Employment and jobs

Working as a waiter in Luxembourg: skills, wages and documents

Working as a waiter is one of the opportunities to start or develop a career in Luxembourg, available to almost everyone. Find out what skills, documents and requirements you need to fulfill to get a job in this part of the service industry.

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The driving force behind any restaurant is the wait staff. They are the ones who greet guests with a smile, help them with their choices, look after them and make the experience of visiting a restaurant a memorable one. True professionals can count on additional remuneration in the form of tips, which in Luxembourg, by the way, it is customary to leave 5-10% of the check, although not obligatory.

What does waiter wait?

Working as a waiter in Luxembourg involves a multifaceted role, encompassing various responsibilities and conditions that differ based on the establishment's size and nature.

Responsibilities

Working conditions

Pros and cons of working as a waiter

Waiters stay physically active, continuously moving to serve trays, deliver dishes, and clear tables. This dynamic nature keeps them in good shape compared to sedentary roles.

Surrounded by people, waiters engage in conversations, share laughs, and hear interesting stories. Ideal for social individuals, this role provides continuous interaction.

The job doesn't follow you home. Once the shift ends, there's no need to draft reports or stress over meetings. It offers a clear boundary between work and personal life.

Many restaurants allow waiters to be replaced by experienced counterparts, providing flexibility for planned time off. This last-minute substitution feature is a boon uncommon in other professions.

For those unable to commit to full-time hours due to personal or academic reasons, part-time and weekend waiter positions offer flexibility.

With a positive attitude, even individuals lacking extensive experience can secure waiter positions, although salary may correlate with experience.

Waiters might work weekends and holidays and miss out on social events while others enjoy time off.

Dealing with customer complaints is a regular aspect of hospitality. Waiters are the frontline in managing customer concerns, even if the issue is beyond their control.

Waiters often encounter challenging individuals, from those unfamiliar with restaurant etiquette to impatient or rude customers. Managing such situations requires tact and resilience.

Years in the profession can take a toll on a waiter's body, with back and knee problems being common due to carrying heavy trays and prolonged standing.

Training and skills necessary to work

In Luxembourg, becoming a waiter doesn't necessitate a formal diploma, yet undergoing training significantly enhances employability, secures better wages, and aids in professional advancement.

Two primary qualifications for preparing for the waiter profession are a CCP (Certificat de Capacité Professionnelle) or a DAP (Diplôme d’Aptitude Professionnelle) in Restaurant Service.

CCP

The CCP provides fundamental professional and social skills crucial for entering the job market. The training typically spans three years, organized into modules with ongoing assessment. Conducted under an apprenticeship contract, it involves practical training mostly within the industry and theoretical training in school, typically one to three days per week.

DAP

The DAP is pursued under an apprenticeship or internship contract, with a minimum of 12 weeks of practical experience during the program. It usually spans three years.

Where can you study?

These programs are offered in Luxembourg by the Lycée Technique de Bonnevoie (LTB)

Beyond formal education, a waiter should possess a multitude of skills and competencies, many of which are developed during training and through experience.

Service Technique

Skills such as tray handling and dish carrying are crucial. Waiters must efficiently navigate a bustling dining environment, ensuring the safe and elegant presentation of dishes.

Good Memory

The ability to remember specific customer preferences and requests is vital. Whether accommodating allergies or providing lemon for water, a waiter's elephantine memory contributes to a personalized and secure dining experience.

Customer Relations

The essence of a dining experience lies not only in the food but also in the overall conviviality. Customer satisfaction depends significantly on the quality of service, making excellent interpersonal skills a must for waiters.

Hygiene and Food Safety Rules

Waiters must adhere strictly to hygiene and food safety regulations. This involves maintaining cleanliness, careful handling of delicate foods, and thorough cleaning of contact surfaces.

Team Spirit

Regardless of the establishment, waiters are always part of a team, working closely with kitchen staff, colleagues, and management. Alongside interpersonal skills, a natural team spirit is a crucial trait for a waiter.

Endurance

The role demands maintaining a brisk pace while exuding confidence and composure. Endurance is essential for sustaining the demands of a fast-paced service environment.

