SeasonHop Worker Survey: What 297 Seasonal Hospitality Workers Told Us
We surveyed 297 seasonal hospitality workers between December 2025 and May 2026 — 226 via a job-position form and 71 via an anonymous questionnaire. Here is what they told us about pay, housing, and what actually makes them sign a contract.
of workers would accept €100 less per month for a verified single room and a guaranteed good team.
60 of 71 anonymous respondents
What work they do
Service, housekeeping and kitchen dominate seasonal hiring.
Based on job-position respondents (n=226)
- Service & Bar63 · 37%
- Housekeeping57 · 34%
- Kitchen50 · 29%
The worst part of finding seasonal work
The "housing gamble" outranks everything — even pay.
Based on anonymous respondents (n=71)
- Housing gamble (room a mystery)41 · 30%
- Blind date (can’t see the team)27 · 20%
- Ghosting (no reply from hotels)25 · 18%
- Language barrier17 · 12%
- Endless scrolling / spam16 · 12%
- Loneliness12 · 9%
German language level
Most seasonal workers have basic or no German — and still get hired.
Based on job-position respondents (n=226)
- Basic or none127 · 56%
- Conversational or fluent99 · 44%
Age
Older than assumed — 26–45 dominates, not 18–25.
Based on anonymous respondents (n=71)
- 26–4551 · 72%
- 46+13 · 18%
- 18–257 · 10%
When they want to work
Year-round availability leads, with strong summer and winter demand.
Based on job-position respondents (n=226)
- Year-round74 · 41%
- Summer68 · 37%
- Winter40 · 22%
Solo or together
Most travel solo, but 1 in 5 come with a partner, friend or group.
Based on job-position respondents (n=226)
- Solo75 · 61%
- With partner / friend / group47 · 39%
Work authorisation
A large minority are non-EU and need visa sponsorship.
Based on job-position respondents (n=226)
- Have EU work permit99 · 68%
- Need visa sponsorship46 · 32%
Methodology
297 responses collected December 2025–May 2026 (226 job-position form, 71 anonymous questionnaire). Multi-select questions; percentages are of the stated sub-sample. Figures may not sum to 100%. You may cite this research with attribution to SeasonHop.