Education is a special time in the "growing up" of young people. It covers school, vocational training and, as a continuation, possibly university studies.
All stages have one thing in common:
There is a lack of self-earned money. That leaves trainees dependent on outside financial support to cover the costs that arise and to fulfill their wishes.
The most common solution is to receive money from parents or relatives. Government grants or funding are also a normal form of material support.
As a rule, this covers basic needs.
But what if the formal requirements for it are missing, or your own wishes grow?
The only realistic and legal option is to earn money alongside your education, your own money.
This depends on the relevant conditions.

Making money alongside your education: during school

Here it is important to know and comply with both the physical and the legal requirements.
Above all, it is important to obtain the consent of the legal guardians and to present it to the potential employer. This also applies to the corresponding contractual form of the work agreement.
Above all, this work must not interfere with compulsory schooling.
This results in a narrowly drawn framework of possible jobs and services. The same applies to the time available each day to earn money alongside your education.
It should also be noted that children and teenagers of compulsory school age have no legal capacity, or only limited legal capacity, to enter into contracts.

Possible ways to earn money alongside school (observe youth protection laws!):

  • Mail or newspaper delivery
  • Helping neighbors
  • Part-time help in shops
  • Manageable childcare tasks.

Making money alongside your education: during vocational training

Here, because of age (usually after finishing school), the physical and legal scope for part-time work widens. Here, too, age-dependent consent from legal guardians is necessary.
As with school, the same applies here: this additional work for earning money
must not have a limiting effect on the training. A corresponding contractual arrangement between the trainee and the client (with the consent of the legal guardians where necessary) is mandatory.

Making money alongside your education



Possible jobs for earning money on the side while complying with youth protection laws:

  • general jobs without completed training or licensing requirements
  • extensive childcare tasks without required permits
  • auxiliary jobs in retail, industry and logistics without corresponding requirements
  • other side jobs as well as support within the training (tutoring, among others).

Making money alongside your education: during university studies
This kind of additional income is common practice in the field of university education. Because students are usually of legal age, there is no fundamental restriction on gainful employment. This applies to the physical strain as well as to the legal framework and the time frame you set yourself (note individual exceptions!). Here, however, it is especially important to comply with legal requirements such as tax law, employment law and other statutory rules.
Of course, this kind of income should not unduly interfere with your primary educational task.

Possible jobs alongside university studies can include:

  • any kind of physical and mental work, with or without licensing, in all fields, given suitable aptitude
  • special kinds of academic support, depending on the qualifications you have
  • jobs in retail, supply, hospitality and other service sectors.