140-day rule

Work-days tracker

Log the days you work. We count them exactly as § 16b of the Residence Act describes and always pick the method that is better for you. Your entries stay on this device.

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working days used

140 days left

Lecture periods (Vorlesungszeit)

Enter your university's lecture periods. Weeks inside them can use the 2.5-day rule only if you work up to 20 hours; outside them the 2.5-day rule always applies to part-time work.

How much you may work as a student

Your student residence permit allows work of up to 140 full working days per year. Jobs as a student assistant at your university (studentische Nebentätigkeit) don't count towards this limit.

Part-time work is counted in whichever of two ways is better for you, decided separately for each calendar week:
Method 1 (by day): a day with up to 4 hours of work counts as half a working day, a longer day as a full working day.
Method 2 (by week): a calendar week counts as 2.5 working days — during the lecture period only if you work up to 20 hours that week; outside the lecture period regardless of how the hours are spread.
Breaking the limit can put your residence permit at risk. Use our work-days tracker.

Source:§ 16b Residence Act (AufenthG) – studies· checked 9 Oct 2026

The law says "140 working days per year" but does not define which 12 months are meant. Ask your foreigners' office (Ausländerbehörde) how they count, and keep your payslips. This tool helps you keep track; it is not legal advice.