Mélina Facchin 07h07, May 07, 2022

Many amusement parks are currently struggling to recruit seasonal workers.

In Germany, very close to the border with France, Europa-Park encounters fewer difficulties than its competitors.

Many employees are also Alsatians, attracted by a better salary and more flexible hours.

REPORT

Whether to work in hotels, restaurants, welcoming visitors: amusement parks are struggling at this time to recruit seasonal workers for the summer.

Europa-Park, located in Germany, very close to France, 60 kilometers from Strasbourg, encounters fewer difficulties than its competitors.

This park which, outside the Covid period, attracts nearly 6 million visitors each year, offers attractive contracts, with more flexible hours.

Something to seduce many Alsatians in particular. 

Base salaries higher than in France

At the entrance to the Blue-Fire, one of the most impressive and emblematic roller coasters in Europe-Park, Célia makes sure that visitors are well settled and ready to take off.

This Alsatian has worked here every season for 7 years.

"What I like here is the diversity, speaking several languages, meeting people from different backgrounds," explains the 31-year-old.

"And then the salary is very interesting: we touch in the 1700-1800 euros net per month. I think that in France, we would earn much less in another amusement park. I really will not see myself elsewhere anymore", smiles Célia who after several seasons has finally just been hired on a permanent contract.

At Europa-Park, employees are paid at least €11.60/h, almost €1 more than the French minimum wage.

Full-time contracts of 42 hours per week to "earn more"

Beyond salaries, Marie-Claire, a saleswoman in a souvenir shop, also appreciates the more flexible hours than in France.

On this side of the Rhine, full-time corresponds to 42 hours per week.

"It's very interesting for us, the cross-border workers", recognizes this 59-year-old Alsatian.

Work more to earn more!” she exclaims, laughing. part-time contracts.

They also benefit from free admission to the park for themselves and their families, discounts in hotels or shops, or even training in German if necessary.

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Europa-Park still looking for French employees

For Christina Jablonski, recruitment manager at Europa-Park, hiring French people is a win-win.

"We have a lot of French visitors so it's very good to have staff who come from France," she explains.

"At Europa-Park, there are no borders! At the same time, we are so geographically close that France is present everywhere here," she concludes with a smile.

Result: unlike other amusement parks, Europa-Park has already found most of its seasonal workers this year.

A hundred positions still remain to be filled, for all types of positions.

Note that in Germany, students can benefit from special contracts on which they pay much less social charges than in France: their net salary is therefore much closer to gross.