The tourist tax is a compulsory fee levied by the Hanseatic and University City of Rostock according to the tourist tax statute. The tourist tax is levied throughout the city of Rostock, including the seaside resorts of Warnemünde, Diedrichshagen, Markgrafenheide and Hohe Düne. With the tourist tax, you as a guest contribute to the maintenance and development of the tourist infrastructure in order to provide you tourist facilities, services and events during your stay. All guests who are staying for recreation and have the opportunity to use the services offered are subject to the tourist tax. This applies to overnight guests, permanent guests, day visitors and second home owners.

The amount of the visitor's tax is regulated in the current statute of the Hanseatic and University City of Rostock for the collection of the tourist tax (state: 06/21/2023; application: 09/01/2023). The tourist tax is levied all year round, there is no distinction between high and low season. Arrival and departure days for overnight guests are calculated as two days. It is due on the day of arrival for the duration of your stay, partial payments are not possible.

For overnight guests, the tourist tax is €3.70 per day, €1.45 in the case of a discount.

Day guests aged 15 and over pay €2.25 tourist tax per day, in the case of a discount the tourist tax is waived.

For long-term stays (e.g. second home owners, long-term camping users, boat mooring owners), an annual tourist tax have to be paid regardless of the length of stay. The annual tourist tax is €63.00, €42.00 in the case of a reduction.

As a day guest, you are only liable to pay the tourist tax if you are staying for recreational purposes. The recreational purpose must be clearly identifiable, e.g. if you use the offered tourist facilities. The length of stay is irrelevant.

For everyday activities such as shopping, going to restaurants, visiting relatives and friends, doctor's appointments, going to church, hiking, etc. or even just short, temporary stays, there is no obligation to pay the tourist tax.

If you have paid a tourist tax elsewhere, you have to pay the tourist tax in the Hanseatic and University City of Rostockl, as you can use the tourist facilities here as well.

The mobility offer, using the public transport free of charge, is not included in the Day-GuestCard.

Children up to and including the age of 5 and people with a degree of disability (GdB) of at least 80 are exempt from the tourist tax. Persons with a GdB of 100 are also exempt from paying the tourist tax as well as people accompanying them.

The reduced tourist tax applies to children and young people from 6 up to and including 14 years of age and to people with a degree of disability from 50.

Yes, even as a second home owner you are obliged to pay the tourist tax. This obligation is based on the registration law of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. It is assumed that you, as the owner of the second home, are also visiting and staying for recreational purposes and that you use the recreation facilities offered on site, regardless of the length of stay over the year. Spouses and economically dependent children also have to pay the annual tourist tax, since the there stay is also considered. The annual tGuestCard is valid from 01.01. until 31.12. of the respective year and you can obtain it upon request from the Rostock & Warnemünde Tourist Office. Please fill out the form.

The mobility offer, providing public transportation free of charge, is not included in the annual GuestCard.

Is your apartment 100% used by others, e.g. B. by long-term rental, or if you can rule out self-use for other reasons (upon proof), you do not pay any tourist tax.

The GuestCard is your proof that you paid the tourist tax. In addition, the GuestCard offers you over 50 benefits by participating service partners. A complete, up-to-date overview of all offers can be found here.

Overnight guests can also use public transport in the entire area of the Warnow transport association with their GuestCard (except for the use of the Warnemünde-Hohe Düne and Kabutzenhof-Gehlsdorf ferries and the Molli baths railway). Therefore the GuestCard also serves as a travel authorization for pulic transport.

The GuestCard is available in paper as well as digitally (PDF). Day guests receive a Day-GuestCard and long-term guests an annual GuestCard without the possibility of using public transport free of charge.

As an overnight guest, the obligation to pay the tourist tax emerges on the day of your arrival and ends on the day of your departure. With your overnight booking, you are in the obligation to pay the tourist tax. To make the process as easy and convenient for you as possible, your host (e.g. holiday apartment, hotel, guesthouse, campsite) takes care of the formalities. You will then receive your GuestCard directly upon arrival.

As a day guest, you can purchase your Day-GuestCard either via our web shop (currently under construction) or in one of the tourist information offices.

