Airbnb Age Requirement: What You Need to Know Before Booking?
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Airbnb has a clear age policy, but many travelers are still confused. How old do you have to be to book an Airbnb? Can you book if you’re under 18? These are common questions for younger guests planning solo or group trips.
Airbnb requires you to be at least 18 years old to open an account and make a reservation. However, there are location-based rules and listing-specific age limits that can affect your booking.
In this article, we’ll break down Airbnb’s age requirements, and country-specific rules. Later on, important booking tips, and consequences of policy violation are discussed. Let’s dive into it.
What Is Airbnb’s Minimum Age Requirement?
Airbnb’s minimum age requirement is at least 18 years to create an account and book a property to stay. This rule applies to all countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and others. No one under 18 can make a reservation even with parental permission.
However, some locations have added restrictions for guests under 25 years. For example, in the United States, Airbnb may block users under 25 from booking entire homes in certain areas to reduce party risks. This is not a legal requirement, but a safety policy.
In Florida, it’s different. There, hosts are legally allowed to set a minimum age of up to 25 for the booking guest. This exception is based on state law, and Airbnb allows it if clearly stated in the listing.
So, we can say, 18 is the global minimum. However, additional rules for guests under 25 years are applicable depending on the location and listing type. You should always check listing details before booking.
Can You Book an Airbnb If You’re Under 18?
No, you cannot book an Airbnb if you’re under 18. Airbnb requires all users to be at least 18 years old to create an account and make a reservation. However, you can stay at an Airbnb if an adult, e.g., a parent or guardian books the place. Many families do this when traveling with teens or children.
If you’re under 18 and can’t book through a parent, consider staying at youth-friendly hotels or hostels. Chains like Holiday Inn Express, Marriott, and Hilton often allow 16–17-year-olds to check in with parental consent. Please ensure you call ahead and confirm their age policy before booking.
Airbnb Age Restrictions for Specific Countries
Airbnb’s global policy sets the minimum age at 18 years old to book a stay. However, some regions have extra rules for guests under 25 years. These additional restrictions are mainly designed to prevent unauthorized parties and protect hosts. Here’s a quick overview of Airbnb’s age-related policies in different countries:
|
Region/Country
|
Minimum Age to Book
|
Extra Restrictions
|
|---|---|---|
|
United State
|
18+
|
Under 25s with no reviews may be blocked from booking entire homes. Florida allows hosts to set a minimum age of 25 or older.
|
|
Canada
|
18+
|
Similar to the U.S., 25s may be restricted from booking entire homes without reviews.
|
|
United Kingdom
|
18+
|
No legal age restrictions beyond Airbnb’s policy, but anti-party rules may apply.
|
|
Australia & New Zealand
|
18+
|
No country-specific laws apply, but under-25 booking filters may still be in effect in high-risk areas.
|
|
Europe (e.g., France, Germany, Italy)
|
18+
|
Some countries require an ID after booking. No under-25 bans unless flagged by Airbnb’s system.
|
Airbnb Age Restrictions for Specific Listings
Airbnb has a platform-wide rule that you must be 18+ to book. But some individual listings may have their age requirements when the host is trying to prevent parties or protect the property. Here’s how it usually works:
- Entire homes in certain areas, especially in the U.S. and Canada, may require guests to be 25 or older if they have no prior positive reviews.
- Some hosts may clearly state in their listing that only guests aged 21+, 23+, or 25+ can book. Airbnb allows this, as long as the policy is explained upfront.
- Luxury listings, high-end properties, or remote cabins may come with stricter age limits, often to reduce the risk of damage or misuse.
It’s important always to read the listing details carefully. If there’s an age requirement, it will usually appear in the house rules or description. Attempting to book without meeting the requirements may result in your reservation being canceled. If you’re unsure, message the host directly before booking. That way, you will not face any surprises later.
