Student jobs Premium
Working as a student – how to earn money for living costs and balance studying with work?
Jobs for international students in Poland.
The cost of living in university cities is constantly rising, which is why most young people decide to take up employment while still studying. Working as a student is not only a way to pay for a room or food, but also an excellent opportunity to gain your first CV experience. You can choose between permanent casual work during the academic year or intensive seasonal work during the holidays, which allows you to save more cash for the upcoming semesters.
The most popular industries for students:
- Catering and events – working as a waiter, bartender, barista, or host/hostess offers huge flexibility and extra earnings from tips.
- Customer service and call centres – an ideal option for communicative people, often with the possibility of working remotely from a room in halls.
- Retail and logistics – working in high-street clothing chains, supermarkets, or order picking (warehouses), where the schedule is set from week to week.
- Tutoring and childcare – using your own school knowledge or foreign languages to help younger pupils.
Earnings and types of contracts – why do students earn more?
Polish law is exceptionally generous to working students. When choosing employment, it is worth knowing your financial and legal privileges to make the most of your student status.
- Mandate contract (umowa zlecenie) – the student hit – this is the most popular form of employment. If you are under 26 and studying, your employer does not have to pay ZUS (social security) contributions for you. What does this mean in practice? Your gross rate equals your net rate (“take-home pay”).
- Zero PIT for the youth – if international students qualify as Polish tax residents (or earn income subject to Polish taxation), those under 26 are exempt from income tax (0% PIT), meaning the entire amount earned goes straight into your pocket.
- Employment contract (umowa o pracę) – less frequently chosen at the beginning, but it offers full employment rights (paid leave, sick pay). It is worth fighting for during permanent internships and work placements.
Financial tip: Thanks to the exemption from ZUS contributions and PIT tax, by taking on even a simple casual job on a mandate contract, you actually earn about 25-30% more than your non-studying peers in the same position!
How to manage work alongside university?
The key to success is time management. Look for offers with a flexible schedule or the possibility of working part-time (1/2 or 1/4 post). If you study full-time, weekend or evening work is an excellent solution. During tougher periods at university (e.g. the summer exam season), you can always talk to your employer about temporarily reducing your hours or apply at university for an IPS (Individual Plan of Studies).