Working in hospitality in Germany
What you actually need to work in a German hotel, restaurant or bar: the legal requirements, the route for non-EU workers, and how to present your CV. Every legal point links to the official source so you can check it yourself.
Sources last checked 2026-09-30. Rules change, so confirm with the linked official page before you rely on it.
Can you work there?
EU and EEA citizens
Required by lawYou can work in Germany without a work permit, under EU free movement rules.
Non-EU citizens
Required by lawYou need a residence permit that allows employment, and the right route depends on your qualifications and the job. The federal government's official portal explains each route and which one fits you.
For every hospitality job
Workplace safety instruction
Your employer must provideYour employer must instruct you on health and safety for your specific job, during working time, when you start and whenever your tasks change.
Hotel receptionist in Germany
We found no national licence or mandatory certificate for hotel receptionists in Germany. Employers judge you on German and English, guest handling and experience with booking systems.
Stand out with a verifiable skills certificate
- Front Desk & Reception Free course, certificate €7.99 after you pass
- Hospitality German Free course, certificate €7.99 after you pass
- Hospitality English Free course, certificate €7.99 after you pass
This is a skills certificate, not a government licence. It does not replace any legal requirement above.
Waiter / waitress in Germany
Before your first job working with food, you need a health instruction certificate from the local health office (Gesundheitsamt).
Infection protection instruction (Belehrung nach § 43 IfSG)
Required by lawYou may only start a job in food service if you have a certificate from the health office, or a doctor it appoints, showing you were instructed. The certificate must be no more than three months old when you start your first such job. The Robert Koch Institute publishes the official instruction sheet, so you can read it in advance.
Food hygiene training at work
Your employer must provideEU law also requires your employer to make sure you are supervised and trained in food hygiene for your tasks.
Stand out with a verifiable skills certificate
- Bar & Restaurant Service Free course, certificate €7.99 after you pass
- Hospitality German Free course, certificate €7.99 after you pass
- Hospitality English Free course, certificate €7.99 after you pass
This is a skills certificate, not a government licence. It does not replace any legal requirement above.
Bartender in Germany
The same health instruction certificate applies, plus age limits for serving alcohol that differ by drink.
Infection protection instruction (Belehrung nach § 43 IfSG)
Required by lawAs for waiters: you need the health office certificate, no more than three months old when you start your first food-service job.
Alcohol age limits: 16 and 18
Required by lawBeer, wine and sparkling wine may not be served to anyone under 16. Spirits, and drinks containing spirits, may not be served to anyone under 18.
Stand out with a verifiable skills certificate
- Bar & Restaurant Service Free course, certificate €7.99 after you pass
- Hospitality German Free course, certificate €7.99 after you pass
This is a skills certificate, not a government licence. It does not replace any legal requirement above.
Housekeeping / room attendant in Germany
We found no national licence for housekeeping staff in Germany. Your employer must instruct you on safety, including the cleaning chemicals you use.
Stand out with a verifiable skills certificate
- Housekeeping Standards Free course, certificate €7.99 after you pass
- Hospitality German Free course, certificate €7.99 after you pass
This is a skills certificate, not a government licence. It does not replace any legal requirement above.
Your CV for Germany
Europass is accepted everywhere
Common practiceThe EU's free Europass CV is a safe format for German employers. Write it in German if you can, since most hotel jobs expect working German.
Show verifiable skills
Common practiceGerman employers value documented qualifications. A certificate with a verification link shows exactly what you were tested on and your score.