Airbnb, Booking, Abritel: every booking goes through a platform that takes its cut. But the commissions from booking platforms do not look alike, and the best-known of them is changing its model in a few days. Here is, platform by platform, who pays what, on what basis, and what this changes for a property owner on the French Riviera.
Key takeaways
- On October 13, 2026, Airbnb is shifting hosts in the European Economic Area to a host-only fee structure of 15.5 %. Guests will no longer pay a service fee.
- The commission concerns the price of the nights and the fees charged to the traveler, including cleaning, but never the tourist tax.
- Booking does not publish any rates: yours appear in your contract and in the extranet.
Airbnb: the end of shared fees on October 13, 2026
Until now, Airbnb offered two structures. In the shared expenses, the host paid approximately 3 % and the traveler 14.1 to 16.5 % of the subtotal of their reservation. In the one-time fees, known as host-only, the host bears the commission alone: 15.5 % for most listings, and 14 to 16 % depending on the case.
This choice disappears. Airbnb generalize the one-time fees the transition takes place on September 15, 2026 outside the European Economic Area, and October 13, 2026 for the EEA and Switzerland, so for France. Starting on that date, travelers will no longer pay a service fee: the price they see is the price you list, and Airbnb deducts 15.5 % from your payment.
Direct consequence: leaving a rate as is reduces your net income by about 12 points. Airbnb provides a repricing tool before the shift. This is the right time to review your grid, as explained in our article on the dynamic pricing.
What is the commission calculated on?
The service fee applies to the nightly rate and the fees you charge, including cleaning. It does not apply to taxes or the guest service fee. The city tax collected by Airbnb is added to the traveler's payment and is not included in the calculation: it does not affect your payout.
Cancellation fees, often forgotten
If you cancel a confirmed reservation, Airbnb applies cancellation fee at a minimum 50 $, then 10 % of the amount if the cancellation occurs more than 30 days before the stay, 25 % between 30 days and 48 hours, and 50 % of the remaining nights less than 48 hours in advance. Here again, the basis includes the base rate and cleaning fees, but not taxes.
VAT on service fees
For a rental company established in France without a verified VAT number, Airbnb charges 20 % VAT on its service fees. With a validated EU VAT number, VAT is not charged, but it is up to you to declare it. A rental company operating under the franchise-in-base scheme can ask for this number without losing the benefits of the franchise.
Note for the future: starting January 1, 2027, Airbnb will withhold social security contributions micro-entrepreneur hosts on behalf of Urssaf.
Booking.com: a negotiated rate, never published
Booking does not communicate any public rates. The commission depends on the country and the type of establishment ; yours is specified in your contract at the time of registration, and then in the extranet. Beware therefore of the figures circulating: only your contract is authentic.
The basis of assessment, on the other hand, is clear: the commission applies to the total amount of the reservation, including cleaning fees, service fees, and amounts due in the event of cancellation or no-show. Local taxes, including the tourist tax, are excluded. On the traveler's side, Booking adds no reservation fees the platform charges a commission only to the host.
Genius, Preferred Partners, Accelerator: what it really costs
The program Genius does not increase your commission: it is a price discount of 10, 15, or 20 % that you fund through your prices. The Preferred Partner and Preferred+ programs, as well as the Visibility Booster, do, however, increase the commission in exchange for visibility. Booking does not publish these additional costs: they appear in your extranet at the time of activation. The same goes for payment processing fees when Booking collects payments on your behalf: the principle is published, but not the rate.
Abritel and Vrbo: 5 % plus 3 %, unless you use software
On Abritel, the publication is free and the booking plan charges 5 % in commission and 3 % in payment processing fees. The 5 % entries refer to the rental and the charges billed to the traveler, including cleaning fees; the 3 % entries refer to the total amount paid, including taxes and the security deposit.
