The age at which one can start working in Germany is a concern not only for students and their parents but also for employers seeking to hire young individuals.
Related topic: How to find a high-paying job in Germany
In Germany, children and young people are generally allowed to earn their own pocket money, but the law imposes certain restrictions on their activities and working hours, varying with age.
Minimum working age in Germany
There is a minimum age for employment in Germany, as children and young people are under special protection and support from the state.
The law establishes specific rules for different age groups, including:
- Permissible types of activities;
- Working hours;
- Breaks.
This also depends on whether children and young people are still required to attend school or have already completed their secondary education.
In Germany, the Youth Employment Protection Act (JArbSchG) regulates whether children and young people are allowed to work and under what conditions.
The law defines a child as anyone under 15 years old and a young person as someone who has reached the age of 15 but has not yet turned 18.
Strictly speaking, children under 15 are prohibited from working, with two exceptions. The law allows children aged 13 and older to engage in light work suitable for them, with the consent of their legal guardians.
These activities should not endanger the safety, health, and development of children, their school attendance, or participation in career guidance activities. Exceptions include film and sound recordings or musical performances, for which employers must obtain permission from the relevant supervisory authority.
Children under 15 can work a maximum of 5 days a week for 2 hours each day, with a maximum total weekly working time of 10 hours. Importantly, the work should not jeopardize the child's health or impact their attention and performance.
Working hours for 15-Year-Olds
Young people aged 15 to 17 are allowed to work longer hours, with a maximum of 40 hours per month, equivalent to a maximum of 5 days a week. The daily working time should not exceed 8 hours between 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM.
From the age of 16, young people are permitted to work in the hospitality sector and similar shift work until 10 or 11 PM. From the age of 15, they are also allowed to enter into permanent employment, provided they have at least a secondary school certificate.
Break times are also regulated, requiring a half-hour break after 4.5 hours of work and a full-hour break after 6 hours. Generally, work on weekends is prohibited, with exceptions based on industry requirements (§16 and §17 JArbSchG).
Related topics:
The minimum working age in Germany is regulated by the Youth Employment Protection Act (JArbSchG), with children under 15 being largely prohibited from working, except for light work with guardian approval.
Under the JArbSchG, young people aged 15 to 17 can work for up to 40 hours per month, including shift work in the hospitality sector, provided they have a secondary school certificate.
