Insight
For non-VAT registered hosts in Europe, Airbnb's service fee can effectively range from 18.45% (Germany) to 19.07% (Ireland, Portugal) due to VAT charged on the fee itself.
Airbnb’s 15.5% Fee Is Really 18.4% to 19.1% for Most Small European Hosts: The VAT Math Nobody Explains
Summary
Airbnb's 15.5% fee can be up to 23% for non-VAT registered hosts in Europe due to VAT on service fees. This impacts payout calculations and competitiveness. Hosts must understand their VAT status to price effectively.
Key takeaway