Employment for Minors in Germany: At What Age Can You Start Working Part-Time?

In Germany, teenagers can hold part-time jobs, but the rules depend on their age, school attendance requirements, and the type of work. The basic principle of the Jugendarbeitsschutzgesetz (JArbSchG) is as follows: work is generally prohibited for those under 15, but starting at age 13, there are limited exceptions for light work with parental consent; for those aged 15 to 18, there are more opportunities, but restrictions remain regarding working hours, night work, days off, and hazardous tasks.

In Brief: What Parents and Teens Need to Know

• Children under 13 are not permitted to hold regular part-time jobs.
• Starting at age 13, children may only perform light work appropriate for their age if their parents or legal guardians consent.
• Particularly strict limits apply to children aged 13–14 and teenagers who are still required to attend school full-time.
• Starting at age 15, students can take a Ferienjob during school breaks, but there are limits on how long students can work.
• Until the age of 18, children may not be assigned work that is hazardous to their health, development, education, or safety.
• Before starting work, it’s a good idea to check the rules with your employer, school, or the local Arbeitsschutz authority if you have any doubts.

What laws regulate child and adolescent labor

The main documents are the Jugendarbeitsschutzgesetz (JArbSchG) and the Kinderarbeitsschutzverordnung (KindArbSchV). They distinguish between:

• Kinder - children under 15 years of age;
• Jugendliche - teenagers aged 15 to 18;
• vollzeitschulpflichtige Jugendliche - adolescents aged 15–17 who are still subject to full-time compulsory education. For them, many of the rules are similar to those for children.

Important: Being 15 years old does not in itself always mean the freedom to work like an adult. If a teenager is still attending school as part of compulsory education, the restrictions remain significantly stricter.

Working at Ages 13 and 14

Starting at age 13, only light work that does not interfere with school or harm one’s health is permitted. Parental or guardian consent is usually required.

Examples of Permissible Light Work

Such activities typically include:

• delivering newspapers, magazines, and advertising flyers;
• helping in the garden, caring for plants, and simple household chores;
• babysitting or assisting the elderly in a private household, provided the work is safe;
• tutoring elementary school students;
• helping out with a sports or cultural club, provided the tasks are light and age-appropriate;
• caring for pets, provided there is no increased risk.

To find such part-time jobs, people use personal contacts, local classifieds, neighborhood groups, school bulletin boards, and specialized platforms. For example, the service ErsteKinderbetreuung may be used for babysitting, but the terms of the specific platform and age requirements must be checked separately.

How many hours can a 13- or 14-year-old work?

For children over 13 and adolescents who are subject to full-time compulsory education, the following guidelines generally apply:

• a maximum of 2 hours per day;
• on a family farm—up to 3 hours per day;
• not before school and not during class;
• not between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.;
• generally, no more than 5 days a week;
• Work must remain light, safe, and must not interfere with academic performance.

If a job resembles the typical work of an adult employee, requires heavy physical labor, or poses a risk of injury, it is most likely not suitable for a 13- or 14-year-old.

Summer Jobs Starting at Age 15

Teenagers aged 15 and older have more flexibility in their work, especially during school breaks. For students who are still required to attend school full-time, Ferienjob is limited to no more than 4 weeks per calendar year. During these periods, limits of up to 8 hours per day and up to 40 hours per week generally apply.

For teenagers aged 15–17, who are no longer subject to full-time compulsory schooling, the standard framework is also based on 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, and 40 hours a week. Work must generally take place during daytime hours, between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

There are industry-specific exceptions. For example, in the food service industry, teenagers over 16 may work later into the evening under certain conditions, and special rules may apply to bakeries and certain shift-based work arrangements. It is best to verify such exceptions in the JArbSchG and with the employer before signing a contract.

What types of work minors are not allowed to perform

Work must not be dangerous, harmful, or excessively strenuous. Minors must not be assigned tasks that:

• involve a high risk of accidents;
• involve working with dangerous machinery, equipment, or substances;
• expose workers to harmful effects of noise, heat, cold, vibration, or chemicals;
• require regular lifting of heavy loads that are inappropriate for the child’s age and physical development;
• interfere with schooling, leisure, and normal development;
• Night work is prohibited unless there is a legal exception for a specific situation.

References to specific weight limits in the source articles are often presented out of context. In practice, the general criteria are more important: the work must be light, safe, and age-appropriate. In case of a dispute, the deciding factors are not the job posting description, but the requirements of the JArbSchG and KindArbSchV, as well as the employer’s risk assessment.

Vacation Time for Workers Under 18

If a teenager works under an employment contract, they are entitled to vacation time. The minimum duration under the JArbSchG depends on their age at the start of the calendar year:

Age at the start of the calendar year	Minimum vacation
under 16	30 working days
under 17	27 working days
under 18	25 working days

These figures refer to workdays as defined by law. If a company uses a different workweek model, it is best to check the actual calculations with your employer or consult a labor law specialist.

What to Check Before Starting a Part-Time Job

Before accepting a job offer, teens and their parents should go through a short checklist:

1. Age and school status: Is the child already 13, 15, or older?
2. Is there written or at least explicitly confirmed parental consent?
3. How many hours per day and per week does the employer offer?
4. Does the work take place before school, during class time, late in the evening, or at night?
5. Are there any heavy, dangerous, or physically unsuitable tasks?
6. Is it clear who the employer is, how the work is paid, and whether a contract has been signed?
7. Are additional permits or certificates required for a specific industry?

Where to Look for a Part-Time Job

For minors, local and simple channels are usually the best fit:

• announcements in the neighborhood, at school, at a sports club, or at a Verein;
• cafes, stores, libraries, cultural centers, and small local organizations;
• recommendations from families you know;
• local social media groups;
• city and district bulletin boards;
• Official “Ferienjob” job listings from companies that explicitly hire teenagers.

When searching for a job, it’s important not only to find a vacancy but also to check whether it’s appropriate for your age. If an employer offers a 13-year-old evening shifts, work in a kitchen with equipment, or full shifts on weekends, this is a reason to decline and verify the legality of the offer.

FAQ

Is it possible to work in Germany before the age of 13?

Regular part-time work is not permitted for children under 13. There may be certain special cases, such as in the cultural sector, but these are regulated separately and usually require permits.

Can a 15-year-old student work for the entire summer break?

No, not if the teenager is still required to attend school full-time. For this group, summer jobs are limited to a maximum of 4 weeks per calendar year.

Is parental consent required?

Yes, parental or legal guardian consent is crucial for minors to work, especially for children aged 13 and older.

Is it possible to work in the evening at a café?

For children aged 13–14—no, because work is permitted only during limited daytime hours. For teenagers over 16, exceptions may apply in the food service industry, but these depend on specific conditions and do not override the other requirements of the Jugendarbeitsschutzgesetz.