Holiday Job or Vacation Job - Working-in-Germany
 
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Holiday Job


Definition, Explanation

A holiday job is a legal fixed-term employment relationship of a school student. Conditions and regulations regarding the employment of children in Germany are governed by the Jugendarbeitsschutzgesetz (JArbSchG - Protection of Young Persons at Work Act). In principle the employment of children under the age of 13 is prohibited. Children aged 13 - 15 may only do some kinds of light work and for no more than two (or three agricultural work) hours on a day.

A job is regarded as a holiday job if

  • children aged 13 or 14 do small jobs up to a maximum of 2 hours on a day, see child labour
  • young persons aged 15 to 17 work for a maximum of 40 hours per week, for a period lasting 20 work days and during school holidays
  • school or university students aged 18 or older work on 50 days within one year or continuously for 2 months in a row

The employer must ensure

  • that working hours do not exceed 8 hours per day
  • that work is only done on the 5 work days of the week
  • that there is no work done on Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, whereas there are exceptions for certain types of businesses, e.g. gastronomy, retirement homes etc.
  • that the young person does not perform any work involving health hazards or other hazards, i.e. does not handle e.g. a chainsaw or a health-hazardous substance nor works in extreme conditions such as heat or cold
  • compliance with the regulations on youth employment protection, including medical examinations

Children under 18 may do light work, such as:

  • errands
  • light construction work
  • sort-and-shelve work
  • participate in media- and cultural productions, requiring individual permission certified especially for children under the age of 15

Social insurance and tax for holiday jobs:

  • Since the work does not legally last for a period longer than 4 weeks in one calendar year, the young person is exempt from having to take out health-, nursing-care-, pension- and unemployment-insurance for that (insurance becomes compulsory when a person works for 50 days or for 2 months and longer)
  • Income tax is deduced from wages. Wages from a Minijob (up to 400 Euros per month) are exempt from tax
  • Children and young persons working in a holiday job are automatically insured in statutory accident insurance

Holiday jobbers are employees. Accordingly, they are legally entitled to continued payment of wages in the case of illness, holiday pay, Christmas money on a pro rata basis, holiday and income.

In all-day contexts, the term Ferienjob (holiday job) is also used for work that is done by full-aged persons during their school holidays or university semester breaks. If the young person still attends school, the above conditions apply. In all other cases, the regulations for youth employment protection do not apply any longer, and the legal framework for Mini-Jobs, side jobs and for normal employment applies.

Tips, Checklist

  • When working in a holiday job as a school student, you are an employee. Therefore, you have to present your income tax card to your employer
  • If you have tax class I, you need not deduce tax as long as your monthly income does not exceed 898.65 Euros
  • If your monthly income does exceed the above amount, you should file an income tax declaration. Often you will be refunded the tax you paid, either partially or completely. If you earn less than 7,664 Euros in a year, then your income is exempt from tax
  • Consider working in a holiday job or even as an intern abroad. Working abroad will help you to improve your language skills. Some cities and districts offer holiday jobs in twin towns
  • Search job portals, they often offer holiday jobs. You can also send an unsolicited application directly to a company. Especially larger companies like to offer young people holiday jobs, because it serves their public image and is ideal for first contacts
  • Use the opportunity of gaining job experience during a holiday job and the possibility to make contacts to help you to take a step towards your “dream job”
  • If you already are of age and work for a period longer than 4 weeks, you are well-advised to keep an eye on your income, otherwise it might have influence on your entitlement to child benefit and BAFöG: child benefits you or your parents have received, must be paid back if you earn more than 7,680 Euros in one year. Your BAFöG will be reduced if you earn more than 255 Euros per month



Last update: 08/03/2010
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