Student life in Slovakia is not just about lectures and exams, but also about needing pocket money that won't earn itself. Most students start looking for part-time jobs in their first years to cover their expenses, but they don't want work to interfere with their studies. This is where "brigády" (temporary jobs) come in – temporary work that is perfect for students. In this article, we will explain what brigády are, where to look for vacancies, what contracts students sign, how much you can earn, and how to avoid scammers.
What are they and popular types of part-time jobs
Brigády in Slovakia are temporary jobs that allow students to earn money by working up to 20 hours a week (you can work less, it all depends on you and your employer). It's worth noting that this is not just about money, but also an opportunity to improve your language skills and find useful contacts, especially if you have just arrived in Slovakia. Here are the most popular types of brigády for students; you can choose the format that suits you best, depending on your schedule and preferences:- Service industry: Working as a waiter, barista, shop assistant, or cleaner in a cafe or hotel.
- One-off tasks: Dog walking, helping at events (e.g., handing out flyers), cleaning offices or apartments.
- Warehouse or production work: Packing goods, sorting parcels, helping on an assembly line.
Where to look for part-time jobs?
Finding a brigáda in Slovakia is not difficult – there are many resources that can help you in your search:- Job websites: For example, Profesia.sk is one of the most popular portals where you can find offers for students.
- Job fairs: Job fairs, such as Profesia Days, are regularly held in Slovakia, where employers look for students for part-time employment.
- University offers: Most universities send students emails with job offers from partner companies. Check your university email – there are often interesting opportunities there.
- Social media: There are themed groups on Facebook where brigáda announcements regularly appear. But be careful – scammers are common here.
- Employment agencies: Specialized agencies, such as Proplusco, help students find part-time jobs by offering vacancies with flexible schedules.
What contracts do students work under?
In Slovakia, students can work under various types of contracts, depending on the nature of the work:- TPP (Trvalý pracovný pomer): A full employment contract, but students usually sign it for part-time work (čiastočný úväzok) – up to 20 hours a week, as opposed to full-time work (plný úväzok – 40 hours).
- Dohoda o brigádnickej práci študentov (DBPŠ): A special contract for students under 26 years old, which allows working up to 20 hours a week.
- Dohoda o vykonaní práce: For one-off or short-term tasks, such as helping at an event.
- Dohoda o pracovnej činnosti: For temporary or irregular work.
- Without a contract: Some students work informally, receiving cash payments. But this is a big risk – if the employer doesn't pay, you cannot defend your rights, as there is no official proof of work.
