How to calculate your real Airbnb profit in Europe

The payout email is not your profit. Between the guest's payment and the money you keep there are platform fees, tourist tax, possibly VAT, and every cost of running the place.

1. Start from what the guest paid

Use the gross amount the guest paid for the stay, including the cleaning fee. That's the number every other figure comes out of.

2. Take off the platform fee

Every channel takes a cut, and it's rarely the same. Use the rate in your own contract. Typical values many European hosts see:

These are orientation values, not quotes. Always check your contract and payout reports.

3. Take off tourist tax

Many European cities charge a tourist tax per guest per night. If you collect it inside the price, it isn't yours: it goes to the city. Estimate it as:

tourist tax = nights × guests × rate per guest per night

4. Take off VAT, if you charge it

If you're VAT-registered and your stays are subject to VAT, part of the remaining amount belongs to the tax office:

VAT = (gross − tourist tax) × rate ÷ (1 + rate)

5. Subtract your costs

Cleaning, laundry and linen, consumables, utilities, internet, repairs, insurance, community fees, local taxes, software and your accountant. Shared costs across several properties still count.

Worked example

Try your own numbers in the free calculator.