How can I, as a foreign student, complete an internship in Germany?
April 17, 2022 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Leonie Eiserfelder
Dear lawyer,
My name is Ella Rosenblatt and I am a foreign student studying in Germany. I am facing the challenge of wanting to do an internship in Germany to expand my professional skills and gain practical experience. However, I am unsure of the legal requirements that I, as a foreign student, need to fulfill in order to be able to do an internship in Germany.
The current situation is as follows: I have a valid residence permit for students and possess a valid student ID. I am motivated and ready to start an internship in Germany to deepen my knowledge and acquire new skills. However, I am unsure if as a foreign student, I even have the possibility to do an internship in Germany and if I need specific permits or documents.
My concern is that I may face restrictions in doing an internship in Germany due to my foreign nationality and student status. However, I want to make sure that I follow all necessary steps and do not encounter any legal issues.
Therefore, my question to you is: How can I, as a foreign student, do an internship in Germany? What legal requirements do I, as a foreign student, need to fulfill in order to do an internship in Germany? Are there specific permits or documents that I need to apply for? And what steps do I need to take to achieve my goal?
Thank you in advance for your support and help with this matter.
Sincerely,
Ella Rosenblatt
Dear Mrs. Rosenblatt,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the possibility of completing an internship in Germany as a foreign student. I am happy to be able to assist you on this matter.
In general, it is possible for foreign students to do internships in Germany. However, there are certain legal requirements that you, as a foreign student, must meet in order to be able to do an internship in Germany.
First and foremost, it is important that you have a valid residence permit for students. Since you already have such a residence permit, that is a good starting point. You will also need a valid student ID to prove that you are enrolled as a student in Germany.
If you are required to do a mandatory internship as a foreign student, it is usually part of your study program and you do not need any additional permissions. In this case, you can simply start the internship without any worries.
However, if it is a voluntary internship, different regulations apply. In this case, you need to ensure that the internship meets the requirements of a sideline activity. This means that as a foreign student, you are allowed to work a maximum of 120 full days per year alongside your studies. An internship usually counts as a sideline activity.
To make sure that you meet all the legal requirements, I recommend contacting your local foreigner's office. There, you can inquire about the specific regulations and apply for a work permit for the internship if necessary.
In summary, it is generally possible for foreign students to do internships in Germany. Make sure to comply with the given conditions and seek necessary permissions in a timely manner.
I hope this information has been helpful to you and wish you success in your desired internship in Germany.
Best regards,
Leonie Eiserfelder
Attorney at Law
