Hotel Housekeeper / Room Attendant (Housekeeping • Zimmermädchen)
This page explains typical housekeeping expectations in German hotels for English-speaking teams. It is written for candidates who want a clear, practical overview: duties, standards, documents, and pay logic. All pay figures on this page are gross (brutto).
What you will do (hotel standard)
- Clean guest rooms and bathrooms to a defined checklist: dusting, vacuuming, mopping, surfaces, mirrors, sanitary areas.
- Make beds quickly and correctly; change linens and towels; handle laundry/linen flow according to the floor routine.
- Replenish amenities (soap, paper, tea/coffee sets if applicable) and report missing/damaged items immediately.
- Follow “do not disturb” and privacy rules; maintain a strict lost & found procedure.
- Use cleaning chemicals safely (labels, dilution, PPE); keep your trolley organized and corridors neat.
What hotels measure
- Speed with consistency: room turnaround without skipping critical steps.
- Quality checks: corners, bathroom hygiene, glass/mirrors, odor control, correct bed standard.
- Reliability: attendance, shift readiness, calm teamwork during peak check-out days.
Detailed expectations (screening criteria)
- English CV (PDF preferred): role history, dates, locations, and responsibilities.
- Experience: hotel housekeeping is strongly preferred; if you are new, show relevant cleaning discipline (commercial cleaning, facilities, etc.).
- Physical readiness: standing/walking most of the day, bending, lifting linen, repetitive tasks.
- Hygiene mindset: bathrooms, touchpoints, and guest-facing cleanliness standards are non-negotiable.
- Work ethics: punctuality, respect for supervisors, and strict property/privacy rules.
- German basics (A1–A2): helpful for safety briefings and daily coordination (advantage, not always required).
- Fast, careful, and consistent under time pressure
- Comfortable with checklists and repeated standards
- Team-oriented (floors run on coordination)
- Dislike strict routines or quality inspections
- Need fixed hours only (hotels are shift-driven)
- Prefer solitary work without coordination
We prefer transparent CVs with concrete hotel tasks (rooms/day, floor type, standards used). Vague CVs are difficult to verify.
Minimum wage baseline from 01 Jan 2026
Work performed in Germany must comply with the German statutory minimum wage. From 01 Jan 2026, the statutory minimum wage is €13.90 gross per hour. Sector or company agreements may set higher rates.
- 40 h/week → approx. €2,409 gross/month (13.90 × 173.33 h)
- 39 h/week → approx. €2,349 gross/month
- 38 h/week → approx. €2,289 gross/month
Examples are indicative. Actual gross depends on contracted hours, shift patterns, and project rules.
- Gross hourly pay is tracked via timesheets/time records
- Overtime and shift premiums (if applicable) follow the project rules
- Reimbursements (travel/accommodation) are handled separately where applicable
This page is informational and not legal advice. Eligibility depends on nationality, documents, employer demand, and authority decisions.
Practical conditions (project-based posting model)
Many projects operate through a Polish employer while work is carried out in Germany. In practice this usually means structured onboarding, documented working time, and clear payroll logic that respects the German minimum wage floor for hours worked in Germany.
- Clear documentation: identity, contract/assignment info, and verifiable work history.
- Social security logic: for lawful cross-border setups an A1 certificate may apply (case-dependent).
- Time recording: start/end times and breaks must be recorded accurately for wage compliance.
- Payroll transparency: payslips and gross calculations must match recorded hours.
- Project logistics: accommodation/transport may be arranged depending on the project (details are confirmed individually).
For non-EU candidates, the key barrier is not “English vs German”, but the legal pathway. Skilled profiles with recognized qualifications have more realistic routes. Entry-level roles are generally harder to legalize.
- Skilled worker route: realistic when qualifications can be recognized and match the role.
- Other routes: depend on nationality, sector, and current administrative practice.
Prepare these before applying
- English CV (PDF): phone, email, availability date
- Passport scan + current location (country/city)
- Work evidence: references, photos (optional), certificates if relevant
- Short project list: hotels/locations, dates, tasks, tools/chemicals, rooms/day (if known)
Structured documentation reduces verification time and improves response rates.
Fast, structured application
- Create/Upload your CV: mavial.pl/en/cv.html
- Send your profile via the contact page: mavial.pl/kontakt.html
- We review fit, verify documents, and contact you if your profile matches active demand.
No CV — no review. This protects processing time and keeps screening fair.
Why this role exists — and what “good” looks like
Housekeeping is the operational backbone of a hotel: check-outs, same-day arrivals, and guest standards create predictable pressure points. A strong room attendant is not “just cleaning” — they protect the hotel’s rating by delivering repeatable quality under a time window.
Late morning after check-out: rooms must be turned over quickly, linen must flow correctly, and supervisors spot-check bathrooms and beds. The best performers keep a calm rhythm and do not “trade quality for speed”.
- Bathroom edges, drains, and glass (high-visibility hygiene)
- Bed standard consistency (corners, wrinkles, pillow alignment)
- Trolley order and waste handling (clean workflow)
Questions candidates ask before applying
Is this an official job offer with guaranteed start date?
Do you accept candidates without hotel housekeeping experience?
What language level is required?
What is the minimum gross hourly pay in Germany from 01 Jan 2026?
If accommodation or travel is provided, does it replace the wage?
Can non-EU candidates apply?
Tip: Add a “rooms/day” indicator (even approximate) and a short checklist of tasks you handled. It is one of the fastest ways to show real hotel exposure.
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