Multilingual Proficiency

Luxembourg's multilingual environment requires waiters to master several languages, including French, German, English, and Luxembourgish. This linguistic diversity caters to the international clientele prevalent in Luxembourg.

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While formal qualifications enhance a waiter's employability, the acquisition of skills, ranging from technical service expertise to exceptional memory and language proficiency, plays a pivotal role in excelling in the dynamic and diverse hospitality industry in Luxembourg.

Which jobs are available in Luxembourg?

In the realm of waiter positions, the scope varies significantly based on the size and nature of the restaurant. While smaller establishments demand versatility, larger or upscale restaurants delineate well-defined roles, offering a nuanced hierarchy of positions.

What is the demand for waiters in Luxembourg

Luxembourg, renowned for its diverse culinary landscape, boasts a multitude of restaurants serving cuisine from around the world. Consequently, the profession of a waiter is highly prevalent in the country.

28%

most demanded are kitchen staff, like cooks

23%

of in-demand roles in kitchen goes to service

of most demanded staff is dedicated to dishwashing

Statistic shows

According to a sectoral study conducted by the Ministry of Labour (MT) and the Employment Development Agency (ADEM) in the hospitality and restaurant industry, roles within restaurant service are the second most sought-after in Luxembourg. The study reveals that kitchen staff (such cooks, chefs de partie and cooking assistants) constitute 27.7% of the demand, closely followed by restaurant service personnel (including waiters, head waiters, and restaurant clerks) at 22.7%.

With such high demand, working as a waiter, in any of its encompassing roles, presents significant employment opportunities in Luxembourg, ensuring a robust job market for prospective waitstaff in the country.

Top occupations and job ideas for Luxembourg

Let's examine the intricacies of different roles within the dining area.

Assistant waiter

The assistant waiter is an entry-level role involving simple tasks. Working under the guidance of a head waiter, their responsibilities include setting up the service, arranging tables, floor cleaning, and various preparatory work. During service, they assist with tasks like placing bread and butter, clearing tables, and handling simple service tasks. As they gain experience, they may progress to serving clients. Post-service, they participate in table clearing and overall room organization.

Waiter

The role of a waiter can vary depending on the establishment's organization. Generally, waiters present the menu, take orders, retrieve dishes from the kitchen, serve beverages, clear tables, present the bill, and handle payments. They bid farewell to clients, ensuring a smooth dining experience, and set up tables for subsequent service.

Head waiter

Responsible for a specific section or group of tables, the head waiter oversees the entire service on those tables. Acting under the authority of the maître d’hôtel, they take orders, serve at the table, and clear with the assistance of assistant waiters. During table setup, they ensure completeness, and during service, they must possess in-depth knowledge of the menu, dishes, presentation techniques, and even carving or flambéing. Post-meal, they ensure client satisfaction, handle billing, and process payments.

Host or Maître d'Hôtel

The maître d'hôtel welcomes and seats guests, presents menus, and advises on menu selections. They take initial orders before yielding to the head waiter and sommelier. Acting as the head of the dining area, they meticulously coordinate the work of assistant waiters, head waiters, and sommeliers to ensure flawless service. They possess an acute understanding of dining service, promptly identifying areas for improvement and intervening as needed during service.

Premier Maître d'Hôtel

Primarily found in high-end establishments, the premier maître d'hôtel operates under the restaurant director's authority. They lead a team, often comprising maîtres d'hôtel, sommeliers, head waiters, and waitstaff. Responsible for flawless coordination between the kitchen and dining area, they are adept leaders managing various aspects of service.

Manager

The room manager oversees the entire front-of-house team, including maîtres d’hôtel, head waiters, and assistant waiters. Their role involves organizing work, scheduling, and sometimes collaborating closely with the restaurant director on hiring decisions. They must control the gross operating margin, ensuring it remains positive. This involves managing supplies, stock, bar and cellar orders, and supplier selection, often in collaboration with the restaurant director based on the establishment's internal organization.

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Career

Luxembourg

Work

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Where to look for job in Luxembourg?

