Where Student Workers Earn the Most: Minimum Wage in Europe by Country
Ireland pays €14.15/hour, effective January 2026 — the highest statutory minimum wage of all seven WSA destinations. Germany is a close second at €13.90/hour, rising to a planned €14.60 from January 2027, while Malta is the lowest earner at €5.74/hour. Poland has no statutory hour cap, making it the most flexible on work permissions, though at a lower wage.
The Full Table: Minimum Wage and Work Hours by Country
All wages are gross (before income tax and social contributions). Rates are as of June 2026 — volatile, re-check annually.
| Country | Minimum wage (2026) | Wage structure | Work hours (students) | Est. monthly earnings (20 hrs/wk × 4 wks) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | €14.15/hr | Hourly (adults 20+) | 20 hrs/wk term; 40 hrs/wk holidays | ~€1,132 |
| Germany | €13.90/hr | Hourly (statutory national) | 120 days / 240 half-days per year | ~€1,112 |
| UK | £12.71/hr (National Living Wage) | Hourly (21+ rate, Apr 2026) | 20 hrs/wk term-time | ~£1,017 |
| Poland | 31.40 PLN/hr (~€7.30/hr approx.) | Hourly | No statutory cap | ~2,512 PLN/mo at 20 hrs/wk |
| Hungary | HUF 1,856/hr (~€5.24/hr) | Hourly (derived from monthly HUF 322,800) | 30 hrs/wk max; 90 days/yr | ~HUF 148,480/mo at 20 hrs/wk |
| Cyprus | €1,088/month gross | Monthly (no statutory hourly) | Outside study hours; contract approval required | ~€544 (estimated 50% of full-time) |
| Malta | €5.74/hr (€229.44/week) | Hourly and weekly (includes 2026 COLA) | 20 hrs/wk with e-Residence permit | ~€459 |
Polish and Hungarian approximate EUR equivalents derived from cross-rates in the June 2026 research data (Poland: 4,806 PLN ≈ €1,116/month; Hungary: HUF 322,800 ≈ €912/month) — treat as estimates, not official conversions. Re-check current EUR/PLN and EUR/HUF rates. Cyprus: monthly wage converted at 20 hrs/wk × 4.33 wks estimate — no published hourly rate.
Country-by-Country Breakdown
Ireland: Highest Wage, Clear Rules
Ireland’s National Minimum Wage is €14.15/hour for adults aged 20 and over, in force since 1 January 2026 (confirmed on Citizens Information, the statutory government source). Sub-rates apply to younger workers.
Students on Stamp 2 (the standard study immigration permission for courses on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes) may work up to 20 hours per week during term time and 40 hours per week during college holidays. Stamp 2A holders — students whose course is not on the ILEP — cannot work at all.
At 20 hours/week across a 30-week term and 40 hours/week across an estimated 10-week holiday period (illustrative), gross annual earnings at €14.15/hour reach approximately:
– Term: 600 hours × €14.15 = €8,490
– Holidays: 400 hours × €14.15 = €5,660
– Gross total: ~€14,150 — before Irish income tax and USC.
That is meaningful against an annual living cost of roughly €12,000–15,600. It does not fully cover it, but it materially reduces the gap. No work permit is required beyond the Stamp 2 endorsement.
Germany: Consistent Rate, Annual Day-Count Rules
Germany’s statutory minimum wage is €13.90/hour gross since 1 January 2026, with an increase to €14.60 planned from 1 January 2027 — both confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS).
International students may work 120 full working days or 240 half-days per calendar year (confirmed on Make it in Germany). The alternative framing of “20 hours/week during lecture periods with unrestricted hours during breaks” reflects the same annual cap in practice. Working beyond this requires written permission from the Federal Employment Agency and the Foreigners’ Authority (Ausländerbehörde).
Student assistant roles (Studentische/Wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft, HiWi) are common at German universities and often exempt from the day-count limit when arranged directly through the institution. Tax thresholds favour low earners; earnings below the annual basic allowance (~€11,784 in 2026 — verify on the official BMF site) face zero income tax.
