If you are considering working partially in Germany (since you are studying), this is perhaps the most appropriate way, not only because of its partiality and small source of income, but because it will give you the perfect way to introduce yourself to the country, learn the language, as well as take your first steps in the German territory.
Mini-jobs emerged in Germany in 2003, these are characterized by the following points:
- Your salary cannot be more than €538/month net (in 2024), since they would not be considered a mini-jobs
- They are listed in retirement insurance.
- You are not entitled to medical insurance (remember you must have it if or yes), so you will have to hire one on your own (don’t worry about having this type of contract, the prices will be reduced) or if you have another job in which you have insurance, this would be unified with the minijob.
- It can’t exceed 14 hours a week.
- Practical periods of professional training will not be considered a mini-job.
- The worker will be exempt from paying taxes or social contributions.
- The worker will be responsible for the payment of accident insurance.
1. What is the salary of a mini-job in Germany?
The salary of a mini-job is the same as the German minimum wage, which in 2024 is €12.41 gross per hour (mindestlohngesetz).
2. What kind of jobs are they usually?
Waiters, kitchen assistants, logistics, cleaning, sales, childcare or homework assistants.
3. What is the competent body?
On its website. www.minijob-zentrale.de you can find more specifications or regulations. These are covered by the Mindestlohngesetz.
4. How many hours do you work in a mini-job in Germany?
The weekly maximum would be 14 hours per week or 53 hours per month.
However, there are jobs where they pay more per hour worked. For example, in service or sales areas, a worker can receive 10 euros per hour, which would be equivalent to working 45 hours a month on average. Working time is also reduced when the employee receives less than 538 euros per month, which is also possible.
Overtime is not paid, but you may work a lot a month (exceeding 14 hours per week) but the month that you don’t have many days of work, you can charge it for those overtime you did the previous month, or you can accumulate them for vacations or days off.
What you have to keep in mind is that you never exceed 635 hours a year, because otherwise it would exceed the ceiling of 6.456 euros per year, since this would no longer consider a minijob, but a job, which would have to assume other tax burdens.
5. How many Minijobs can you have?
A person can have several Minijobs at the same time. But pay attention to the following:
- Case 1: Main activity + minijob/s
A person with a main activity will be able to have, at the same time, ONE minijob. In that case, you will quote only for the contract related to your main activity, but in the case of having more than one minijob, this new minijob will be included in your main job and you will have to quote it as such.
- Case 2: Several mini-jobs
These may not exceed 538 euros per month together, since otherwise it would no longer be considered a minijob, therefore, the worker automatically enters the group of those who must contribute. This is also the responsibility of companies, which must assume other contributions and taxes when the employee is not a “Minijobber”. Therefore, it is common that when a person applies for a Minijob, they ask him if he has other alternating jobs.
6. What rights do I have?
Mini-jobs have the same right as any other worker. Therefore, they have:
- Paid vacation
- Maternity or paternity leave
- Time notice of dismissal
7. Where to find Minijobs in Germany?
On the following pages you can find some job offers:
- minijobs.info
- www.minijob-zentrale.de
- indeed.de,
- jobbörse.de
- berlinstartupjobs.com
- and searched in different Facebook groups, such as Mini Jobs Berlin, Jobs Berlin-Brandenburg, English Jobs Berlin
- Also in this link you will also find more job portals.
8. What documents do you need to provide to work on a mini-job?
- ID/ Passport
- Anmeldung
- German tax identification number (Steueridentifikationsnummer)
- A German health insurance certificate (Mitgliedsbescheinigung)
- A German social security certificate (Sozialversicherungsausweis)
- *A work visa for Germany if you are not a citizen of an EU/EEA member state
- German bank details or if you have a European bank account, it may be worth it.
- *A police control: especially necessary if you work as a teacher or with children
- Red card (Rote Karte): it is only needed if food is handled in a restaurant, bar, cafeteria, etc.
9. What is a midijob?
A midijob is a type of contract that is placed in a gray zone, since it does not meet the characteristics of a minijob and, at the same time, represents a monthly income very close to those that would be obtained with a minijob.
A midijobber regularly earns between 538.01 Euros and 2,000.00 Euros per month (in 2024), who does not have to pay all social security contributions and who, however, is comprehensively insured in health, pension and unemployment insurance.
10. Can I have a minijob despite receiving unemployment benefit I or Employment Center benefits?
Yes. However, if you accept a minijob despite receiving unemployment benefit I or financial aid from the Jobcentre, you must take into account some things.
If you receive benefits from the Jobcenter:
- You must notify the Jobcentre of your mini-employment before starting. Otherwise, your benefits will be reduced.
- Jobcentre benefits are reduced based on your additional income. You can earn 100 euros a month plus 20% of the rest of the additional income you have earned. Everything you earn above that will be deducted from your unemployment benefit II. So, if, for example, you earn 450 euros, you can keep 100 euros plus 20% of the remaining 350 euros (450 euros minus 100 euros), that is, a total of 170 euros.
If you receive unemployment benefit I:
- You must notify your minijob to the employment office before starting.
- You can work a maximum of 14 hours and 59 minutes a week. If you work 15 hours or more a week, you are no longer considered unemployed and you will not receive unemployment benefit I.
- Your unemployment benefit is reduced based on your additional income. You can earn 165 euros a month when you receive unemployment benefit I. Anything you earn above that figure will be deducted from your unemployment benefit I.
Therefore, after this long article, I hope that this cumbersome issue has been clear to you.
