Work While Study: Rules in 8 European Countries

By Saumil Baraiya, Founder, Nexvia · Published Nov 18, 2024 · Last reviewed 2 Jun 2026 · 9 min read · Category: Work & Career

Can you work while studying in Europe? Here are the exact work hour limits, tax rules, and job tips for 8 popular countries.

Working part-time while studying is a great way to cover expenses and gain experience. Here are the rules in 8 European countries.\n\nGermany - 120 full days or 240 half days/year\nPoland - No limit during holidays; 20 hrs/week during semester\nFrance - 964 hours/year (about 20 hrs/week)\nNetherlands - 16 hrs/week (or full-time June-August)\nItaly - 20 hrs/week\nIreland - 20 hrs/week (40 hrs during holidays)\nUK - 20 hrs/week (full-time during holidays)\nSpain - 20 hrs/week\n\nBest Jobs for Students\n- Working student (Werkstudent) positions in Germany\n- Restaurant/cafe jobs\n- Tutoring and teaching\n- Freelance/remote work\n- University research assistant\n\nPro Tip: In Germany, Werkstudent positions pay €12-18/hour and give you real industry experience.