Osnabrück will introduce the accommodation tax from October 2025!

Osnabrück will introduce the accommodation tax from October 2025!

Osnabrück receives an accommodation tax

From October 1, 2025, an accommodation tax of 3.5% of the overnight price will be introduced in Osnabrück. The aim of this new levy is to provide financial support for important urban tasks such as tourism, culture and infrastructure. The city council decided this on July 1, 2025 in a statute that now comes into force. The tax is levied on all accommodation establishments within the city limits, meaning that both hotels and other accommodation providers are affected.

What do guests need to consider?

All guests staying overnight are required to pay the tax. However, this does not happen directly - the accommodation providers are responsible for collecting the tax amount from the guests and paying it to the city in a timely manner. The whole thing is handled digitally via the city of Osnabrück’s service portal. Companies can already store their master data in the portal to make collection easier. For the 4th quarter of 2025, the first tax return must be submitted by January 15, 2026 at the latest. After submission, the companies receive a tax notice that contains all relevant information about the amount of tax and the payment methods. If you have any questions, the hotel operators can contact Ms. Irmer on 0541 323-2601 or by email presse-service.de reported.

Criticism from the industry

The project is not without controversy. The German Hotel and Restaurant Association (DEHOGA) categorically rejects bed taxes and similar levies. The criticism relates in particular to the regulatory and legal aspects of these taxes. DEHOGA argues that singling out a single industry is unacceptable and that the positive economic effects of cultural tourism are not convincing. It is stated that other sectors, such as retail, also benefit from the positive influences of tourism, while the hotel industry contributes to stimulating tourism through its own marketing measures.

According to the critical voices, the introduction of the accommodation tax is seen as a hindrance to necessary investments and positive developments on site. Given the challenges posed by high inflation and rising energy prices, this tax significantly limits companies' options. Instead, the industry calls for cities to be interested in the recovery of businesses and quality of life in inner cities dehoga-bundesverband.de can be read.

Those involved can look forward to the coming months to see how the introduction of the accommodation tax will affect tourism in Osnabrück. What is certain is that this innovation will bring both opportunities and challenges.