Working alongside school

Children under the age of 13 are generally not allowed to work in Germany. Children aged 13 and over may only work in certain jobs for a maximum of 2 hours a day with their parents' consent. The Child Labor Protection Ordinance specifies what these activities are.

Employing children and young people places a particular obligation on the employer to ensure their protection. Gainful employment must not have a negative impact on school education and generally must not take place before school or after 6 pm.

Young people between the ages of 15 and 17 may in principle be employed for up to 40 hours per week, but not if they are still required to attend school.

In this case, the same regulations apply as for children aged 13 and over, supplemented by the additional possibility of working 4 weeks per year during school vacations.

In general, young people may only be employed between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., from the age of 16 until 10 p.m. in the hospitality industry and until 11 p.m. in shift work. Work at weekends is only permitted in clearly defined exceptional sectors.