Is anyone planning to reside in the Harz region?

In the picturesque regions of Lower Saxony, foreign workers have become an integral part of the tourism industry, helping to meet the growing demand for seasonal workers and specialized staff.

At the beginning of the year, the state government signed a partnership with the Moroccan region of Tangier, opening up opportunities for cross-industry labor migration, not just limited to tourism. This move was a significant step towards addressing the increasing need for workers in the hospitality sector.

The North Sea coast, particularly the East Frisian holiday region, is heavily reliant on foreign workers during the holiday season. The demand for seasonal workers is high due to a traditionally strong summer season, and these workers are indispensable for ensuring the smooth operation of hotels and restaurants.

The proportion of foreign employees in the East Frisian hospitality industry has seen a significant increase over the years. In 2014, around 23 percent of the workforce was foreign, a figure that rose to over 36 percent by 2024.

The Harz region, popular among vacationers and hikers, is another area where foreign workers play a crucial role. Many hotels and restaurants in the region rely on foreign employees, with the demand for specialized staff like chefs being particularly high.

However, the recruitment of foreign workers in other parts of Lower Saxony, such as the Lüneburg Heath, has been less successful. Ulrich von dem Bruch, managing director of the Lüneburg Heath GmbH, stated that the recruitment of foreign workers in the Lüneburg Heath has only worked sporadically and is rarely sustainable.

Access requirements apply to non-EU citizens when moving and working in the European Union. Despite these challenges, the state government provides support for businesses in recruiting workers from Morocco. There are now initial Moroccan trainees in the hospitality industry.

The origin of foreign workers varies from island to island. Many Romanian seasonal workers can be found on Borkum and Norderney, a larger Polish group on Juist, and workers also come from Ukraine, Vietnam, Italy, and Croatia.

In Hannover, the demand for specialized workers is high due to the major role of conference business throughout the year. Foreign workers significantly contribute to the success of tourism in Lower Saxony, as a survey by the German Press Agency revealed, with the hospitality industry being heavily affected by labor shortage.

IHK tourism expert Kerstin van der Toorn states that the methods of finding foreign workers vary. The state government's partnership with Tangier, as well as other recruitment strategies, are aimed at addressing this issue and ensuring the continued growth and success of the tourism industry in Lower Saxony.