Europe Faces Shortage of Waiters and Hospitality Workers During Peak Tourist Season

Key Takeaways

1. Numerous EU countries are experiencing labor shortages in waiting staff and other hospitality roles.
2. There is a high demand for waiters in popular EU tourist destinations, particularly in Spain, Italy, and Croatia.
3. To meet the demands of the tourism industry, many businesses are seeking to attract foreign workers.

Europe’s Hospitality Sector Struggles with Workforce Shortages

Some of Europe's most popular tourist destinations are facing significant workforce shortages in the hospitality sector, a crucial component of their economies, as reported by local media.

Spain, Italy, and Croatia are particularly in need of waiting staff and other hospitality workers. As tourism continues to recover and grow post-pandemic, the demand for workers in this sector is rising.

In Spain, **La Tribuna de Ciudad Real** highlights that bars and restaurants are struggling with staff shortages every summer, with half of the positions expected to remain unfilled in 2024.

Similarly, many restaurants in **Abruzzo, Italy** began the summer season unprepared due to a shortage of waiters.

In **Croatia**, the role of waiter was one of the most in-demand jobs in 2023, according to the Croatian Employment Service (CES). Total Croatia News reports that occupations such as salesperson, cleaner, and waiter made up 17% of the total number of workers needed.

**Croatian Employment Service** stated that on the Adriatic coast, there is a significant shortage of tourism-related jobs such as cooks, waiters, bartenders, valets, cleaners, sellers, pastry chefs, butchers, and bakers during the summer season.

Recruiting Foreign Workers to Fill Hospitality Positions

To address the growing demands of tourism, many businesses are looking to recruit foreign workers. **Emilio Gallego**, General Secretary of Hostelería de España, emphasized that hiring foreign workers is often the only solution to meet the demand.

**Gonzalo Fuentes**, head of the Catering Department of the Workers’ Commissions (CCOO), criticized this approach, noting the lack of improvement in employee conditions and the need for better work-life balance.

In **Abruzzo, Italy**, tourism representatives have organized a project to train migrants wishing to work in the restaurant industry, as reported by InfoMigrants.

EURES Report Highlights EU Countries Needing Waiters

According to the 2023 EURES report on shortages and surpluses, several European countries are facing a shortage of waiters. This suggests that foreigners working in this occupation may have a higher chance of securing employment and a work visa in these countries.

The report lists the following countries as experiencing a shortage of waiters:
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Cyprus
- Germany
- Denmark
- Greece
- Finland
- France
- Croatia
- Italy
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovenia
- Slovakia

In addition to the waiter position, many of these countries have reported shortages in other hospitality-related occupations.