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Working Student (Werkstudent) Calculator 2026

Net salary for working students in Germany: only pension insurance and possibly income tax, thanks to the Werkstudent privilege.

Your details

Your net as a working student

Net per month

€1,238.07

from €1,385.60 gross

Pension insurance (9.3%)-€128.86
Income tax-€18.67
Net€1,238.07

As a working student you pay no health, long-term care or unemployment insurance from your salary. Student health insurance (about 125–145 €/month) is paid separately – or free via family insurance until age 25.

Why Werkstudent jobs pay off

The Werkstudent contract is the most lucrative way to work during your studies in Germany: while regular employees lose around 20 % of gross pay to social security, working students pay only the 9.3 % pension contribution. At 1,400 € gross per month that's over 150 € extra net – every month. Combined with the 12,348 € tax-free allowance, many working students take home almost their entire gross salary. Compare with a regular contract using the German salary calculator or check the minijob rules for smaller side jobs.

FAQ: Working students in Germany

What is the Werkstudent privilege?⌄
Enrolled students working alongside their studies are exempt from health, long-term care and unemployment insurance contributions – only the 9.3 % employee share of pension insurance applies. Condition: studies must remain the main occupation, i.e. at most 20 hours per week during lecture periods.
How much can I earn as a working student in Germany?⌄
There is no salary cap for Werkstudent status – the 20-hour limit is what matters. Higher earnings do become relevant for free family health insurance (limit 2026: roughly 535 €/month, 603 € for a minijob), for BAföG student aid, and possibly for parents' child benefit.
Do working students pay income tax?⌄
In principle yes, but usually little or nothing: in tax class 1, an annual gross of up to about 14,000 € stays tax-free thanks to the basic allowance of 12,348 € (2026) plus lump sums. Overpaid tax comes back via the annual tax return.
What happens if I work more than 20 hours per week?⌄
During lecture periods you lose the privilege and become fully liable to social security like a regular employee. Exceptions: semester breaks, weekends and evening/night work, as long as the extra work stays within 26 weeks per year.
How does health insurance work for international working students?⌄
Students under 25 can often stay in free family insurance if a parent is insured in Germany. Otherwise, student health insurance costs about 125–145 € per month including long-term care insurance. The Werkstudent job itself does not trigger separate health coverage.

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