Airbnb's Age Requirement for Booking
You must be at least 18 years old to book an Airbnb listing. This is Airbnb's global policy — it applies whether you are booking in your home country or traveling abroad. Airbnb verifies your age during account creation and again when you make a reservation, so you cannot bypass this requirement by using someone else's account.
The 18-year minimum exists because Airbnb treats a booking as a legal contract between you and the host. You are agreeing to the terms of service, the house rules, and your financial responsibility for any damage or violations. Only adults can enter into binding contracts in most jurisdictions, which is why the age floor is set there.
Key Takeaways
- You must be 18 or older to create an Airbnb account and make a reservation under your own name.
- Airbnb asks for your date of birth during signup and verifies it again at checkout, so you cannot book under a younger person's details.
- If you are under 18, an adult can book the listing and add you as a guest, but that adult remains responsible for the reservation.
- Some hosts set their own minimum age requirement higher than 18, which you will see in the listing details before you book.
- Airbnb may ask for ID verification at any point, especially for first-time bookers or high-value reservations.
How Airbnb Checks Your Age
When you sign up for Airbnb, you enter your date of birth. The system automatically calculates whether you are 18 or older and blocks account creation if you are not. You will see an error message stating that you must be at least 18 to use the platform.
At checkout — when you are actually booking a specific listing — Airbnb asks you to confirm your age again. This is a separate check from your profile information. If there is a discrepancy or if Airbnb suspects fraud, the platform may request a government-issued ID to verify your identity and birthdate. This can take a few hours to a few days, and your booking will not be confirmed until verification is complete.
Airbnb also flags accounts that look suspicious, such as new accounts booking expensive properties or accounts with mismatched information. In those cases, ID verification becomes mandatory before you can proceed.
What Happens If You Are Under 18
If you are under 18, you cannot create your own Airbnb account or make a reservation. However, an adult — a parent, guardian, or older sibling — can book the listing under their name and include you as a guest. The adult's name will appear on the reservation, and the adult is legally responsible for the booking and any issues that arise.
When the adult books, they will list you as an additional guest during the reservation process. You will not need your own Airbnb account to stay there. However, you should still bring ID to check in, as some hosts ask to see ID for all guests, especially if the reservation is under someone else's name.
The adult who booked the listing is the one who will communicate with the host, handle payment, and be held accountable if house rules are broken or damage occurs. Make sure the adult understands the listing's rules and cancellation policy before booking.
Host Age Requirements That Go Higher Than 18
Some hosts set their own minimum age requirement above 18. You will see this in the listing details under "House Rules" or "About This Space" — look for a line that says something like "Minimum age: 21" or "Guests must be 25 or older." These restrictions are set by individual hosts and vary widely.
Hosts often raise the age requirement because they want to reduce noise complaints, party risk, or damage. A host might require guests to be 25 or older, or they might allow only guests 21 and up. Some hosts have no age restriction beyond Airbnb's 18-year minimum. You can filter listings by age requirement using Airbnb's search filters, or you can contact the host directly to ask if they will make an exception.
If a listing shows an age requirement higher than 18 and you do not meet it, you cannot book that specific property. However, many other listings will have no additional age restriction, so you can search for those instead.
ID Verification and What to Bring
Airbnb may ask for ID verification before your booking is confirmed. This is most common for first-time bookers, large group reservations, or bookings flagged by the system as higher-risk. The ID must be a government-issued document with your photo, name, and date of birth — a driver's license, passport, national ID card, or similar document.
You will upload a photo or scan of your ID through the Airbnb app or website. Airbnb's verification system checks that the name and birthdate match your account information. This process is automated and usually takes a few hours, though it can take up to a few days during busy periods.
Even if Airbnb does not ask for verification online, bring your ID to check in. Hosts often ask to see ID when you arrive, especially if the reservation is under someone else's name or if you are part of a group. Having it ready makes check-in faster and smoother.
Booking as a Group When Ages Vary
If you are traveling with people of different ages — some under 18 and some over — one person who is 18 or older must make the reservation. That person becomes the primary guest and is responsible for the booking. Everyone else, regardless of age, can be listed as additional guests.
When you add guests during booking, Airbnb does not ask for their ages. You straightforward enter their names. However, you should tell the host upfront if you are bringing younger guests, especially if the listing has a minimum age requirement or if the host has house rules about guests under a certain age. Some hosts are fine with families or groups that include minors; others are not. Honesty during the booking process prevents problems at check-in.
What Happens at Check-In
When you arrive at the property, the host will ask for ID from the primary guest — the person whose name is on the reservation. If you are the primary guest and you are 18 or older, your ID will satisfy this requirement. The host may also ask to see ID from other guests, depending on their house rules and local laws.
If the primary guest is not present at check-in, the host may refuse to hand over the keys. Some hosts require the person who booked the listing to be physically present during check-in. If that is not possible, contact the host before your arrival to ask about their check-in policy and whether someone else can check in on your behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I book an Airbnb if I am 17 and will be 18 before my stay?
No. Airbnb checks your age at the time you make the reservation, not at the time you check in. You must be 18 when you book, even if you will be older by the time you arrive. If your birthday is very soon, wait until after it to create your account and book.
What if I do not have a government-issued ID?
You will need one to verify your age if Airbnb asks. If you do not have a driver's license or passport, you can obtain a national ID card or state ID from your local government office. This process takes time, so plan ahead if you are booking a trip soon.
Can my parent book the Airbnb and let me stay there alone?
Technically yes — your parent can book the listing and add you as a guest. However, many hosts have house rules or local laws that prohibit unaccompanied minors from staying alone. Contact the host before booking to ask if they allow it. Some hosts will say no, in which case you will need to cancel or find a different listing.
Do I need to be 18 to be added as a guest on someone else's reservation?
No. Only the primary guest — the person making the reservation — must be 18. Additional guests can be any age. However, the primary guest is responsible for all guests on the reservation.
What if the host asks for ID from me at check-in and I do not have it?
Bring your ID to every check-in. If you arrive without it and the host asks to see it, you may be denied entry. Some hosts are flexible, but many will not hand over keys without ID verification. It is easier to have it with you from the start.