Hosting in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland: What Guests Expect (and What You Must Know)

By StayScan Editorial Team · Published · Last updated

Host on Airbnb in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland with confidence. This guide covers registration requirements, guest expectations, seasonal pricing, and how to create a standout guest experience in DACH markets.

The DACH Guest Profile

German, Austrian, and Swiss guests have a reputation among hosts for being demanding reviewers. Having hosted many of them (and having studied patterns across thousands of DACH guest reviews), I'd reframe this: they're thorough and honest reviewers. If something is wrong, they'll say so. If everything is excellent, they'll say that too, and with equal specificity.

Understanding what they prioritise makes them excellent guests to host.

What DACH Guests Actually Prioritise

Cleanliness (Reinheit)

Cleanliness is the baseline in DACH culture, not an aspiration. A high cleanliness standard is expected as a matter of course, it's the absence of cleanliness, not its presence, that gets mentioned in reviews. Achieve excellent cleanliness and DACH guests won't comment on it. Fail to achieve it and they will comment at length and specifically.

Quiet Hours (Ruhezeit)

Germany and Austria have legally mandated quiet hours, typically 10pm to 7am, and often an additional "afternoon quiet" (Mittagsruhe) from approximately 1–3pm. These are not just customs; in many jurisdictions they're enforceable by neighbours calling local authorities.

Your house rules must mention quiet hours clearly. Your guest guide should explain them in the context of the local regulations: "Our building observes German quiet hours from 10pm to 7am and 1–3pm, this is a legal requirement here, not just building policy."

Waste Separation (Mülltrennung)

Germany in particular has an elaborate waste separation system. Guests unfamiliar with it will use the wrong bins, generating complaints from other residents and potential fines in some areas. A clear, illustrated guide to your waste system in your guest materials is genuinely necessary, not optional:

  • Restmüll (grey bin): residual waste, non-recyclable
  • Biomüll/Kompost (brown/green bin): organic waste
  • Papier (blue/grey bin): paper and cardboard
  • Gelbe Tonne/Gelber Sack (yellow): packaging with the Green Dot symbol
  • Glass: taken to public collection points, sorted by colour

A photograph of your specific bins with labels is the most useful approach.

Energy Consciousness

DACH guests typically expect and appreciate good energy efficiency in properties. If your property has good insulation, heat pumps, or other efficiency features, mentioning them in your listing appeals to a significant segment of DACH guests. Equally, they tend to be diligent about turning off lights and heating when not needed, more than most other nationalities.

Heating System Instructions

Many Central European properties have radiator systems with individual room controls and scheduling. Clear instructions on how the heating system works, how to programme it, and what to do if a room is too cold or too warm, reduce messages significantly and improve the stay experience.

Legal Requirements for Hosts in DACH Markets

Germany

  • Zweckentfremdungsverbot (misuse of property law): Several German cities (Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Stuttgart) have laws restricting entire-flat short-term letting to properties where the owner lives. Check your city's specific rules.
  • Registration: Many German cities require STR registration. Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg have formal processes.
  • Anmeldepflicht: Foreign guests (including EU citizens staying more than 3 months) have registration requirements with local authorities. Short stays under 3 months do not require this.
  • Tourist tax: Multiple German cities charge a Kurtaxe or City Tax on accommodation. Airbnb collects this in cities where it has agreements; elsewhere, hosts are responsible.

Austria

  • Short-term rental regulation varies by state (Land). Vienna has specific STR rules; check with the Magistrat for Vienna properties.
  • Tourist tax (Kurtaxe or Tourismusabgabe) applies in most Austrian tourist areas.
  • Austrian income tax applies to rental income above the exempt threshold.

Switzerland

  • The Lex Koller restricts property ownership by foreign nationals in some areas.
  • Short-term rental rules vary by canton. Geneva, Zurich, and tourist cantons (Graubünden, Valais) each have specific rules.
  • Swiss tourist taxes vary by municipality; Airbnb collects in many Swiss cities.

Your DACH Guest Guide: Tone and Content

DACH guests respond well to precise, practical information presented clearly. They appreciate:

  • Exact instructions rather than approximate guidance ("turn left at the oak tree" not "turn left near the tree")
  • Honest descriptions of the property and neighbourhood
  • Clear statement of rules and their rationale
  • Local food and cultural recommendations with specific detail

Overly effusive welcome language reads as insincere to many DACH guests. Warm but straightforward is the right register.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I list my apartment on Airbnb in Berlin?

Berlin has strict Zweckentfremdungsverbot (misuse of property laws). Entire-apartment STR requires a Zweckentfremdungsgenehmigung (permit for short-term use). Renting your primary residence while you're away is generally permitted for up to 90 days. Operating an investment property purely for short-term letting is largely prohibited. Consult the Berlin Senatsverwaltung for Stadtentwicklung's current guidance.

What should I know about hosting in ski resorts in Austria and Switzerland?

Alpine ski resort STR is a mature and well-regulated market. Properties in ski-in/ski-out locations or walking distance to lifts command significant premiums. Key considerations: ski storage is essential, boot dryers are expected at quality properties, transport to/from the lifts should be detailed in your guide, and the shoulder season between ski and summer can have very low occupancy.

Do Swiss properties require special insurance?

Standard Swiss home insurance typically excludes commercial hospitality use. Swiss STR insurance is available through brokers familiar with the Airbnb market. Given Switzerland's generally high costs and legal culture, ensuring proper coverage is important.

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