Plates stay empty – and taps run dry: Germany’s Hospitality Industry Faces a Staffing Crisis

In 2023, 10% of German restaurants shut their doors for good, highlighting a critical shortage of skilled workers that began during the pandemic. The numbers from Tagesschau.de tell a stark story:

• 2021: 1,558 missing hospitality professionals.
• 2022: A peak of 24,758 missing workers.
• 2024: 8,810 still unfilled positions – a drop that reflects fewer establishments, not fewer problems.

Unattractive working hours, dwindling tips, and ongoing closures are reshaping the future of the industry.