Overnight stay tax also for business travelers in future

The accommodation tax for guests of Berlin hotels will also apply to business travelers from 1 April. The House of Representatives passed a corresponding amendment to the law by a large majority on Thursday.

The tax was introduced in 2014 for private overnight stays in order to make travelers contribute to the costs of infrastructure, cultural or leisure activities in the city. It amounts to five percent of the net remuneration for the overnight stay - excluding additional costs such as breakfast.

According to the draft bill, the Berlin tax authorities expect additional revenue of around 25 million euros per year as a result of the extension to business travelers. The aim is to reduce bureaucracy for hotels and tax offices, as overnight stays for business purposes previously had to be documented and checked separately.