Side Income: Working Legally While Training

Extra income is allowed if your Ausbildung stays primary and your trainer agrees in writing when required. Read your contract and the €603 Minijob rules before you accept a second shift.

1. The Legal Framework

Your training contract (Ausbildungsvertrag) is your primary job. Additional work must not interfere with it. Your trainer can restrict side jobs if they conflict.

Visa rule: Your residence permit ties you to your primary training. Working on the side is allowed, but the Ausbildung must remain your focus. If you switch focus, you violate visa terms. Rest rule: German law requires 11 hours rest between shifts. Count training + side job together. Do not schedule back-to-back shifts that break this. If your boss pressures you, point them to the rest rule and the expectations in the Work stage (Rights & Hierarchy).

2. Minijob (€603/Month Rule)

Best option: A Minijob (marginal employment). As of January 2026, you can earn up to €603/month (linked to the €13.90 minimum wage) without major tax implications.

• How it works: Employer registers you with social insurance as a geringfügig Beschäftigter (marginally employed person).
• Taxes: Employer pays a flat 2% social insurance contribution. You owe no income tax on this amount.
• What counts as work: Serving in a café, tutoring, freelance work, delivery driving.
• Important: Only 1 Minijob permitted. You can't stack multiple €603 jobs.
• Contract: Get a written contract with hours, pay rate, and start date.

3. Part-Time Job (Over €603)

If you earn more than €603/month, you enter regular employment. This is fine, but:

• Taxes apply: Income tax, health insurance contribution, unemployment insurance.
• Hours matter: Don't exceed your training hours too much. If your training is full-time (37.5 hrs/week), working 20+ extra hours weekly might violate your contract.
• Employer approval: Get written permission from your trainer before taking a second job.
• Example: Train 37.5 hrs/week, work 8-10 hrs/week at a café = acceptable. Train 37.5 hrs/week, work 25 hrs/week = likely a violation.

4. Tax Filing (Steuererklärung)

Even if you have a Minijob, filing taxes is smart. You often get money back.

• Why file: Your Ausbildung income has taxes withheld. If your side income is low, overall tax is less than withheld. You get a refund.
• How to file: Use ELSTER (free official online platform) or hire a Steuerberater (tax consultant, ~€50 to 100).
• Deadline: For the prior tax year, self filers usually have until 31 July (e.g. 2025 income due 31 July 2026); tax advisors get longer extensions.
• Documents needed: Employment contracts, payslips from both jobs, proof of payments.

5. Get Money Back: The Tax Return

Training costs are often deductible (Werbungskosten): textbooks, scrubs, work shoes, laptop for school, and travel to class. Even on a low trainee salary, filing can return €200 to 500 per year. Keep receipts and file via ELSTER or a tax app.

6. What Counts as 'Work'

• Allowed: Serving in restaurants, tutoring, delivery driving (Deliveroo, Wolt), freelance writing, babysitting, tutoring.
• Careful: Your contract might forbid work in competing fields. If you train at Hospital A, working at Hospital B might be forbidden.
• Not allowed: Working for cash under the table (Schwarzarbeit). It's illegal, uninsured, and puts you at risk.
• Self-employment: Freelance work requires registration (Gewerbeanmeldung). Cost: ~€25. You'll owe self-employment taxes but have freedom.

7. Earnings Reality Check

Minijob €603/month: Realistic for restaurant/café work. That's about €13 to 14/hour typical at the 2026 minimum wage.

Part-time €1000/month: Requires ~10-12 hrs/week at €15+/hour (tutoring pays better than food service).

Net income after taxes: If earning €1000/month gross, expect ~€750 to 800 net after all deductions.