Since 1 January 2025, guests with German nationality no longer have to complete a registration form in accommodation establishments (Bürokratieentlastungsgesetz IV, Sections 29 and 30 of the Federal Registration Act). For foreign guests the rules remain: registration form on the day of arrival, identity check with ID card or passport, retention for one year and deletion within the following three months. In practice: ask for nationality in the check-in link and show the form only then.

Source: Haufe: Bürokratieentlastungsgesetz IV schafft Meldepflicht für deutsche Gäste ab (10.01.2025)

Anyone letting residential space short-term in Bonn, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Münster, Aachen or Wesseling needs a housing ID number (Wohnraum-ID; free registration via the NRW building portal) that must be visible in every listing. Entire homes may be let short-term for up to 90 days per calendar year without a permit; beyond that a fee-based permit is required, and every letting must be reported in the occupancy calendar by the tenth day after it starts. Exceptions apply to commercially approved premises (boarding houses, commercial holiday lets). Basis in Bonn: housing protection by-law of 1 July 2022.

Source: Land NRW: Schritt für Schritt zur Wohnraum-ID (Stand 07/2025) · Wohnraumschutzsatzung der Stadt Bonn (in Kraft seit 01.07.2022)

Paid overnight stays in Bonn are subject to the accommodation tax – 7 % from 1 January 2026 (6 % until the end of 2025) of the accommodation price including VAT. It is collected with the price and paid to the city; registration and deadlines are set out in the City of Bonn's accommodation tax by-law. Reflect it in your pricing and on the booking platforms.

Source: Haus & Grund Bonn/Rhein-Sieg: Beherbergungs- und Zweitwohnungssteuersätze steigen zum 1. Januar 2026 (09.07.2025)

Under Section 47 (2) of the NRW Building Code, bedrooms, children's rooms and hallways that serve as escape routes each need at least one smoke alarm. The person in direct possession must keep the alarms operational unless the owner takes on this duty – for short-term rentals that means the host: test button at every seasonal changeover, replacement as specified by the manufacturer, devices to DIN EN 14604.

Source: § 47 BauO NRW 2018 (Gesetzestext)

Since the 2017 reform of the German Telemedia Act, Wi-Fi operators are generally no longer liable for infringements by their users; since 2024 the rules continue in the Digital Services Act and its German implementing law. Rights holders can still demand blocking orders. The consumer advice centre recommends WPA3 or WPA2 with a strong password, a separate guest network and not ignoring warning letters. Put the guest network details on the Wi-Fi card above.

Source: Verbraucherzentrale NRW: WLAN-Betreiber – Rechte und Pflichten (Stand 04.12.2025)