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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.

Last time updated
11.11.24

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
9%
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
Want something more in the kitchen?
How to become and work as a chef in Luxembourg?

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.

Job portals operating worldwide
Luxembourg companies recruiting in the IT field
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.

Photo by Luke Southern on Unsplash
Common documents and prerequisites typically include
Check all the necessary documents
See if you have a basic needed papers to process Visa D and temporary authorisation to stay for your situation.
*The mandatory items are marked with red asterisks.
Two fully completed Schengen visa application forms
Can be found on the website of the consular mission of Luxembourg in your country or can be demanded in-person.
Two recent identical passport photos
With clear background.
A copy of the passport
All pages included
Proof of accommodation
Rental agreement in Luxembourg, deed of ownership, if you are lucky one, or utility bills.
An employemnt contract
Dully signed by both parties and made accordingly to the laws of Luxembourg
Payment of the applicable visa fee
Varies depending on the country and personal situation
Check all the necessary documents
See if you have a basic needed papers to process Visa D and temporary authorisation to stay for your situation.
*The mandatory items are marked with red asterisks.
Documents
Luxembourg
Relocation
Read the article to know more about the visa application
How to obtain visa for workers?
faq

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What does a waiter's job consist of in Luxembourg?

What training and skills are necessary to work as a waiter in Luxembourg?

What types of positions can be found in the waiter's work area in Luxembourg?

What is the demand for waiters in Luxembourg?

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