Düsseldorf

You can read this article in German or English.

This article provides specific information about local laws that apply to people who host their homes in Düsseldorf. Just like our country article for Germany, it’s your responsibility to verify and comply with any obligations that apply to you as a host. This article can serve as a starting point or place you can come back to if you have questions but it isn’t exhaustive and it doesn’t constitute legal or tax advice. It’s a good idea to check to make sure laws and procedures are current.

Some of the laws that might affect you are complicated. Contact the Düsseldorf Housing Supervisory Office directly or consult a local advisor, such as an attorney or tax professional, if you have questions.

Regulations for rentals

Düsseldorf has regulations for short-term accommodation rentals that came into effect on October 4, 2019.

Residential space

According to the regulations, any space within city limits which is objectively suitable and subjectively intended for residential purposes is defined as a residential space.

Permits

In general, you need to obtain a permit from the Düsseldorf Housing Supervisory Office if you want to rent any residential space on a short-term basis for more than 90 days per calendar year. There are exemptions, for example for students, who can rent residential space on a short-term basis up to 180 days per calendar year.

An obligation to either show a registration number (Wohnraum ID) or your company details (legal imprint) applies:

Registration obligations

Since July 1, 2022, you have to display a registration number (“Wohnraum-Identitätsnummer”) online if you want to rent out a residential space on a short-term basis and are the tenant or owner. This rule applies irrespective of the amount of days per calendar year that you intend to rent out your residential space on a short-term basis. You can apply for a housing identity number via the online service at NRW construction portal.

Notification obligations

Hosts who rent out space on a short-term basis are obliged to report occupancies, no later than the 10th day after the rental has begun. This notification can be carried out via the online service through which you also received the housing identity number.

Commercial listings do not have to keep an occupancy calendar.

Obligations to display company details

You can choose to add your company details (imprint) instead of providing a registration number, if you host:

• a non-residential space
• a residential space long term (minimum of three months)
• a residential space short-term, if you are not the tenant or owner of the space

The option to add company details instead of providing a registration number, regularly applies to business owners, management companies, B&Bs, serviced apartments and hotels.

Instructions to enter your registration number or imprint on Airbnb

To enter your registration number or your imprint on Airbnb, please follow the following steps:

How to enter your registration number (Wohnraum ID) or company details (imprint):

• Log into your Airbnb account.
• Go to Manage listings and select the respective listing which requires a registration number
• Go to Policies and rules, then Laws and regulations and enter your registration number under Regulations
• Repeat this process for each additional listing

Accommodation tax

Since January, 2024, the City of Düsseldorf has been collecting local tourist tax (Beherbergungssteuer). A tax of 3 euros per overnight stay is due for each accommodation guest.

The following stays are exempt from the tax:

• Stays of persons who have not yet reached the age of 18
• Stays of school trips including their accompanying persons
• Stays from the 22nd overnight stay.

Check Düsseldorf’s administration site for more information about the accommodation tax.