If you're intrigued by opportunities in the hospitality sector in Luxembourg, and specifically seeking waiter positions, we'll address your queries. We'll explore prominent job portals and examine key companies in Luxembourg known for recruiting waitstaff, providing valuable insights into where to find waiter positions in the country.

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Working as a waiter offers a diverse range of opportunities in Luxembourg, spanning restaurants, hotel-restaurants, brasseries, and even catering companies on trains. Here is a curated list of some prominent establishments in Luxembourg actively seeking waitstaff, each providing a unique culinary experience:

Novotel: Novotel, a globally recognized hotel brand, offers a comfortable and modern hospitality experience worldwide. With a presence in Luxembourg, Novotel actively seeks restaurant service personnel to join their team. This presents exciting opportunities for waiters at various levels, from beginners to head waiters.
Pizza Hut: Pizza Hut, a renowned global pizza restaurant chain, is celebrated for its delicious pizzas and diverse menu. Operating in Luxembourg, Pizza Hut consistently looks for service staff to join their team, providing enticing opportunities for waiters in Luxembourg.
Mercure Luxembourg Kikuoka: As part of the renowned Mercure hotel chain, the Mercure Luxembourg Kikuoka extends its presence to Luxembourg. Featuring an on-site restaurant, the hotel is continuously on the lookout for waitstaff, offering opportunities for individuals to join its dynamic team.
Sofitel: Sofitel, a luxurious hotel brand epitomizing elegance and sophistication, is known for exceptional dining experiences. With a presence in Luxembourg, Sofitel frequently seeks waitstaff for its restaurants, providing opportunities for individuals to contribute to unforgettable culinary journeys.
Mama Shelter: Mama Shelter, a relatively recent French hotel chain, has a presence in Luxembourg and consistently looks for servers for its restaurants. With over 2370 rooms, 30 restaurants, and a global presence, Mama Shelter offers a unique opportunity for individuals to join its vibrant teams.
Equilibrium: A new restaurant in the heart of Clausen, Equilibrium offers modern and inventive cuisine. Led by the acclaimed Belgian chef Baptiste Heugens, the restaurant occasionally seeks service staff to contribute to its focus on local and seasonal ingredients.
Tempo: Located in Kirchberg behind the Philharmonie, Tempo is a restaurant managed by Chef Jan Schneidewind. The establishment occasionally looks for waiters or head waiters to join their team and contribute to the restaurant's unique culinary offerings.
Hesper Park: Situated in Hesperange, near the Hesper Park, this restaurant periodically searches for waiters and head waiters to complement its team.
Restaurant Raïskär: Located in Strassen, Restaurant Raïskär specializes in Chinese and Thai cuisine. The restaurant occasionally recruits waiters and head waiters to enhance its culinary offerings.
Steffen Traiteur: As part of the Group Steffen, Steffen Traiteur is a prominent culinary destination in Luxembourg. Known for its delectable offerings, the establishment is consistently in search of waitstaff, providing exciting opportunities for waiters to contribute to its renowned culinary experiences.

Temporary or interim work

Waiters' salaries in Luxembourg in 2024

Salary of a beginner in industry

1,933 to 2,663 euros

Salary of an experienced waiter

2,047 to 2,954 euros

Industry average as per usual

1,933 to 3,931 euros

Beginners in the field typically earn between 1,933 euros and 2,663 euros per month, while waiters with five years of experience can expect their monthly income to fall within the range of 2,047 euros to 2,954 euros.

Depends on a day

As of 2024, based on data from lohnspiegel.lu, the Luxembourg average waiter salary can be as high as 4,000 euros. Not including the tips.

What papers do you need as a foreigner?

For European nationals, the process of working in Luxembourg is relatively straightforward, given the freedom to live and work in any European country. However, if you are not a European national, navigating the paperwork becomes essential.

The requirements vary based on your circumstances, distinguishing between employed and self-employed roles. Additionally, familial situations, such as having a Luxembourgish or European partner, can impact the process. Other, than that, the process of obtaining a work visa for Luxembourg is pretty straightforward for third-country nationals. You will need to first land the job, then to obtain Visa D, enter the country and proceed with relocation steps.