The government is now looking for waiters, cooks, and other workers abroad.
The Austrian government is taking action to address the acute shortage of labor in the tourism and hospitality sectors by increasing the quotas for seasonal workers coming from abroad. The new regulation, which allows for the temporary employment of foreign workers, was sent for review on Wednesday and includes the tourism, agriculture, and forestry sectors.
The new plan includes a total of 8,000 seasonal jobs, of which 5,500 are for seasonal workers in general, and 2,500 are designated for workers coming from the candidate countries of the Western Balkans to join the European Union. This move is expected to provide hotels and restaurants with greater flexibility during the busy winter season. Job applications will start on November 1, 2025, giving employers enough time to prepare for the tourist season. If at least 75% of the quota is used between December 2025 and July 2026, the regulation will be automatically extended for another year.
Elisabeth Zehetner, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, stated that seasonal workers are "indispensable" during peak seasons, noting that the shortage of skilled workers remains one of the biggest challenges facing the tourism sector. For his part, Deputy Minister Sepp Schellhorn confirmed that stability and advance planning are vital for business owners to ensure an adequate number of employees when visitors arrive.
In addition to increasing the quotas, the government will establish an employment fund in the tourism sector with an annual budget of 6.5 million euros. This fund will support training and vocational qualification programs and encourage job opportunities throughout the year in the sector. Labor Minister Korinna Schumann stated that the initiative aims to provide better career prospects for workers and job seekers in the tourism field.
The government confirmed that this step is a temporary measure to alleviate the severe labor shortage and is not a substitute for fair wages or good working conditions. Sector leaders welcomed the decision, with Susanne Kraus-Winkler from the Chamber of Commerce stating that this increase is "extremely necessary" to maintain Austria's position as a leading tourist destination and to relieve pressure on permanent employees.
However, not everyone agreed with the decision, as members of the Freedom Party (FPÖ) directed sharp criticism at the government, accusing it of "abandoning the Austrians" and relying excessively on foreign labor. Nevertheless, the government insists that this measure is necessary to avoid paralysis in the tourism sector during the upcoming winter season.