Market overview
Allowed, with material limits.
Cologne's new Wohnraumschutzsatzung of 29 June 2026 (in force 1 July 2026, valid five years) requires a housing ID number for every short-term rental and a permit beyond 90 days a year.
Property eligibility: Not assessed A market overview can't tell whether a specific home qualifies (zoning, permits, HOA).
Work for Cologne? Claim this page to confirm or correct the rules.
The law in Germany requires hosts to record or report their guests' identity.
System: Besonderer Meldeschein
Deadline: On the day of arrival
Authority: Local registration authority (Meldebehörde) and police, which can inspect the forms
Covers: Foreign guests. German guests have not had to fill in the form since 1 January 2025.
Not legal advice. What is recorded, and whether it is sent or kept for inspection: see the rule in all 27 EU countries.
15 rules on record for Cologne, 8 of them from government sources. Every rule traced to its official source. How we research
Free account includes full rules for one place, with change alerts. Full report $39 · See a sample. For a lender or insurer: rules summary for one address, $29, free with the report. Already have an account? Sign in.
Source: stadt-koeln.de (official), checked 6 Nov 2026. Official links, citations and how to apply come with a paid plan.
Yes, with material limits. Cologne's new Wohnraumschutzsatzung of 29 June 2026 (in force 1 July 2026, valid five years) requires a housing ID number for every short-term rental and a permit beyond 90 days a year.
Yes, a licence or registration is required.
5% + VAT if registered, on our records.
Yes: 90 days a year.
The law in Germany requires hosts to record or report their guests' identity. System: Besonderer Meldeschein. Deadline: On the day of arrival. Authority: Local registration authority (Meldebehörde) and police, which can inspect the forms. Covers: Foreign guests. German guests have not had to fill in the form since 1 January 2025.
We last checked the short-term rental rules for Cologne on 6 Nov 2026.
LawfulStay tracks short-term rental rules for 5,120+ places, with every rule traced to its official source.
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