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New 15.5% Airbnb fee starting October 2026: what to watch out for and how to adjust your price correctly

August 12, 2026Updated October 13, 2026

Airbnb is shifting the service fee to the host. If you don't adjust your price, you will earn less from each new booking. Check out the exact price calculation, the effective date, and potential tax implications.

New 15.5% Airbnb fee starting October 2026: what to watch out for and how to adjust your price correctly

Quick answer

Airbnb has set October 13, 2026, as the effective date for hosts in the European Economic Area. Instead of a split fee, most hosts will pay a single 15.5% fee based on their price. To maintain roughly the same payout as under the old 3% host fee, the original price needs to be increased by approximately 14.8%.

This is neither a new tax nor an additional fee on top of the existing 3%. The unified fee is intended to replace the old split-fee model. Guests will no longer see a separate Airbnb service fee, and the entire commission will be deducted from the price you set.

What is changing in October

Under the old split-fee model, Airbnb typically deducted approximately 3% from your earnings, while the guest paid a separate service fee. In the new model, the guest fee and host fee are combined into a single commission paid by the host. Airbnb states that most hosts will pay 15.5%, though the specific rate may vary for some listings.

Old split-fee model

2,000 CZK – your set price

Host fee 3%: −60 CZK
Your payout: 1,940 CZK
Guest pays: more than 2,000 CZK

New unified model

2,000 CZK – same set price

Host fee 15.5%: −310 CZK
Your payout: 1,690 CZK
Guest pays: 2,000 CZK before taxes

According to Airbnb, the fee is calculated based on the nightly rate and other host-set fees, such as the cleaning fee. Taxes and fees collected outside of this base amount are handled separately. Always check the specific breakdown for your listing in the earnings overview.

How much you keep after the change

The biggest mistake is automatically adding 15.5% to the original price. It depends on what you want to maintain: the original payout after the 3% commission or a specific net amount.

1,940 CZKoriginal payout based on a price of 2,000 CZK

0,845the portion you keep after the fee

2,295.86 CZKnew price to maintain the original payout

To receive a net amount of 2,000 CZK after the 15.5% deduction, you need to set the price to 2,366.86 CZK. The calculation is 2,000 ÷ 0.845. This corresponds to an 18.34% increase over the desired net amount.

How to set the new price

The math is just the first step. Don't consider the new price in isolation. Guests will now be comparing the amount excluding the separate Airbnb service fee, so a higher figure in your calendar doesn't necessarily mean a higher final price than before.

What to recalculate

base nightly price,
weekend and seasonal rates,
cleaning fee and other surcharges,
weekly and monthly discounts,
minimum and maximum prices in dynamic pricing.

What to check next

the final price the guest sees,
your expected payout,
the difference compared to Booking.com and direct bookings,
prices of the nearest comparable competitors,
bookings for both standard and high-demand dates.

Airbnb offers a price adjustment tool. This can change calendar prices as well as certain other fees. Therefore, review at least a few specific dates before confirming. Do not rely solely on a single percentage applied across the board for the entire year.

How the change affects taxes

Switching to the 15.5% commission does not in itself create a new tax. However, it can alter the amounts used to calculate your tax. The deciding factors are whether you raise the price and how you account for expenses.

Actual expenses

a higher price increases revenue,
the Airbnb commission can qualify as a tax-deductible expense if conditions are met,
the tax base therefore may not rise as quickly as gross revenue,
you need proper documentation and records.

Flat-rate expense deduction or flat-rate tax regime

you do not deduct the Airbnb commission separately,
an increase in the gross price can raise the income used for tax assessment,
can affect your tax, insurance premiums, or flat-rate tax bracket,
compare the entire year, not just a single reservation.

You handle VAT on Airbnb services independently. If you are an "identified person" (for VAT purposes), you generally declare Czech VAT on the service received but cannot claim a deduction. A VAT payer, however, can claim the declared tax as a deduction if the conditions are met.

What to do before making changes

1. Check your rateCheck your earnings overview to see which model and percentage are actually set.

2. Determine your target payoutBase your calculation on the amount remaining after the commission is deducted, not just the original price.

3. Recalculate your entire price listFactor in cleaning fees, seasonality, discounts, Smart Pricing, and any external pricing tools.

4. Test the resultCompare the guest price and your payout for several actual dates before confirming.

Focus on the reservation's total revenue, not just the nightly rate

Superhostem keeps bookings from multiple channels in place. This makes it easier to track activity, stays and the records related to your earnings.

Reservations from multiple channels in a single overview.

Stays and guests linked to specific reservations.

Operational records accessible without manual searching.

Try Superhostem

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Airbnb charge 15.5% plus the original 3%?

No. The unified fee is intended to replace the original split-fee model. For most hosts, a single 15.5% fee will be deducted from the set price. Always check the specific rate in your account, as Airbnb allows for exceptions.

Do I have to raise the price by exactly 15.5%?

No. To maintain the same payout as under the original 3% fee, the mathematical price increase required is approximately 14.8%. If you want to achieve a specific net amount, divide it by 0.845.

Does the change apply to reservations that are already confirmed?

Airbnb states that the unified fee applies to reservations made after the switch to the new model. Reservations already confirmed remain under the original fee structure.

Will my income tax increase because of this?

Not automatically. If you raise the gross price, your income increases. However, if you deduct actual expenses, the Airbnb commission can simultaneously lower your taxable income base. You cannot claim the commission separately when using the flat-rate expense deduction, so higher gross income may increase your tax base.

Is the fee calculated based on the cleaning fee as well?

Airbnb states that the service fee is calculated based on the nightly rate and other fees set by the host, such as the cleaning fee. Check the specific reservation breakdown for the exact basis.

Updated: August 9, 2026. Sources: Airbnb – transition to a unified service fee, Airbnb – service fees and Tax Administration – platforms and taxes. The calculations are illustrative and do not include all individual taxes, deductions, or other fees.