Betten Tax Coming to Saarbrücken - Saarbrücken to Impose 3.5% Hotel Tax from April 2026
Saarbrücken, Germany, is set to introduce a hotel and vacation rental news tax of 3.5% on overnight stays from April 1, 2026. This new tax is expected to generate around €1.5 million annually, with funds earmarked for tourism promotion. However, the move has sparked criticism from Dehoga, a German hotel and restaurant association, which argues that it comes at a challenging time for the hospitality industry.
The tax, to be levied on each overnight stay, will create a significant administrative burden for hotels. Dehoga warns that the burden of the tax will primarily fall on hotels, not guests, as business travelers may not bear the cost due to fixed corporate contracts. The association argues that hotels are already struggling and this tax could further strain their operations.
The new tax is part of Saarbrücken's efforts to boost tourism. The city expects the tax to bring in millions of euros each year, which will be used to promote tourism and related activities. The tax rate has been set at 3.5% of each overnight stay, effective from April 2026.
Saarbrücken's new hotel and vacation rental news tax, set to commence in April 2026, aims to generate substantial revenue for tourism promotion. However, the tax faces criticism from Dehoga, which argues that it could place an unfair burden on hotels at a time when the industry is already facing challenges. The impact of the tax on both hotels and tourism promotion remains to be seen.
