GERMANY · HOSPITALITY AND GASTRONOMY
Your Craft in the Kitchen,
Your Career in Germany.
Germany’s hotels and restaurants are looking for experienced chefs, service staff and hospitality professionals. We plan the route from recognition to your employment contract.
WHO CAN APPLY
Which Profile
Fits You?
Your qualification, experience and target role decide which route fits.
Chef
For those with culinary training or a master certificate.
- Recognition via IHK FOSA
- Reference occupation: Koch / Köchin
- Adaptation training if partial
- Restaurants, hotels and catering
Service and Hotel
For professionals with hotel or tourism training.
- Equivalent of restaurant and hotel specialist
- Experience in service, bar, reception
- German communication matters
- Permanent, not seasonal, roles
Experience Without Papers
For long-time practitioners without formal certificates.
- Practical skills assessment
- Qualification analysis
- Or vocational training in Germany
- Realistic pre-assessment
CORE DOCUMENTS
What Every
File Needs
Documents depend on your route and the IHK FOSA assessment. We build your file around the official lists.
Detailed job descriptions in employment references make a real difference in the recognition assessment.
- Passport
- Vocational diploma, journeyman or master certificate
- Proof of training content
- Employment references with duties and social security record
- German language certificate
- CV in German
- Apostille and certified translations
GOOD TO KNOW
Six Rules
Before You Apply
IHK FOSA
For hospitality professions IHK FOSA compares your qualification with the German reference occupation.
Partial is not the end
Missing skills are usually completed through adaptation training while working in Germany.
Experience route
With at least two years of state-recognised training, two years of experience in the last five and a salary requirement, you can work without recognition.
Recognition partnership
With an employer you can complete recognition while working in Germany; A2 German is required.
No papers, still a path
Without formal documents, a qualification analysis with practical testing is possible.
Contract to German standards
Pay and conditions must match comparable German jobs, or approval is refused.
PROCESS
From the Kitchen
to Germany
We plan your qualification, experience and language together.
Profile Analysis
We review your documents and experience and choose the route.
IHK FOSA Application
We handle recognition or the skills assessment.
Language and CV
We plan your German and prepare your German CV.
Employer Matching
We follow interviews with hotels and restaurants and the contract.
Visa and Arrival
We support you up to your first working day.
COMMON MISTAKES
Three Mistakes
That Delay Files
References without duties
Dates alone do not prove your experience.
Postponing German
Kitchens need communication too; a late start lengthens the process.
Seasonal instead of permanent
Seasonal contracts do not lead to settlement; the right role matters.
This page provides general information and is not legal advice. If your family is moving with you, see our family reunification page.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
I have no master certificate, only experience. Do I have a chance?
Yes. A qualification analysis or vocational training in Germany can open a route.
How much German do I need?
Usually between A2 and B1 depending on the route. Employers value communication.
What are working conditions like?
Under German labour law: regulated hours, paid leave and full social insurance.
Can my family join me?
Yes. As a skilled worker your spouse can join without a language certificate and may work.
Sources: Residence Act (AufenthG) §§16d, 18a, 19c; IHK FOSA; Make it in Germany. Information as of November 2026.
HOSPITALITY
Let’s Bring Your Craft
to Germany.
In a free consultation we review your documents and experience and find your route.
Get a Free Consultation