If you are the owner of a second home that you use for recreational purposes, you are obliged to pay the annual tourist tax. The annual GuestCard is valid from 01.01. until 31.12. of the respective year and you can obtain it upon request from the Rostock & Warnemünde Tourist Office. To do this, please fill out the form. Spouses and economically dependent children also have to pay the annual tourist tax.

All holders of a guest card can use the special offers, but free public transport is not included for day guests and holders of an annual GuestCard.

Your GuestCard Rostock & Warnemünde is the proof that you have paid the tourist tax. As a thank you, you can take advantage of over 50 free or discounted offers in museums, exhibitions, leisure facilities, restaurants, shops and much more. Below we have provided you with an overview of the numerous advantages.

Please note: The tourist tax is a mandatory fee. It is payable independently of the use of the benefits and offers.

People who have paid the tourist tax will receive their personalized GuestCard. It is non-transferrable and only valid for the duration indicated on the card. Persons who need to pay reduced prices or are exempt from the tourist tax, also receive there GuestCard or are indicated on theGuestCard of the main guest (for day guests). The guest card must be carried with you at all times and need to be presented during checks, if necessary together with a photo ID. Please treat the guest card as a valuable document, as it serves as proof that you have paid the tourist tax. You can only use the included benefits when presenting you valid GuestCard.  

As an overnight guest, you can use public transport in the entire area of the Verkehrsverbund Warnow (with the exception of Molli and ferries) free of charge with your GuestCard. You can simply hop on and off. You will receive either the paper version of the GuestCard from your host or the digital GuestCard by E-Mail. On both versions, you will find the logo of the Verkehrsverbund Warnow (VVW) and a description of the validity. This counts as your ticket for public transport and must be presented at controls along with a photo ID. Therefore, please carry the card with you at all times.

This mobility offer, using the public transport free of charge, only applies to overnight guests and is not available with the day and annual GuestCard.

1. What is the Verkehrsverbund Warnow (VVW)?
The Verkehrsverbund Warnow connects all transport companies in the City of Rostock and the district of Rostock. This means that you can use public transport in our area with just one ticket.

2. Who does the GuestCard apply to?
The GuestCard serves as proof of the tourist tax paid. However, only overnight guests can use public transport with the GuestCard. The GuestCard itself serves as a travel authorisation.

3. Where is my GuestCard valid as a travel entitlement?
The GuestCard is valid as a travel entitlement in the entire area of the transport association, i.e. in the City of Rostock and in the district of Rostock.

4. Which means of transport can I use?
The following means of transport can be used in the City of Rostock aand the district of Rostock: City and regional bus, tram, suburban train, regional train.

5. Which means of transport are excluded?
The Warnow ferries in Rostock & Warnemünde as well as the Mecklenburgische Bäderbahn (Molli) between Bad Doberan and Kühlungsborn are excluded from the GuestCard.

6. Is the use of public transport limited in time?
You can only use the public transport system with a valid GuestCard. This is limited to your visit as an overnight guest.

7. Can I take my bicycle with me?
Bicycle transport is not included in the GuestCard. You will need a valid ticket. You can easily purchase one in the VVW app. Bicycles can also be taken on the public transport system depending on the space available in the vehicles.

8. Does my dog need an extra ticket?
Yes, your dog needs a reduced single or day ticket. If your dog is still small, so that you can take him on your lap, he travels free of charge.

9. Where can I find the timetable information?
You can find the current timetable information in the free VVW app or on the VVW website. The following functions are available:

(1) Route planning from door to door including address entry and display of routes to the next stop,
(2) Departure and arrival schedules to all stops and stations in the VVW,
(3) Search for the nearest stop/station based on your current position and real-time information/delay display for many lines.

10. How do I behave during the check?
Show the control staff your GuestCard and an official photo ID (identity card, driving licence or passport). The GuestCard is not valid as a ticket without such identification.

Further information on the website of the Verkehrsverbund Warnow:
www.verkehrsverbund-warnow.de/en/

Information on data processing in connection with the collection of the visitor's tax and issue of the GuestCard can be found here.