Anyone who works while studying must keep an eye on their insurance status. With 20 hours a week there are usually no problems. But is more also possible?
Berlin (dpa / tmn) - Almost every student who works next to the university knows the 20-hour rule. But can you exceed this limit?
Working students are people who study and have compulsory student insurance - even if the term does not really have any meaning under labor law, as Peter Meyer, specialist lawyer for labor law, explains. Employers do not have to pay contributions to statutory health and long-term care insurance for these student employees.
Behind the 20-hour limit is the following consideration: "The job as a student predominates," explains Meyer. Anyone who works more than 20 hours a week during the semester is no longer primarily a student.
"However, exceptions may apply," explains Meyer. If you can demonstrate that working hours do not conflict with your studies, you may be able to work more than 20 hours a week without the employer having to pay health and nursing care insurance contributions. The situation is also different during the semester break: "If you have student insurance, you can, for example, work 40 hours a week for six weeks at a time," says Meyer.
If the employer is not sure, he should have the insurance status of the working student he employs checked with the health insurance company. "There are no very clear regulations," said Meyer.
Personal details: Peter Meyer is a specialist lawyer for labor law and a member of the executive committee of the labor law working group in the German Lawyers' Association (DAV).