Now and then, you can hear a story from a guest who can’t make an Airbnb booking because they are too young. Even though Airbnb’s Nondiscrimination Policy prohibits discrimination against age, some rules do exist. They protect hosts against fraud and ensure only adults who can take responsibility for their actions book a property.
The Airbnb age limit is one of the core policies at the platform. But how young is too young? Learn everything about Airbnb age requirements, additional restrictions, and the verification process here.
Minimum age to rent Airbnb
How old do you have to be to get an Airbnb?
18 is the minimum age to book Airbnb.
It means guests must be at least 18 years old to create an account, go through Airbnb guest screening, and check-in. The Airbnb minimum age requirement applies only to the main guest owning the account. You can book a property for a whole family of different ages, but if anything happens, you are the responsible one.
Extra rules on Airbnb age to rent
The 18-rule on the Airbnb age to rent works in most cases. Still, in some locations and properties, the bar is higher. The policies for minors may also differ depending on the listing and host’s preferences. Let’s clarify what to expect as a guest.
Airbnb under 25 policy
In 2020, Airbnb announced that some guests under 25 may be unable to book entire home listings in their local area. It was an attempt to prevent safety-related issues caused by parties and massive gatherings. The limitation still exists, but it has changed over the last few years. Now, the platform uses a combination of reviews, algorithmic checks, and guest verification to detect who can book and who cannot. Overall, if you have at least three positive reviews and completed Airbnb ID verification, you should have no booking problems, even under 25.
Booking on behalf of a minor
You can make a reservation for a minor, but the main guest owning the account must be over 18 years old. This adult is responsible for the reservation and must be present during the stay. If you cannot stay with the minor for any reason, explain it to the host and make sure they have no objections. Some hosts have rules that additionally limit bookings for minors.
Note that whatever happens at the property, the adult placing a booking holds the legal responsibility. So if you book an apartment for teenagers and they throw a party breaking up something, you will pay for that. You can read more about Airbnb damage policy to know how it works.
Local differences
Location may also affect Airbnb minimum age. In most countries, the Airbnb age to rent is 18, including the Airbnb age requirement for the US. Yet in places like neighborhoods near colleges or areas popular for parties, hosts may apply the 21 or 25 rule to protect their property additionally. That’s why you should always read the policies in the listing before booking.
In some areas, hosts also impose additional age or identity verification requirements to meet the local law. Talk to the host directly if any of the rules seems weird to learn why you must follow them. Barcelona is known to have one of the strictest regulations. Learn is Airbnb legal in Barcelona in our post.
Can Airbnb hosts set custom age restrictions?
Yes, hosts can specify the minimum Airbnb check-in age in their house rules or listing. Many hosts who have negative experiences with student parties do not accept guests under 25 or even 30.
Even though a host won’t get information about your age when you book, they may ask about it before accepting the booking or requesting an ID. At this point, you may have your booking declined. So it’s better to play fair and mind the rules of the property you book from the start.
Airbnb guest verification to check Airbnb age limit and book safely
Is it normal for Airbnb host to ask for an ID? Identity verification is necessary to check a guest’s identity and it validates their age as well. Guests must provide their legal name, address, and government ID photo when registering at Airbnb. If the system detects that the birthday dates in the documents and the registration form don’t match, they cannot register.
Why is my Airbnb host asking for ID if I have already registered? A host may run additional verification to protect their property, meet local regulations, and prevent fraud. Airbnb allows hosts to ask for guest IDs if they mention it in the listing as a booking requirement. A host can also use third-party tools like Truvi for guest and guest verification. With Truvi, guests receive a secure, personalized URL to share their details and complete the verification easily.
The use of extra tools for ID verification benefits guests through:
- Reduced risk of Airbnb scams. When a host asks for extra verification, it shows they are responsible and honest.
- Enhanced security and safety. Airbnb host guarantee and guest protection policies have the gaps tools like Truvi can cover.
- Faster check-in and smoother booking. The simplified verification procedure collects only the critical information and minimizes unnecessary communications.
- Increased trust between guests and hosts. Transparent communication and clear booking rules ensure a positive experience for both sides.
So, if a host asks you to verify your identity, it means they care about their property and your stay. Just make sure the communication channel is safe.
Summing up
Let’s recap the main points. How old do you have to be to book an Airbnb? 18 years for most properties and locations. You can also book for minors but must inform the host about it. Some hosts require the adult who books the property to stay with minors and you must obey these rules.
You may also be asked to provide your ID for verification. It’s a common practice for many hosts. Hosts run additional guest checks to avoid fraud, minimize the risk of damage-related claims, and ensure safety during stays.