The obligation to report for German guests is: What holidaymakers need to know now!

The obligation to report for German guests is: What holidaymakers need to know now!

The new year 2025 brings a breath of fresh air for the hotel industry in Germany: From January 1, the reporting obligation for German citizens will be eliminated if you spend the night in hotels, hostels or apartments. These measures were decided in the context of the bureaucracy relief law, which should be relieved for many. But what does that mean specifically for guests and hoteliers?

like the ahgz , German guests will no longer have to deposit registration data handwritten or digital in the future. This significantly accelerates the check-in process. Nevertheless, it remains to be done by hotels to voluntarily collect data in order to clarify open claims or municipal taxes, such as the tourist tax. The specific information that hotels can still query are limited to what is necessary for the fulfillment of the accommodation contract.

registration certificate for foreign guests

The regulations differ, however, for foreign guests: they must continue to present an official proof of identity and fill out a registration certificate. This registration certificate records a number of important information, including the date of arrival, expected departure, name, date of birth, nationality and the serial number of the passport. Information on the number of traveling foreigners and their nationality are also required. These measures remain to ensure compliance with legal requirements.

The Tagesschau , this change in law was decided as part of the bureaucracy relief law IV, which was published on October 29, 2024. The government hopes for an annual relief of the economy of around 950 million euros. Noticeable reliefs can also be seen in other areas of everyday bureaucratic life: For example, retention periods for invoices are shortened and tax notices are provided digitally in the future.

reactions from the industry

Despite the elimination obligation, the Hotelverband Germany sees improvement. The general manager, Markus Luthe, who has been committed to a simpler procedure since 1997, emphasizes that the new regulation does not go far enough. He fears that the reception could increasingly arise in the future, since a distinction must be made between domestic and foreign guests.

The need to fill out registration certificates for guests in medicinal baths and spa towns could also continue to cause stress. Around 42 percent of overnight stays in Germany affect German guests, and there are over 90 percent in spa. The Haufe emphasizes that the legal basis for the previous reporting obligation was the GDPR and the Federal Registration Act.