UK: National Living Wage, 20-Hour Cap
The UK’s National Living Wage is £12.71/hour (workers aged 21 and over, effective April 2026, confirmed from World Study Africa verified figures). Students on a Student visa may work 20 hours per week during term time — exceeding this is a visa condition breach regardless of employer. No limit during official vacations.
At 20 hours/week, gross weekly earnings are £254.20. That offsets some cost, but UK living expenses (minimum maintenance demonstrated: £1,171/month outside London) are the highest of the seven destinations.
Poland: No Hour Cap — Unique in Europe
Poland is the standout for work flexibility. Full-time enrolled students may work without a separate work permit and without any statutory hour limit — confirmed from Study.gov.pl (the official Polish international-study portal). This is unusual: most European student visa regimes impose a weekly or annual cap.
The statutory minimum wage is 4,806 PLN gross per month (from 1 January 2026, per the Ministry of Family) with an hourly minimum of 31.40 PLN/hour (same regulation). At cross-rates derived from the June 2026 research data (~4.30 PLN/EUR), these approximate to ~€1,116/month and ~€7.30/hour — treat as estimates since no PLN/EUR rate is in World Study Africa verified figures. The actual EUR value will vary with exchange rates.
The combination of no hour cap and low living costs (~€330–430/month from NAWA data) makes Poland the destination where part-time work earnings can most plausibly cover a significant share of total living costs.
A caveat: a 2024–25 visa clampdown resulted in Nigeria being among the nationalities with the most rejections. Work opportunities exist, but visa and permit compliance is under greater scrutiny — keep documentation current.
Hungary: Lower Wage, Meaningful Hour Limit
Hungary’s minimum wage is HUF 322,800 gross per month (effective January 2026, confirmed from official decree via Forvis Mazars), equivalent to HUF 1,856/hour at standard hours. The HUF/EUR rate used in the research is approximately 354, giving ~€912/month / ~€5.24/hour.
International students may work up to 30 hours per week, subject to a cap of 90 working days per year (confirmed from official OIF factsheet). Beyond that limit, separate employment authorisation is required.
The Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship (available to students from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda and Egypt — not Zimbabwe or Zambia) includes accommodation and a monthly stipend, making part-time work less critical for SH holders than for self-funded students.
Malta: Lowest Hourly Rate; 20-Hour Cap
Malta’s National Minimum Wage is €229.44 per week (€5.74/hour) effective 2026, including the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), confirmed from DIER (the Directorate for Employment and Industrial Relations). Students with an e-Residence permit may work up to 20 hours per week (confirmed from the University of Malta international office).
At 20 hours/week, gross weekly earnings reach €114.80. Malta’s living costs (~€1,400–1,600/month estimated) are high relative to this wage, making part-time work a supplementary rather than cost-covering income source.
Cyprus: Monthly Wage, No Published Hourly Rate
Cyprus sets a monthly minimum rather than an hourly one. The national minimum wage in 2026 is €1,088 gross per month for employees who have been with the same employer for more than six months; €979/month in the first six months (confirmed from official decree, Harris Kyriakides law firm citing the 2026 Decree). No statutory hourly equivalent is published.
International students may work outside study hours once their employment contract is approved by the Civil Registry and Migration Department (CRMD). Cyprus is not in the Schengen area as of June 2026, so work rights are specific to Cyprus only.
How Work Earnings Compare to Living Costs
| Country | Est. monthly living cost (official) | Est. gross monthly earnings (20 hrs/wk at minimum wage) | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | €330–430 | ~€584 (80 hrs/mo × €7.30) | Can exceed living costs |
| Germany | ~€849 | ~€1,112 (80 hrs/mo × €13.90) | Significant coverage |
| Ireland | ~€1,000–1,300 | ~€1,132 (80 hrs/mo × €14.15) | Good coverage |
| UK | ~£975–1,275 | ~£1,017 (80 hrs/mo × £12.71) | Partial coverage |
| Hungary | ~€600–700 | ~€419 (80 hrs/mo × €5.24) | Partial coverage |
| Malta | ~€1,400–1,600 | ~€459 (80 hrs/mo × €5.74) | Limited coverage |
| Cyprus | ~€500–900 | ~€252 (50% of monthly minimum) | Limited coverage |
Earnings are gross before tax and social contributions. Living costs are official or primary-source estimates; actual spend varies. Poland is the only country with no hour cap — higher hours are possible there. All EUR conversions for PLN and HUF are derived estimates.
