are meaningful restrictions. on earning money as a pupil.

I am under 15 years old, can I earn money as a pupil?

Children from the age of 13 and young people who are obliged to attend school full-time are allowed to do light work for a short time with the consent of their parents. The Child Labour Protection Ordinance applies to pupils under 15 and limits working hours to a maximum of 2 hours per day and 8 hours per week. In agriculture, the limit is 3 hours per day. The working time may take place on up to 5 working days per week between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and may not be before or during school lessons.

The Child Labour Protection Ordinance also states that pupils under the age of 15 are not allowed to do work that is dangerous or hazardous to their health, nor are they allowed to work in areas where they could come into contact with tobacco products, alcohol or pornography. You are also not allowed to work after 6pm and work must not start before 8am. Before school starts, working after 8 a.m. is also prohibited.

What kind of work can I do to earn money as a pupil if I am under 15 years old?

If you are a pupil under the age of 15, there are certain restrictions on the type of work you can do to earn money as a pupil. However, there are some jobs that are suitable for pupils under 15 years old, such as delivering newspapers and leaflets.

In private households, pupils under the age of 15 are allowed to earn money by babysitting, tutoring, doing the shopping and running errands, etc. On farms, pupils under the age of 15 are allowed to help with the harvest and take care of animals and thus earn some money.

Even very young pupils earn some extra pocket money as babysitters and look after or supervise small children for a short time, mostly in a private environment where people know each other.

If you are not allowed to work if you are under 13, why do children act in films?

It is true that there are exceptions for children working in theatre and music events, filming, television and radio productions. The law that regulates these exceptions is the Youth Employment Protection Act (JArbSchG).

The (JArbSchG) stipulates that children and young people under the age of 18 may only carry out certain types of work under special conditions. For theatre and music events, film shoots, television and radio productions, there are special rules to ensure that children and young people are not overworked and that their school attendance is not neglected.

In order to be allowed to carry out such work, the employer must apply to the competent authority and obtain permission. This approval procedure then also determines the modalities under which the children and young people are allowed to work.

Pupils are therefore allowed to earn money as actors as long as the applicable regulations for the protection of children and young people are observed.

Many young people dream of being able to work as an actor already as a child or teenager.

Can I earn money at the flea market as a pupil under 15?

Yes, as a pupil you can earn money by selling things at the flea market that you no longer need. However, to earn money at the flea market as a pupil under the age of 15, you need your parents’ permission. Just ask them if they allow you to do this, and maybe they’ll even join you. But make sure you know the rules and regulations of the flea market you want to attend. Some flea markets may have certain requirements or restrictions for vendors, so your parents will have to go with you.

As a pupil under 15, can I earn money by taking part in surveys?

Yes, it is possible to earn money from taking surveys as a pupil under the age of 15. There are some companies and websites that offer paid surveys and allow pupils to take part in them. Because the opinions of people under 15 are also important. Of course, you need your parents’ permission here too. Don’t spend too much time taking part in paid surveys. It is important that you have enough time for your schoolwork and other commitments. At mypinio, we therefore only allow registration for participation in paid surveys from the age of 16.

The desire to earn money as a pupil is understandable and comprehensible. People also want to fulfil their own wishes or help their parents. But learning is the top priority for every pupil.

I am over 15 years old, can I earn money as a pupil?

Between the ages of 15 and 17, you are considered an adolescent by the law and are allowed to work up to eight hours a day, between 6am and 8pm, if you are no longer of school age. There are restrictions that apply to protect adolescents. You are not allowed to work more than 40 hours a week, and only five days a week. It is important that you follow these rules to ensure that your health and welfare are protected. It is also important to ensure that your school performance does not suffer as a result of your work commitments. It is possible that young people in certain industries or occupations may have further restrictions that they must observe. Therefore, it is always advisable to find out about the applicable regulations in the field you want to work in.

If you are still at school, i.e. of compulsory school age, you are only allowed to work 2 hours a day, even if you are already 16 years old. During school holidays, however, you are allowed to earn money for up to four weeks a year, even if you are a pupil with compulsory education, and you can work up to 40 hours a week, but only between 6 am and 8 pm. Your parents must also give their consent for this.

As a pupil, do I have to pay social security contributions if I earn money with a mini-job?

As a pupil, you are allowed to have a mini-job where you earn up to 520 euros per month. This mini-job is exempt from social security contributions, which means that you do not have to pay any social security contributions. However, you usually have to pay a small contribution towards your pension insurance. However, you can apply for exemption from this contribution. To be exempted from this contribution, you have to apply to your employer. If you are not yet of age, one of your parents must sign the application before it is sent to your employer.

