Working in a cafe or restaurant abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

What is working in a cafe or restaurant abroad like?

• For those who enjoy liveliness, people, and good conversation, working at a bar or café abroad can be a great way to earn money, explore new cultures, and gain international experience.
• Working at a bar or café revolves around hospitality, a lively atmosphere, and social interaction. In a café, the emphasis is often on coffee, breakfast, lunch, and an informal atmosphere. In a bar, it's more about drinks, social gatherings, and a vibrant evening culture.
• In practice, these roles often overlap, and someone might serve coffee during the day or drinks in the evening.
• Jobs can range from barista or bartender to all-around hospitality worker or shift supervisor. In international environments, you'll often work with colleagues from different countries and meet guests from all over the world.

Responsibilities

• Taking orders and serving guests.
• Preparing coffee, tea, beer, wine, and other drinks.
• Mixing or pouring simple cocktails or specialty drinks.
• Serving snacks, small dishes, or appetizers. Explaining drinks or daily specials.
• Handling bills and cash register duties.
• Cleaning the bar, tables, and work areas.
• Replenishing stock behind the bar.

Working conditions

• Salaries are usually based on an hourly or monthly wage, depending on the country and type of restaurant.
• In many countries, tips constitute a significant portion of income.
• Formal contracts are possible at larger chains or hotels. In tourist areas, seasonal contracts are often more common.
• Working hours vary from morning shifts to evening and night shifts.
• Sometimes included: meals during service or shared housing.
• There are opportunities for advancement to supervisor, barista specialist, or bartender, among other roles.

What are the reasons for working in a cafe or restaurant abroad?

• To learn to be service-oriented: daily contact with guests strengthens the ability to be hospitable and customer-focused.
• To develop communication skills: working with international visitors requires friendly and culturally sensitive communication. Developing self-confidence: dealing with busy schedules, questions, and different types of guests helps you feel more confident.
• Becoming flexible: changing schedules, peak times, and different types of customers require adaptability.
• Learning to collaborate: good hospitality revolves around smooth collaboration between bar staff, waitstaff, and management.
• Becoming aware of the environment: understanding local drinking culture, social customs, and etiquette helps you adapt better to the international environment.

What skills and motivations do you need to work in a cafe or restaurant abroad?

• Being service-oriented: hospitality is at the heart of the job. Guests must feel welcome.
• Communicating: clearly explaining dishes, orders, and service is essential.
• Being stress-resistant: peak times during lunch, drinks, or events require pace and overview.
• Collaborating: good coordination between waitstaff and kitchen determines the quality of service.
• Being flexible: working hours, tasks, and workloads can vary greatly.

What are the best countries and locations to work in a cafe or restaurant abroad?

• Countries with a strong café and coffee culture: Australia, Italy, Portugal, Turkey, Ethiopia, Colombia, Japan.
• Countries with many backpacker and working holiday jobs in the hospitality industry: New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Argentina, Chile, South Korea.
• Countries with a vibrant bar and nightlife culture: Spain, Thailand, Mexico, Brazil, the Netherlands, South Africa, Japan.
• Countries with a lot of seasonal work in tourist bars and beach cafés: Greece, Spain, Indonesia, Croatia, the Philippines, Mexico, Portugal.

What are the risks of working in a cafe or restaurant abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

What are the risks of working in a cafe or restaurant abroad, and what happens with some regularity:

• that income fluctuates due to dependence on tips or seasonal peaks;
• that physical complaints arise from prolonged standing and repetitive movements;
• that work pressure during peak times leads to mental strain.
• that accidents such as slips, trips, or cuts happen.
• that alcohol-related situations sometimes lead to unsafe conditions.
• that some countries have less safe work environments due to infrastructure, health risks, political instability, or local customs.
• that someone contracts a contagious or local disease, is temporarily unable to work, or even needs to be flown home.
• When you work in the hospitality sector, you may be exposed to greater financial or legal risks as soon as you start performing your work under your own responsibility. It is advisable, as far as possible, to also inquire to what extent your local employer is adequately insured for accidents, technical errors, or misjudgments. Of course, this is not always the case, nor can it be always ascertained in advance. Take this into account as much as possible when deciding whether to perform certain risky tasks.

Are you insured while working in a cafe or restaurant abroad?

• There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when working abroad.
• Local employers generally offer limited or no supplementary insurance.
• During work, internships, or volunteering abroad where you receive compensation or a salary, your own health insurance coverage in the Netherlands may be cancelled. See the pages on: insuring paid work, internships, or volunteering abroad.
• See also: insurance for working in a cafe or restaurant for paid work, for internships and for volunteer work abroad.