One point matters particularly for a property managed by a concierge service: if the listing is connected via management software, Abritel charges a fee of 12 to 15 % in Europe, instead of 5 % plus 3 %. A reservation processed outside of Abritel’s payment gateway is charged at 10 %. The former annual subscription plan is no longer available to new partners. VAT is added to the commission when applicable.
The traveler pays service fees in addition, the percentage of which Abritel does not publish.
Expedia: the same thing, via Vrbo
For a vacation rental, Expedia uses Abritel and Vrbo under the same conditions. An eligible listing is distributed on the group's Partner Network, including Expedia, at no extra cost. A direct contract with Expedia exists for professional accommodations, but its rate is negotiated on a case-by-case basis and is not public.
Tripadvisor has left the vacation rental business
There is no point in looking for a price list: the group stopped its vacation rental business. Direct bookings ended in September 2024; listings remained visible until November 18, 2025; and the owner portal closed on that date. The listings still visible on the site are from third-party partners.
Booking platform commissions: the comparison table
| Platform | Who pays | Rate | On what |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbnb, starting October 13, 2026 | The host | 15,5 % | Number of nights and charges billed, excluding taxes |
| Booking.com | The host | Unpublished contractual | Total amount, excluding local taxes |
| Abritel and Vrbo | Host and Traveler | 5 % + 3 %, or 12 to 15 % via software | Rental and invoiced fees |
| Expedia (via Abritel) | Host and Traveler | Same as Abritel | Same as Abritel |
What This Means for You, the Homeowner
Booking platform fees aren’t a cost to avoid—they’re the price you pay for the guests who fill your calendar. The real question is net income, after fees, cleaning, and management costs have been deducted. That’s the calculation we break down in our comparison. seasonal or long-term rental in Nice.
Three things to do before October 13: check the fee structure for each of your listings, adjust your prices to account for the increase to 15.5 % on Airbnb, and compare how much each platform actually pays out. Our tips for increase your rental income take up these levers one by one. Also think about your obligations, detailed in our article on how to declare a seasonal rental.
How does it work with Hello Riviera Stay?
The price displayed to your guests already includes the platform's commission: in the end, it is therefore the guest who pays for it. In the payment mechanism, however, it appears as a deduction from the payout you receive.
With us, cleaning fees are charged to the guest in addition to the nightly rate. And our management commission, ranging from 10 to 24 % excluding tax depending on the plan, is calculated on the net amount that goes to you: once the platform's commission has been deducted, and excluding cleaning fees and tourist tax. The details of the three plans are on our Pricing Page.
OUR SERVICE
Cross-posting your ad
Your listing published on Airbnb, Booking, Vrbo and other platforms, with synchronized calendars.
Frequently asked questions
What commission does Airbnb charge the host in 2026?
Until October 12, 2026, shared fees are approximately 3 %, with the guest paying 14.1 to 16.5 %. Starting October 13, 2026 in France, the host will be solely responsible for a one-time service fee of 15.5 %, and the guest will no longer pay any service fees.
Does the commission apply to the cleaning fee?
Yes, on Airbnb as on Booking and Abritel, the fees charged to the guest are included in the commission base. The tourist tax, however, is excluded from it.
What is Booking.com's commission rate in France?
Booking.com does not publish it: it depends on the country and the type of property, and appears in your contract and then in the extranet. Visibility programs increase it, without the additional cost being published.
Should you increase your prices before October 13, 2026?
If your Airbnb listing is still using split-fee pricing, yes: without adjustment, the switch to 15.5 % reduces your net income by about 12 points. Airbnb offers a tool to readjust your rates before the transition.
Are booking platform commissions deductible?
Under the standard tax regime, yes: they are deductible as an expense. Under the micro-BIC regime, no: you declare your gross revenue, including commissions, and the standard allowance is supposed to cover your expenses.
Sources and updates
Article verified on September 22, 2026 on the platforms' official pages: Airbnb service fee, Announcement of the Airbnb migration, Booking.com commission, Abritel booking fee, End of TripAdvisor Rentals. Rates are subject to change: your contract and your extranet are binding.
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