German hospitality compliance guide
Germany hospitality compliance and regulations
German accommodation providers deal with three separate requirements: KassenSichV (tamper-proof cash registers), AVS (guest registration and tourist tax reporting) and, from 1 January 2026, separate VAT on meals and beverages. SabeeApp handles all three.
Quick facts
KassenSichV at a glance
- Regulation
- KassenSichVKassensicherungsverordnung
- In effect since
- 1 Jan 2020Enforced with financial penalties
- Requirement
- Certified TSEA Technical Security Device that securely logs every transaction so it can't be altered or deleted
- Applies to
- Any electronic cash registerNot only hotels — any business in Germany using one
- Purpose
- Preventing tax fraudFrom undeclared or altered revenue
- In SabeeApp
- Automated fiscal reportingThrough the KassenSichV integration and Fiskaly
First requirement
What is KassenSichV?
KassenSichV (Kassensicherungsverordnung) is a German regulation designed to prevent tampering with electronic cash register systems, in effect since 1 January 2020. It requires businesses to fit their cash registers with a Technical Security Device (TSE), which securely logs every transaction so it can't be manipulated or deleted after the fact.
The stated purpose is combating tax fraud from undeclared or altered revenue. Non-compliance carries financial penalties.
SabeeApp PMS
Certified TSE
Fiscal registry
SabeeApp automates the reporting between your PMS and the German fiscal registry required under KassenSichV, so transaction data is logged and reported without a manual step for your team.
Second requirement
AVS — guest registration and tourist tax
In Germany, providers must collect and register guest information under the Federal Registration Act (Bundesmeldegesetz, Section 29) on arrival. Since 2020, digital registration forms have been permitted, provided they're securely signed — for example with two-factor authentication or electronic ID verification.
The Automated Visitor Registration System (AVS) is a digital platform that handles guest check-ins, tourist tax reporting and statistical submissions, including digital billing of guest contributions and reporting to the State Office of Statistics. Some municipalities still accept paper reports, but AVS replaces that with automated digital reporting, including monthly obligations.
- Regulation
- Guest registration — Bundesmeldegesetz, Section 29
- Reported through
- AVS — Automated Visitor Registration System
- Covers
- Guest check-ins, tourist tax and statistical submissions to the State Office of Statistics
- Also used in
- Switzerland
Because not every property needs it, the AVS export isn't enabled by default in the PMS. Your account manager can turn it on for your property.
SabeeApp exports the report AVS expects directly from your reservation data, so guest details are never entered twice — once in the PMS at check-in, then uploaded to AVS as a single file.
Third requirement
VAT service split from 1 January 2026
German VAT rules require meals and beverages to be taxed at different rates and shown separately on invoices. Fixed-price F&B offers that include both need splitting.
SabeeApp applies the simplified flat-rate allocation German tax authorities allow — 70% meals at 7% VAT, 30% beverages at 19% VAT — to any service you mark as eligible for splitting. Financial reports show the two lines separately, while operational reports such as F&B planning still count the service once.
Three German requirements, three different authorities — all fed by the same guest and folio data.
Ready to handle German compliance without the manual work?
Let SabeeApp handle KassenSichV fiscal reporting, your AVS exports and the 2026 VAT split automatically.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
A German regulation requiring cash registers to be protected against tampering with a certified Technical Security Device (TSE), in effect since 1 January 2020.
It applies to any business using electronic cash register systems, not only hotels.
The regulation carries financial penalties for non-compliance; check current enforcement details with the relevant German tax authority.
The Automated Visitor Registration System — a digital platform for guest check-ins, tourist tax reporting and statistical submissions, including reporting to the State Office of Statistics. It helps providers meet guest registration duties under the Federal Registration Act (Bundesmeldegesetz, Section 29).
No. Because not every property needs it, the AVS export is switched off by default — ask your account manager to enable it. Exports cover up to 7 days at a time and download as a ZIP file you upload into AVS.
Since 2020 digital registration forms have been permitted, provided they are securely signed — for example with two-factor authentication or electronic ID verification. Some municipalities still accept paper reports.
Meals are taxed at 7% and beverages at 19%, and the two must appear separately on invoices. Fixed-price or all-inclusive F&B offers that include beverages therefore need splitting.
Using the simplified flat-rate allocation German tax authorities allow: 70% of the price to meals at 7% VAT and 30% to beverages at 19% VAT, applied automatically to services you flag for splitting.
This page is for general guidance only and is not legal advice. Requirements change; always confirm current rules with the relevant German authority.