Some pupils who are very talented in certain school subjects earn money through private tuition

What jobs can I do to earn money as a pupil over 15?

There are many different jobs with which you can earn money as a pupil under 15. On the one hand, it depends on your personal interests and skills with which job you want to earn money. And it depends on what jobs are available in the area where you live. For example, if you live in a city that has a trade fair and congress centre, you can help out by setting up a stand and cleaning up. But check out the following tips on what other jobs there are to earn money as a pupil.

Cool jobs to earn money as a pupil

There are also really cool jobs where you can earn money as a pupil. For example, you can test online games or check different apps to see if they are user-friendly. Some companies are also looking for test persons to test the website for usability. If you already know how to program, you can also earn money as a pupil. You could also earn money as a pupil on Instagram if you have a lot of followers. For example, you could work as an influencer or promoter.

Jobs with a lot of responsibility

Other pupils earn money by looking after pets while the owners are on holiday or at work. You can also earn money as a babysitter as a pupil, which is a very responsible job where you have to be very reliable. You can also help with caring for the elderly if you feel able to do so. This is a very meaningful and not always very easy job.

Jobs in the restaurant business

In a restaurant, you can earn money as a pupil by helping out in the kitchen. There are also jobs in the catering industry where you have to clear tables, put dishes in the dishwasher and put the clean dishes back on the shelves. You could also serve food and drinks, for example in a fast food restaurant.

Retail jobs

You can also earn money as a pupil by stocking shelves in a supermarket or by cleaning. You could clean and dust display goods and make sure they always look presentable. Retail and department stores offer many more opportunities. The best thing to do is to find out more! Garden centres are also often looking for mini-jobbers, for example to water the plants.

Jobs where you can use your talents

If you are particularly good at something, for example playing music or drawing, you could think about using your talents to earn money. For example, you could give lessons or sell your artwork. You could also give private lessons in a subject in which you are a real rocket! Or you could try your hand at acting. Many film productions are always looking for extras and supporting actors. Would that be something for you?

Different jobs in your private sphere

You can also try to find a job in your private life, for example as a shopping assistant or for gardening or for various activities where a helping hand is needed, such as clearing out flats and cellars or helping around the house! You can ask people in your neighbourhood if there are things they no longer need and leave them to you, which you can then sell via classified ad portals.

Some pupils use their talent and earn money by giving music lessons

Where can I find a job as a pupil with which I can earn money?

Basically, there are countless ways to find a job that allows you to earn money as a pupil. It’s best to find out about job portals on the Internet that also offer mini-jobs for pupils! You can also often find jobs that you can do as a pupil on classified ad portals. Or look for a job that suits you in the local press or in advertising journals!

But there are other ways to find a job. Here you can find some valuable tips:

• Ask friends, family members or neighbours if they know if anyone has work available or if they themselves are looking for someone to work for them. You could also ask shops or businesses in your neighbourhood if they are currently looking for employees.
• Walk around the shops in your neighbourhood and just ask if they have jobs for pupils or look for notices with job offers in shop windows. Just keep your eyes open! Many businesses hire extra staff during the holiday season. Check with shops or businesses in your area to see if they are currently offering holiday jobs.
• Look around online: There are many websites and platforms that post jobs, such as Indeed or Monster. You could register on one of these platforms and search for jobs in your area.
• Use your network: Talk to your teachers, carers or other adults you trust and ask them if they know where you could find a job. They might have contacts or know of job opportunities that are suitable for pupils.
• Create a CV and cover letter and apply for jobs that you are interested in and that are suitable for you. Even if you don’t have much work experience, there are many companies that hire pupils for part-time jobs.
• Use social media: Use social media to find out about job opportunities and apply. For example, you could join groups aimed at pupils or share on your own profile that you are looking for a job.
  Consider online jobs: There are many online jobs that are suitable for pupils, such as virtual assistants or online tutors. Look around online to find such jobs.
• You can also take part in paid surveys and earn money as a pupil by giving your opinion! Many companies are looking for participants for paid surveys so they can improve their products and services. If you are 16 or older, you can also sign up right here: → register on mypinio

You’re sure to find a suitable job to earn some money. Just keep your ears and eyes open! We wish you much success.

This information was made available on 30 December 2022. This blog post does not constitute legal advice. The information may be out of date despite our constant efforts to keep the content on our website up to date.

Keywords of this blog post

Earn money | Pupils | Job for pupils