Tourist tax Bad Wörishofen – Information on the guest card
The spa tax in Bad Wörishofen (also called spa contribution or spa levy ) is a mandatory charge for overnight guests in the Kneipp spa town of Bad Wörishofen. It currently amounts to €3.60 per person per night in spa zone I. The town uses these revenues to finance important tourist facilities – for example, the upkeep of the spa park, Kneipp facilities, hiking trails, and cultural offerings. This ensures that guests find a well-maintained spa town and can benefit from a wide range of activities from the moment they arrive.
Tourist tax in Bad Wörishofen: Amount, spa zone and benefits
How much is the tourist tax in Bad Wörishofen? The tourist tax in Bad Wörishofen is currently €3.60 per person per night in the main spa zone (Spa Zone I). In the outer areas (Spa Zone II, e.g., districts like Hartenthal or Schöneschach), the tourist tax is reduced to approximately €1.80 per night. This tax is usually collected by your host on site, either separately or together with the accommodation price. Children and young people up to 15 years of age are exempt from the tourist tax , meaning they do not pay it. Overnight stays for business purposes are also exempt from the tourist tax, as the tax is primarily levied on tourists and spa guests.
Bad Wörishofen is one of Germany’s most popular spa towns. The number of guests and overnight stays is correspondingly high: In 2022, Bad Wörishofen recorded over 122,800 visitors and around 530,310 overnight stays . The spa tax ensures that these many guests will continue to find well-maintained facilities, an attractive program of events, and a first-class spa resort. The revenue is used, for example, for the upkeep of the famous spa park, the Kneipp therapy facilities, hiking trails, and cultural offerings such as spa concerts. All visitors indirectly benefit from the spa tax, as it enables free or discounted services provided through the Bad Wörishofen Card (guest card) .
Who has to pay tourist tax – and who is exempt?
Generally, all overnight guests in Bad Wörishofen who are traveling for spa or recreational purposes must pay the spa tax. However, there are exceptions and discounts for certain groups of people:
- Children and young people under 16 years of age: completely exempt from the tourist tax (pay nothing).
- Guests with severe disabilities: those with a 100% disability receive a 50% discount , those with an 80–90% disability receive a 30% discount on the spa tax. Example: In spa zone I, guests with a 100% disability pay only €1.80 instead of €3.60 per night.
- Accompanying persons of severely disabled persons: If the severely disabled person has the symbol “B” in their ID card , the accompanying person receives the same discount as the person themselves; if the symbol “H” (helpless) or “Bl” (blind) is used, the accompanying person is completely exempt from the tourist tax .
- Participants in training courses or seminars receive a 50% discount on the tourist tax (often for work-related courses in the spa town).
- Members of the Kneipp Association: Individuals with valid proof also only pay 50% of the tourist tax.
- Business travelers (professional stay): exempt from the visitor’s tax. Therefore, if you are staying in Bad Wörishofen for business reasons and not as a tourist, you normally do not have to pay the visitor’s tax.
Did you know? In Bavaria, a visitor’s tax may only be levied on people staying in the town for spa or recreational purposes . Therefore, overnight stays for professional or educational reasons are usually exempt from the visitor’s tax. Bad Wörishofen is no exception: Currently, business-related overnight stays are the only group of guests who generally do not have to pay the visitor’s tax (children excepted).
Bad Wörishofen Card – Benefits of the guest card
What are the benefits of the guest card? The Bad Wörishofen Card – also simply called the guest card – offers holidaymakers numerous free services and discounts from their very first overnight stay. You will automatically receive this card free of charge from your host at the beginning of your stay, as soon as you have paid the tourist tax. The guest card is personalized and non-transferable , so please always carry it with you to take advantage of the benefits.
The Bad Wörishofen Card offers a range of benefits , including free travel on city buses , free Wi-Fi in the Kurhaus (spa building) , free admission to all spa concerts , free entry to the Sebastian Kneipp Museum , and numerous other discounts . For example, the guest card grants free participation in guided city tours, bike tours, and themed hikes. Participation in health programs such as medical lectures or Kneipp therapy sessions is also sometimes discounted with the card. Many partner businesses in Bad Wörishofen – from the thermal baths and leisure facilities to cafés, shops, and pharmacies – offer discounts or small free gifts upon presentation of the guest card. As a spa guest, you not only travel on the bus for free, but also receive, for example, a €1 discount on a day ticket at the Bad Wörishofen thermal baths , discounted admission to the outdoor pool and ice rink, and discounts of approximately 3–10% on purchases in numerous shops . These benefits add up, making your spa stay more affordable and enjoyable overall.
Tips:
For day visitors: Even if you ‘re not staying overnight in Bad Wörishofen, you don’t have to miss out on the benefits. For day visitors, there’s the Bad Wörishofen day ticket for €5 per day , which allows you to take advantage of all the discounts and free offers on the day of your visit. Just ask at the tourist information office in the Kurhaus (spa building). Even a short day trip to this Kneipp spa town is worthwhile!
Table overview: Tourist tax and guest card
| Short zone / group of people | Tourist tax per night | With guest card |
|---|---|---|
| Spa Zone I (City Center) | €3.60 (adults) | Bad Wörishofen Card included |
| Spa Zone II (districts) | €1.80 (adults) | Bad Wörishofen Card included |
| Children and young people under 16 years of age. | exempt (0 €) | Bad Wörishofen Card included |
| Severe disability 100% | 50% discount (€1.80) | Bad Wörishofen Card included |
| Severe disability 80–90% | 30% discount (€2.52) | Bad Wörishofen Card included |
| Accompanying person “B” in the ID card | same discount as guest | Bad Wörishofen Card included |
| Accompanying person “H”/“Bl” in ID card | exempt (0 €) | Bad Wörishofen Card included |
| Training/Seminar | 50% discount (€1.80) | Bad Wörishofen Card included |
| Business trip (for work) | exempt (0 €) | (no map) |
This is how the Bad Wörishofen Card works – from arrival to your benefits
- Arrival and check-in: You travel to Bad Wörishofen and check into your accommodation. Your host registers you as a guest and collects the visitor’s tax (Kurtaxe) for the duration of your stay.
↓ 2. Receive your guest card: Upon registration and payment of the visitor’s tax, you will receive the Bad Wörishofen Card (guest card) from your host. This card is personalized and valid for your entire stay. ↓ 3. Take advantage of the benefits: You can now use all the services and discounts offered by the guest card: Travel on the bus free of charge, attend events free of charge, and present the card at participating partner businesses to receive discounts. Enjoy your spa vacation with the full range of benefits!
Conclusion
The visitor’s tax in Bad Wörishofen may initially seem like an additional fee, but it directly benefits guests. The town uses this tax to finance a wide range of services that make your stay even more enjoyable – from well-maintained parks to free concerts. Thanks to the Bad Wörishofen guest card, you’ll benefit from numerous free services and discounts right from your first night . In short: the visitor’s tax is a worthwhile investment in your vacation. So, go ahead and plan your next stay in Bad Wörishofen – relaxation with added value awaits you! Take advantage of the guest card and experience for yourself how much it offers. Plan your stay now and secure your benefits!
Sources
- Kneipp spa resort St. Josef – Information on spa tax & Bad Wörishofen Card
- City of Bad Wörishofen – Guest Card & Tourist Tax (official information)
- City of Bad Wörishofen – Spa Guest Registration Office (Spa Tax Declaration)
- Hotel Germania Bad Wörishofen – Prices (Tourist tax as of April 2025)
- Augsburger Allgemeine – Bad Wörishofen increases spa tax (January 2025)
- Tourism Report Bad Wörishofen 2022 – Statistics
