German customs conduct nationwide inspections of barbershops and salons

The Financial Control of Illegal Employment (FKS) conducted a nationwide inspection of the hair and beauty industry on September 26, 2026. Approximately 2,200 personnel were deployed to investigate illegal employment and violations of tax reporting obligations, specifically targeting barbershops, nail salons, and hair salons.

In the Cologne region, over 60 officers inspected 35 companies across Cologne, Bergisch Gladbach, the Oberbergischer Kreis, and the Rhein-Sieg-Kreis. The inspections revealed several irregularities, including 15 employees without social security registration, 11 instances of suspected social benefit misuse, and 6 cases of suspected minimum wage violations. Additionally, 11 businesses failed to maintain mandatory working hour records, and several employees were found without required identification documents.

In northern Germany, the Kiel main customs office also conducted inspections of barbershops and nail studios as part of this coordinated effort to ensure compliance with labor laws and documentation requirements.