Internships and holiday jobs are a unique opportunity not only to gain professional experience, but also to learn about Germany and its workplace culture.
Holiday Jobs & Internships
Working in Germany as a UK student
Holiday Jobs in Germany
Although holiday employment is a type of economic activity, it is allowed for British citizens in Germany without a visa, provided you meet the following conditions:
- You’re enrolled at a recognised UK higher education institution (HEI); the Anabin database will tell you if your university or institution is recognised by the German authorities (“H+”) or not (“H-”);
- You are under 35 years of age;
- The holiday job falls outside term time;
- The cumulative duration of your holiday job(s) does not exceed 90 days in any calendar year; and
- Your holiday job has been approved by the German Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit).
Further details are available on the website of the German Missions in the UK.
You can arrange your holiday job directly with a German employer, in which case the employer will need to obtain approval from the Federal Employment Agency; further details (in German) are available here. Alternatively, you can apply directly to the Federal Employment Agency’s Central International and Specialist Placement Office (Zentrale Auslands- und Fachvermittlung, ZAV) to be placed with a suitable employer; this brochure (in German) contains all the relevant information on this process and on holiday jobs in general.
Details on how to apply and links to the relevant forms can be found here. For your application, you will need to submit:
- 2 copies of the completed application form for holiday jobs;
- A certificate of enrolment from your HEI;
- The declaration of certificate of enrolment completed by your HEI; and
- A copy of your passport.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive. You should check with the ZAV if your documentation is complete, and confirm with the German Consulate General in Edinburgh (if you live in Scotland) or the German Embassy in London (if you live in any other part of the UK) that your holiday job qualifies for visa-free travel to Germany. The deadline for applications is 31 January for holiday jobs in the same calendar year.
Study-Related Internships
If you’re enrolled at a UK university, you can complete a “study-related” work placement or internship in Germany once you have completed at least two years of an undergraduate degree. An internship is study-related if it’s relevant to the course or subject for which you’re enrolled in the UK.
To find an internship, you can contact suitable employers in Germany directly, or search the database of the German Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) for “Praktikum” vacancies.
For study-related internships in Germany up to 90 days, you don’t need a visa or residence permit, provided that your host employer or institution has obtained agreement from the German Federal Employment Agency. Under German law, study-related internships of up 90 days can be paid or unpaid and don’t require a formal contract.
For longer study-related internships (up to one year), you’ll need a visa or residence permit. As a British citizen, you can apply for a visa before you leave – from the German Consulate General in Edinburgh (if you live in Scotland) or from the German Embassy in London (if you live in any other part of the UK). Alternatively, you can travel to Germany without a visa and apply for a residence permit from the local immigration office within 90 days, but you may only start your internship once your permit has been granted.
If the internship you’re completing in Germany over a period of more than 90 days is a mandatory part of your degree, it can be paid or unpaid. All other study-related internships of more than 90 days must be paid under German law, and are subject to the German statutory minimum wage (currently €12.82/hour). You can find out more about funding options and student finance available for study-related internships abroad here.
Requirements for a study-related internship visa or residence permit include:
- Proof of enrolment at a UK university, including your subject, start date and expected completion date;
- Confirmation of agreement from the German Federal Employment Agency (as obtained by your host employer or institution);
- If you are not being paid the statutory minimum wage: confirmation from your university that the internship is a mandatory part of your course;
- Evidence of sufficient funds in the form of internship remuneration (at least €964 gross per month); a blocked account, scholarship or student finance (which you can combine to reach at least €934/month in total); or a German sponsor; and
- Evidence of health insurance cover in Germany (usually in the form of a UK GHIC or EHIC; travel insurance is not generally sufficient).
Please note that this list is not exhaustive. Full details on study-related internship visas are available on the website of the German Missions in the UK. Details on applying for a residence permit after your arrival are available from the relevant local immigration office in Germany. The fee for a visa is €75. A residence permit obtained in Germany after arrival will usually cost you €100.
Like everyone living in Germany, you must register as a resident with the local authority within 14 days of moving into your accommodation. You’ll need confirmation of your registration to apply for your residence permit, or to have your visa converted into a residence permit.
Other Internships
For all other types of internship in Germany – whether paid or unpaid – you’ll usually need a Schengen visa for short-term economic activity (for internships up to 90 days; please see here for details) or a work visa (for internships lasting more than 90 days; find out more here). Please contact the German Consulate General in Edinburgh (if you live in Scotland) or the German Embassy in London (if you live in any other part of the UK) for advice on your individual case.
Disclaimer: the information in this guide has been collated from government, academic, professional and public institution sources available at the time of publication. However, it is subject to change, and errors and omissions are excepted. Please always check directly with the relevant decision-making bodies and/or take professional advice for specific cases.