No hospitality occupation is regulated or title-protected. Anyone may cook or work a restaurant floor. Qualifications matter for two things only: pay grading and visas.
The 2022 restructuring
The Gastgewerbe training occupations were overhauled on 1 August 2022. Old titles remain on people’s certificates and in job ads:
| Since 2022 | Replaced | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Fachkraft für Gastronomie | Fachkraft im Gastgewerbe | 2 years |
| Fachmann/-frau für Restaurants und Veranstaltungsgastronomie | Restaurantfachmann/-frau | 3 years |
| Fachmann/-frau für Systemgastronomie | (renamed) | 3 years |
| Hotelfachmann/-frau | (revised) | 3 years |
| Hotelkaufmann/-frau | (revised) | 3 years |
| Koch/Köchin | (revised) | 3 years |
The 2-year Fachkraft qualification can be topped up to a 3-year one.
Sector-wide facts
- Pay floor: the statutory Mindestlohn binds much of the sector. It rose to €13.90/hour on 1 January 2026, with a further increase scheduled for 2027. The Mindestlohnkommission revises it on a fixed cycle — check the current figure.
- Collective agreements are regional DEHOGA tariffs, and coverage is patchy.
- Tips (Trinkgeld) paid to employees are tax-free without limit under §3 Nr. 51 EStG. Service charges routed through the employer are not the same thing.
- Working time: the Arbeitszeitgesetz applies in full — 8 hours standard, 10 maximum with compensation, 11 hours’ rest between shifts. Breaches are common and unlawful; Teildienst (split shifts) is legal and widespread.
- Turnover is the highest of any German sector, and staffing never recovered from the pandemic exodus.
Profiles
- Koch / Köchin
- Fachmann/-frau für Restaurants und Veranstaltungsgastronomie — “Kellner”
- Hotelfachmann/-frau
- Barkeeper/in — a job, not a recognised occupation
Professions in this category
- Barkeeper/in (Bartender) Mixing and serving drinks.
- Fachmann/-frau für Restaurants und Veranstaltungsgastronomie — “Kellner” Restaurant and event service.
- Hotelfachmann / Hotelfachfrau (Hotel Specialist) The generalist hotel qualification: reception, housekeeping, F&B service and administration.
- Koch / Köchin (Chef / Cook) Cooks professionally.