Does my residence permit say exactly what kind of work I am allowed to do?

Any residence permit must state whether you are allowed to engage in gainful employment and whether this is subject to restrictions. It must also specify any restrictions on employment by the Federal Employment Agency.  Your electronic residence permit (eAT) and the supplementary sheet may say various things, for example: 

•  “Erwerbstätigkeit erlaubt” (gainful employment permitted): You can be employed or work on a self-employed basis.
• “Selbstständige Erwerbstätigkeit nicht erlaubt” (self-employment prohibited): You can only work as an employee. 
• “Erwerbstätigkeit nicht erlaubt” (gainful employment not permitted): Any kind of work is prohibited. 
• “Beschäftigung für 120 Tage oder 240 halbe Tage erlaubt” (employment permitted for 120 days or 240 half days): Work as an employee is permitted for a limited period of time.