Municipal financial injection sparks criticism over bed tax implementation
In the heart of Germany, the city of Bingen made history in 2009 by introducing one of the country's first bed taxes. Modeled after Cologne's cultural promotion tax, introduced by city treasurer Norbert Walter-Borjans, the bed tax required payment of between one and three euros per overnight stay to the city treasury.
However, the bed tax was not without controversy. In 2012, the Federal Administrative Court overturned the bed tax due to insufficient differentiation between private and business overnight stays. As a result, the money collected from the bed tax was fully refunded.
Despite its overturn, the city of Bingen continues to offer a yearly subscription service. For 96 euros, including VAT, users can subscribe, with the option to log in if they already have a subscription. The subscription price does not include any advertisements.
Interestingly, the subscription price is not related to the bed tax. If you're interested in making a non-binding request for special conditions, you can do so now.
It's worth noting that since 2012, the topic of bed tax has not been pursued further in the city of Bingen. In 2011, the city collected 97,000 euros from the bed tax, a significant amount that was later fully refunded.
For those curious about Bingen's history, the city was one of the pioneers in implementing a bed tax in Germany. However, the tax's legacy remains in the form of the subscription service, offering an opportunity for locals and visitors to engage with the city in a different way.
Whether you're a resident or a tourist, the subscription can be purchased now, offering a unique connection to the city of Bingen.