What These Figures Don’t Tell You
Statutory minimums are floors, not ceilings. In Germany and Ireland, student assistant jobs, hospitality work and retail often pay above minimum wage — particularly in major cities where demand is high. The figures above tell you what you are guaranteed; actual rates depend on the employer and the role.
Tax liability is separate. All wages above are gross. Irish USC, German income tax, Polish PIT and UK PAYE will reduce take-home pay. In Germany, annual earnings below the basic personal allowance (~€11,784 — verify on BMF for the current year) incur zero income tax, which benefits low-hour workers significantly. In Ireland, the USC applies from relatively low thresholds — budget on approximately 75–80% net of gross as a rough working assumption for part-time work.
Work Rights Are Not Automatic
In Germany and Poland, work rights are tied to your student permit — there is no separate work authorisation to apply for as a full-time student. In Ireland, your Stamp 2 endorsement grants work rights automatically. In Hungary, you need to stay within the 30-hr/90-day annual limit. In Cyprus, your employment contract must be approved by CRMD. In Malta, your e-Residence permit must be active.
If you fall out of full-time enrolment status — due to academic suspension, interruption of studies or a permit lapse — your right to work may cease immediately.
Planning Your Study Abroad Budget
Earnings from part-time work can meaningfully reduce the net cost of studying in Europe, but they should not be your primary funding strategy. Securing work takes time after arrival, term dates reduce available hours, and no employer is guaranteed. A realistic approach: plan your budget on tuition + living + fees with zero work income, then treat part-time earnings as a buffer against unexpected costs.
For the full picture on what types of work are available and how to find them, read our companion post on part-time jobs for international students in Europe. For a full cost picture matched to your origin country and target destination, explore visa requirements by country or use our eligibility check to match programmes and scholarships to your profile. WhatsApp us if you have specific questions about work rights for your visa type.
Frequently asked questions
Ireland currently pays the highest statutory minimum wage at €14.15/hour (adults aged 20 and over, effective January 2026). Germany is just behind at €13.90/hour from January 2026, rising to a planned €14.60 from January 2027. Both are significantly above the other five WSA destinations. The difference at 20 hours per week over a 30-week term: roughly €150 more per year in Ireland versus Germany.
Poland has no statutory hour cap for full-time registered students — the most generous rule among all seven WSA destinations. In practice, universities expect students to attend and progress, and your visa/permit requires proof of enrolment, so full-time work alongside full-time study is physically demanding. The minimum wage is 31.40 PLN/hour (approximately €7.30 at cross-rates derived from June 2026 research data). No work permit is required for enrolled full-time students.
German law allows 120 full working days or 240 half-days per year. In practice this works out to approximately 20 hours per week during the lecture period, with unrestricted hours during semester breaks. Exceeding the limit requires permission from the Federal Employment Agency (BA) and the Ausländerbehörde. Working more hours without permission is a visa violation.
Cyprus sets a monthly minimum wage rather than an hourly one. In 2026 the monthly minimum is €1,088 gross for established employees (first six months with the same employer: €979). There is no published statutory hourly equivalent. At a standard 40-hour working week this implies around €6.28/hour — lower than Germany and Ireland and comparable to Hungary on an hourly basis. International students may work outside study hours once their employment contract is approved by the migration department.
Yes — the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) has confirmed a planned increase to €14.60/hour from 1 January 2027. The current rate of €13.90/hour has been in force since January 2026. These figures are on the official BMAS minimum-wage page; all figures are gross before tax and social contributions.