Ferienjob in Germany — Frequently Asked Questions

The entire process typically takes 2–4 months depending on your country, embassy waiting times, and how quickly you submit your documents. We recommend starting your application at least 3–4 months before your desired start date.

Yes, applying through Ferienjob Germany is completely free. You may however incur costs for visa fees at the German embassy and travel expenses, which are your own responsibility.

Ferienjob Germany (operated by SHB Personalservice GmbH) coordinates your placement and guides you through every step. Your actual employer in Germany is Abax Personaldienstleistungen GmbH, which provides and signs your work contract.

Eight documents, all uploaded in your portal account under My Documents: passport, student ID, Immatrikulationsbescheinigung (enrolment certificate), Declaration of Certificate of Enrolment, CV, academic calendar, police clearance certificate and certificate of residence. Each document has its own upload field — never upload the same file twice. PDF or JPG, maximum 2 MB per file. All eight must be complete before your application can be submitted. The German embassy may request additional documents for your visa.

Basic English is enough. German is a plus but not required. The level required can depend on the employer and the industry.

We recommend it. In many cases you need official confirmations such as semester dates or an enrollment certificate. Clarify early what documents your university can provide.

You will earn at least the German minimum wage of €15.33 per hour. Depending on the employer and sector, higher rates are possible. Your exact wage and working hours will be stated in your contract.

The maximum duration is 90 calendar days within any 12-month period under the Ferienjob regulation (§14 Abs. 2 BeschV). The 90 days are counted across all Ferienjob employments in Germany within those 12 months.

Working hours are set in your contract and depend on the employer and sector. Full-time schedules are common during the holiday period, as this is a seasonal job.

It depends on the sector. Logistics and production can be physically demanding, while hospitality is more moderate. You can indicate your preferences or limitations in your registration form.

All sizes in your profile are EU men's sizes: T-shirts S–XXXL by chest measurement, trousers by waist size in inches (W28–W44) and safety shoes in EU shoe sizes. ABAX orders your work clothes and safety shoes in exactly these sizes, so please check them carefully. Not sure? Use the measuring assistant in your profile: enter your chest, waist and foot length in centimetres and the portal sets the right sizes for you. A conversion table (EU / US / UK / Asia) is shown there as well. Safety shoes run a little tight – if you are between two sizes, choose the larger one.

As a short-term seasonal worker your deductions can differ from regular employment. The exact amounts depend on your individual situation and are shown on your payslip. We are not able to give individual tax advice.

In most cases accommodation is organized and provided near the workplace. Shared housing costs around 25–30 € per night per person (only rarely cheaper) and is usually deducted directly from your salary. Exact conditions depend on the employer and will be clearly stated in your contract. The price is set by the landlord — ABAX has no influence on it. If you find your own accommodation, tell us at least 2 weeks before your arrival date, or at least 2 weeks before the end of the month if you move during your stay. A move during the month is only possible if the landlord agrees. From that point ABAX no longer provides accommodation and no longer supports you with housing matters or with your journey to work.

Typical costs include document preparation, visa application fees at the embassy, and your flight to Germany. Accommodation (usually 25–30 € per night per person) is organized for you and deducted from salary. The price is set by the landlord, not by ABAX. The application itself is free.

Your salary is paid by your employer according to the schedule in your contract. Accommodation costs are typically deducted directly from your pay, so what you receive is your net amount after those deductions. See our step-by-step guide: Understanding your German payslip.