Student work in Europe: how many hours can you work in each country and how much can you earn?

"I'll go to Europe, study, find a student job and cover part of my costs." It sounds simple on paper, but when you look at the countries three important questions appear: how many hours are we allowed to work? How much do we earn from those hours? And how much is left at the end of the month after rent and living costs? For a real answer you need to look at three things together: work permission + income + cost of living.

First, drop one common misconception

Student work is not meant to replace proof of funds. When you apply for a visa or study residence permit, you usually have to show that you can cover your living costs. So the plan "I don't have enough money, I'll go and work there" is not a safe plan. A more realistic plan is: "I have the money to start, and I will manage part of my ongoing costs with student work."

Summary of allowed working hours

This table does not say which country is better; working hours are only one factor. Rules may change; check each country's official immigration website before deciding.

Germany: up to 140 full days or 280 half days

Non-EU students in Germany can work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per year. A half day is usually counted as up to four hours. During studies there is also a framework of up to 20 hours per week.

Germany's statutory minimum wage in 2026 is €13.90 per hour. As a rough guide: 20 hours/week × €13.90 ≈ €1,200 gross per month. But this is gross; taxes, insurance and contract terms change the final amount, and not every student job pays exactly the minimum wage.

Hungary: up to 30 hours per week

According to the EU Immigration Portal, a non-EU student with a study residence permit in Hungary may work up to 30 hours per week during studies and full-time for up to 90 days per year outside the study period. That means an international student in Budapest can dedicate considerable time to work.

But one important point: being allowed to work 30 hours is different from finding 30 hours of work. Finding a suitable job depends on language, experience, your study schedule and the job market.

Romania: up to 4 hours per day

According to the EU Immigration Portal, non-EU students in Romania may work part-time for up to 4 hours per day during their studies without a separate work authorisation. Knowing Romanian, which you learn in the preparatory year, greatly increases your chances of finding work.

Finland: an average of 30 hours per week

A student with a study residence permit in Finland may work an average of 30 hours per week, i.e. 120 hours per month or 1,560 hours per year. The limit is calculated as an annual average, so you may work more in some weeks as long as the average is respected by the end of the year. Finland has no single national minimum wage like Germany; many wages are set by collective agreements in each sector.

Austria: up to 20 hours per week

In Austria, non-EU students need a permit to work. For up to 20 hours per week, a permit can be obtained without a labour market test; the employer must apply to the Public Employment Service Austria (AMS). So having a student residence permit does not mean you can start any job without formalities.

Italy, France, the Netherlands and Poland

• Italy: up to 20 hours/week and 1,040 hours per year. Living costs in Milan cannot be compared with smaller cities; the same income has very different purchasing power in two cities.
• France: up to 964 hours per year without a separate work permit, about 60% of a normal annual working time. The limit is annual and hours can be distributed differently.
• Netherlands: one option is up to 16 hours/week, plus full-time work in the summer months. The employer must obtain the required permit. The 2026 minimum hourly wage starts at €14.71 for those aged 21 and over and differs for younger workers.
• Poland: for students staying on the basis of full-time study residence, work without a separate permit is possible under certain conditions; residence status and the type of programme matter.

Turkey

According to the official Study in Europe page for Turkey, student work requires a work permit; graduate students may work on research projects and bachelor's students may work part-time up to 24 hours per week.

The most important part: real income

Suppose you earn €15 per hour in one country and €10 in another. At first glance the choice is obvious. But if rent is €800 in the first country and €400 in the second, the story changes completely. For a real comparison use this formula:

A more realistic example

Suppose a student works 20 hours per week at €12 per hour. Gross monthly income is about €960. Now suppose these are the costs:

So when someone says "I earn €1,000 a month", you should ask: how much is left after costs?

How much does language affect finding work?

A lot. Suppose you speak good English in Germany but no German. Some international companies will be fine, but for work in shops, restaurants or anywhere with local customers, German opens many more options. The same applies in France, Italy, Hungary, Romania and Finland.

Can student work cover all living costs?

Sometimes it covers a large part, but it is better not to build your financial plan on that assumption, because you might not find work for a few weeks, have exams and work fewer hours, have variable income, face unexpected costs, or find a job that pays less than expected. Student work should be part of your financial plan, not the whole plan.

A more important point: work related to your field

Suppose you study Business Administration. You can work in a restaurant and earn money. But if you find a part-time job in Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, Finance or Administration, you also gain experience that will later add value to your CV. So sometimes the better question is: "Which job pays and also helps my future career?"

Five questions for choosing a country

1. How many hours are you allowed to work? Check the student residence rules.
2. What is the average student wage? Not the salary of an experienced specialist.
3. How much is rent? Preferably check student rooms or shared apartments.
4. What opportunities do you have without the local language?
5. What happens after graduation? The goal is not only covering costs during studies.

So, which country should you choose?

Do not decide just by seeing "30 hours" or "20 hours". A country may allow 30 hours of work, but finding work without the local language may be hard; another may allow 20 hours but pay higher wages; or wages may be good, but rent may take a large share of your income. A good comparison combines these six factors: work permission, wages, cost of living, language, job market and career prospects.

Frequently asked questions