At its meeting on July 9, 2025, the Aachen City Council decided by a large majority to levy an accommodation tax of 2.50 euros per overnight stay from January 1, 2026. Accommodation establishments include hotels, inns, guesthouses, youth hostels and similar facilities. Overnight stays arranged via online platforms (e.g. Airbnb or Booking) are also subject to the tax.

The tax is to be levied for a maximum of 21 days per calendar year for accommodation in the same accommodation establishment.

Exempt from the accommodation tax are persons who are liable to pay the tourist tax in accordance with the city of Aachen's tourist tax statutes, persons staying overnight on school trips and comparable trips organized by independent youth welfare organizations. Children and young people up to the age of 18 are also exempt.

Bookings that have already been confirmed in a legally binding manner by the accommodation provider before the statutes come into force are not subject to the obligation to pay the fee, unless they are subsequently canceled or amended by the guest or the accommodation provider.

The overnight stay tax is intended to distribute the financial burden for infrastructure more fairly among the user groups - including overnight tourists.

Further information: https://ratsinfo.aachen.de/public/vo020?VOLFDNR=1002299