Student work is for most secondary school and higher education students the first contact with the labour market — a source of pocket money, experience and often also the first reference for a CV.
Here is everything you need to know for 2026: who can work, how much you earn, when you pay income tax and why the work counts towards your pension period.
Who can perform student work?
You can perform student work if you have valid status:
- secondary school students from the age of 15,
- students with active enrolment (full-time or part-time),
and you are registered with one of the student employment services. Without valid status you cannot perform student work.
How to start in 3 steps
- Register with a student employment service (in person or online) and submit proof of status.
- Find work — through service advertisements, companies or personal contacts.
- Order a work referral before starting work. The referral is a mandatory document — without it the work is not lawful.
How much do you earn? Minimum hourly rate 2026
The hourly rate is by law the lowest possible — the employer can pay more, never less.
The difference goes mostly towards pension and disability insurance contribution (PIZ, 13.95 %) — which means good news in the next point.
Does student work count towards pension? Yes.
Because the PIZ contribution is deducted from every payment, student work counts towards your pension period. Already as a student you are therefore accumulating time for later pension — not just pocket money.
Taxes and income tax: when and how much
This is where most people get confused, so briefly and clearly:
- Income tax advance is NOT deducted if an individual payment is €400 gross or less. Most student payments are below this threshold.
- Annual limits of non-taxable earnings (2026): if your parents claim you as a dependent family member : up to €5,110 gross per year, if they do not claim you : up to €15,659 gross per year.
- In the annual assessment you are entitled to general relief and special personal relief (€3,886.35), which reduce the tax base — therefore many students do not pay income tax at all or get it refunded.
💡 Tip: if you work a lot, monitor your annual gross earnings in relation to the above limits — this way you avoid unexpected income tax surcharge and maintain dependent member status if that benefits you more.
How to find good student work
- Start early — the best positions (in your field, not just in warehouses) go quickly.
- Look for work in your direction. One season in a marketing agency, accounting or production is worth more than a title on your CV — this is your first reference.
- Be reliable. Many students get their first permanent employment precisely with the employer where they worked as students.
- Always order the referral in advance and save the payslips.
Student work + study: you can do both
If you are concerned about how to coordinate work and school, it is good to know that part-time (short-cycle) study is designed precisely for this — lectures are in the afternoons and at weekends, so you can work and obtain a qualification at the same time. Many students thus build a career in their field already during their studies.
What is the minimum hourly rate for student work 2026?
From 5 February 2026 it amounts to €8.98 gross or €7.73 net per hour.
Do I have to pay income tax?
For an individual payment up to €400 gross the advance is not deducted. In the annual assessment due to reliefs most students do not pay income tax — depending on total annual earnings.
Does student work count towards pension period?
Yes, because the PIZ contribution is deducted (13.95 %).
Do I need a referral for every job?
Yes. You must order the referral before starting work; without it the work is not lawful.
Want a job and diploma at the same time?
At Academia you can study whilst working — programmes in economics, computing, engineering and media with mandatory work placement in companies.
Discover part-time study and apply for info day →
Studies are delivered in Slovenian – ask us how to apply.
B1 Slovenian is required; we offer a free preparatory course. The admissions team replies within one working day.
Source: Academia (18. 6. 2026).
This English summary was produced automatically from the Slovenian article and is pending editorial review. Slovenska različica
