Osnabrück will introduce the accommodation tax from October 2025!

Osnabrück will introduce the accommodation tax from October 2025!

Osnabrück, Deutschland - Osnabrück receives a accommodation tax

From October 1, 2025, a accommodation tax of 3.5 % of the overnight price will be introduced in Osnabrück. The aim of this new tax is the financial support of important urban tasks such as tourism, culture and infrastructure. The city council decided on July 1, 2025 in a statutes that are now coming into force. The tax is levied in all accommodation companies within the city area, which means that both hotels and other accommodation providers are affected.

What do guests have to consider?

All overnight guests are obliged to pay the tax. However, this does not happen directly - the accommodation companies are responsible for collecting the tax amount from the guests and paying them to the city in good time. The whole thing is handled digitally via the service portal of the city of Osnabrück. The companies can already store their master data in the portal to facilitate the survey. For the 4th quarter of 2025, the first tax return must be submitted by January 15, 2026 at the latest. After submitting, the companies receive a tax assessment that includes all relevant information on the tax height and payment modalities. For questions, the hotel operators can contact Ms. Irmer at 0541 323-2601 or by email, such as press-service.de

Criticism from the industry

The project is not undisputed. The German Hotel and Restaurant Association (DEHOGA) categorically rejects bed taxes and similar taxes. The criticism refers in particular to regulatory and legal aspects of these taxes. DEHOGA argues that the picking up of a single industry is considered unacceptable and that the economically positive effects of cultural tourism are not convincing. It is stated that other industries, such as retail, also benefit from the positive influences of tourism, while the hotel industry contributes to the revitalization of tourism through its own marketing -technical measures.

After the critical voices, the introduction of accommodation tax is considered a hindrance to the necessary investments and positive developments on site. In view of the challenges due to high inflation and increasing energy prices, this tax limits the possibilities of the companies considerably. Instead, the industry is calling for the cities to relax in the company and quality of life in city centers, such as "https://www.dehoga-bundeverband.de/branchenthemen/bettensteuer/"> dehoga-bundesverband.de

The participants can be excited to see how the introduction of accommodation tax will affect tourism in Osnabrück. In any case, it is certain that this innovation will bring both opportunities and challenges.