Primary Sources & Claims Registry

"Finland has no statutory national minimum wage enacted by parliament. Minimum wage floors are determined by universally binding sectoral collective agreements (yleissitova työehtosopimus / TES) negotiated between trade unions and employer federations."

Editorial Note: Important: Must never be listed as 0 EUR. If no universally binding collective agreement exists in a sector, the salary must be "reasonable and customary" (Aliens Act income thresholds apply for work permits).

"Non-EU higher education students holding a Finnish residence permit for studies are legally entitled to work an average of up to 30 hours per week across the calendar year. While students may work full-time during university holidays, all ordinary paid employment hours count toward the statutory annual ceiling (approx. 1,560 hours/year)."

Editorial Note: The 30-hour weekly limit is monitored as an annual average (approx. 120 hours/month or 1,560 hours/year). Internships/thesis work granting direct study credits are exempt from the 30-hour limitation.

"Graduates of Finnish universities may apply for a residence permit to look for work or start a business, which can be granted for up to two years. It can be taken within five years of graduation in up to three parts."

"The statutory national minimum wage (gesetzlicher Mindestlohn) in Germany is €12.41 gross per hour from 1 January 2024, and €12.82 gross per hour effective 1 January 2025, as determined by the Minimum Wage Commission."

Editorial Note: Applies nationwide across all federal states. Industry-specific minimum wages (Branchenmindestlöhne) may exceed this statutory floor.

"Under the reformed Skilled Immigration Act (FEG), international students from third countries may work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per calendar year (increased from 120 full / 240 half days effective 1 March 2024), or alternatively up to 20 hours per week during semester time."

"Germany launched the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) on 1 June 2024, enabling qualified third-country nationals to enter Germany for up to one year to look for employment based on a points system or full foreign qualification recognition."

"Sweden has no statutory national minimum wage. Wages are set exclusively through collective bargaining agreements (kollektivavtal) between employer federations and trade unions. Third-country work permit holders must earn at least 80% of Sweden’s median wage as published by Statistics Sweden (approx. 28,480 SEK/month)."

"International university students in Sweden holding a valid residence permit for higher education have no statutory hourly cap on employment, provided they maintain satisfactory study progress and fulfill academic credit requirements."

"The Netherlands enforces a statutory hourly minimum wage for employees aged 21 and older: €13.68 gross/hour (effective 1 July 2024), rising to €14.06 gross/hour (effective 1 January 2025). Employers must also pay a statutory 8% holiday allowance (vakantiegeld)."

"Non-EU students holding a Dutch student residence permit may only work if their employer has obtained a work permit (TWV) from the UWV. They are permitted to work either a maximum of 16 hours per week during the school year OR full-time in June, July, and August, but not both."

"The statutory National Minimum Wage in Ireland for employees aged 20 and over is €12.70 gross per hour (effective 1 January 2024), increasing to €13.50 gross per hour effective 1 January 2025."

"Non-EEA students registered on a qualifying full-time degree programme holding Stamp 2 immigration permission are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during college term, and up to 40 hours per week during designated holiday periods (June, July, August, September, and 15 December to 15 January)."

"The statutory minimum wage in Poland is 4,300 PLN gross per month (28.10 PLN gross per hour) effective 1 July 2024, rising to 4,666 PLN gross per month (30.50 PLN gross per hour) effective 1 January 2025."

"Foreign nationals who are full-time stationary students at Polish higher education institutions holding a student visa or temporary residence permit for study are legally exempt from the requirement to obtain a work permit (zezwolenie na pracę)."

"Holding a national residence permit or national D visa from one Schengen member state allows visa-free travel for up to 90 days within any 180-day period across other Schengen states strictly for tourism or business visits. It does NOT automatically grant the legal right to work or settle in another EU or Schengen state."

Editorial Note: Crucial legal distinction: EU residence permits are national unless converted to EU Long-Term Resident status (Directive 2003/109/EC), which still requires national application in the second member state.