Age Verification & Booking Process
Airbnb takes age verification seriously to ensure the safety of both guests and hosts. Understanding how they confirm your age, effects of age misrepresentation, and whether you need an ID can help you avoid surprises during booking. Let’s answer some of the most common questions travelers have about Airbnb’s age verification.
How Does Airbnb Verify Your Age?
Airbnb may ask you to upload a government-issued ID (like a driver’s license or passport) to confirm your identity and age. This can happen during account setup or before booking, especially for high-risk reservations.
Can You Fake Your Age to Book an Airbnb?
Not really. Airbnb’s system is designed to catch false information. If you try to input a fake birthdate, you may still be asked to verify your ID, and that’s where it falls apart. Airbnb matches your profile details with your uploaded ID.
What Happens If You Lie About Your Age on Airbnb?
If Airbnb finds out you’ve lied about your age, they may cancel your reservation, suspend your account, or permanently ban you. Hosts can also report suspicious activity if they believe the guest is underage.
Do You Need an ID to Book an Airbnb?
Not always, but it’s becoming more common. Some hosts require a verified ID before confirming a booking. Airbnb may also request ID for:
- First-time bookings
- High-value listings
- Entire-home stays for guests under 25
To be safe, it’s smart to have your ID ready during the process.
How Hosts Can Set Their Age Limits
Airbnb allows hosts to set their age restrictions, within reason, as long as they follow Airbnb’s policies and clearly state the rules in their listing.
Here’s how hosts can do it:
- Add age requirements in the house rules or listing description (e.g., “Guests must be 25+ to book”).
- Use Airbnb’s guest requirements settings to allow only guests with a government-issued ID or positive reviews.
- If needed, message guests before accepting a reservation to confirm their age and travel plans.
Airbnb doesn’t offer a direct setting to block specific age groups, but hosts can decline requests that don’t meet their criteria, as long as they apply the rule fairly and consistently.
Hosts cannot set age limits in a way that violates Airbnb’s Nondiscrimination Policy. For example, refusing families with children is not allowed unless there’s a safety risk clearly explained.
What happens if any Guest violates Airbnb's age policy?
If a guest violates Airbnb’s age policy by lying about their age or booking when they’re under 18, Airbnb takes it seriously. Here’s what can happen:
Immediate cancellation of the booking, even last-minute
Loss of access to the account or temporary suspension
In more serious or repeated cases, permanent removal from the platform
No refund if the cancellation was due to policy violation
Hosts also have the right to deny check-in if they find out the guest doesn’t meet the age requirements. In that case, Airbnb usually supports the host and may withhold the guest’s refund.
Airbnb evaluates ID verification, guest reviews, and account behavior to identify potential violations. Even if you manage to book without showing ID, a host can still report you if they suspect you’re underage.
Tips for Young Travelers (18-24 Years Old)
Traveling on Airbnb as a younger guest is possible. But you’ll need to be smart about how you book. Here are a few tips to help you avoid issues and get approved easily:
Filter Listings Wisely
If you’re under 25 with no reviews, use Airbnb’s search filters to look for private rooms or shared spaces. Entire homes may be restricted in some areas. Also, check the house rules for any age limits before sending a request.
Message the Host First
Before booking, send a short, polite message to the host. Introduce yourself, share your travel plans, and explain why you chose their place. This builds trust and helps you stand out from anonymous requests.
Build a Positive Profile
Complete your Airbnb profile with a clear photo, short bio, and verified ID. If you’re new, try to get a few good reviews by booking short stays or co-traveling with older guests. Hosts are more likely to accept bookings from guests with a positive history.
Conclusion
It’s important to consider Airbnb’s age requirement to avoid age-related issues. If you’re over 18 years old, generally you can book properties to stay on Airbnb. But there are some additional rules regarding age based on accommodation types and user’s history. To clarify, ask hosts for detailed instructions and fill-up your detailed profile to avoid rejections. So, if you’re new to Airbnb or planning as a young guest, these will help you to make your trip more pleasant.
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