Airbnb's minimum age requirement is 18 years old

You must be at least 18 years old to create an Airbnb account and book a listing. This is Airbnb's global policy — it applies whether you are booking in your home country or abroad. Your age is verified when you sign up, and Airbnb checks your government-issued ID during the booking process.

If you are under 18, you cannot complete a reservation on your own. Some hosts may accept bookings from younger guests if a parent or guardian is present and listed as the primary account holder, but this depends entirely on the individual host's house rules. The account itself must belong to someone 18 or older.

Key Takeaways

  • Airbnb requires the person creating the account and making the booking to be at least 18 years old.
  • Your age is verified through government-issued ID during the booking process, so you cannot bypass this requirement.
  • If you are under 18, a parent or guardian can book on your behalf using their own account, but the host must agree to allow younger guests.
  • Some hosts set their own age restrictions that are stricter than Airbnb's minimum, so check the listing details before booking.
  • Airbnb may ask for additional ID verification if your account looks unusual or if you are booking a high-value property.

Why Airbnb enforces an 18-year-old minimum

The 18-year age requirement exists because Airbnb is a contract between you and the host. At 18, you are legally an adult in most countries and can sign a binding agreement. Younger guests cannot enter into a rental contract on their own, which is why the account holder must be of age.

This rule also protects hosts. Airbnb's cancellation policies, damage liability, and guest review system all assume the person booking is legally responsible for their actions. If something goes wrong — a guest damages the property, violates house rules, or cancels last-minute — the host needs to be able to hold someone legally accountable.

What happens if you are under 18 and want to book

If you are under 18, your parent or guardian can create an Airbnb account and make the booking in their name. They become the primary guest and are responsible for the reservation, the payment, and any damage or rule violations. You can stay at the property, but the account and the legal responsibility belong to the adult.

Before booking, contact the host directly through Airbnb's messaging system and tell them that a younger guest will be staying. Some hosts welcome this arrangement; others do not. Hosts can set their own rules and may decline bookings if they prefer guests to be a certain age. Getting permission in advance prevents cancellations or disputes when you arrive.

How Airbnb verifies your age

When you create an account, Airbnb asks for your date of birth. When you make your first booking, you must upload a photo of a government-issued ID — a passport, driver's license, or national ID card. Airbnb's system checks that the ID matches your account information and that you are at least 18.

If your ID looks unclear, expired, or does not match your account details, Airbnb may ask you to resubmit it. For high-value bookings or properties in certain locations, Airbnb may request additional verification. This process usually takes a few hours to a few days, so plan ahead if you are booking soon.

Host-specific age rules that go beyond Airbnb's minimum

Individual hosts can set their own age restrictions that are stricter than Airbnb's 18-year minimum. Some hosts may require guests to be 21 or older, especially for properties in party-heavy neighborhoods or listings that attract younger crowds. These rules appear in the listing details under "House Rules" or "About Your Host."

When you search for listings, you can filter by house rules, but age restrictions are not always listed as a searchable filter. Read the full listing description and house rules before you book. If you are unsure whether the host will accept your age, send them a message first — it takes two minutes and prevents a rejected booking.

Age verification for group bookings

If you are booking for a group, only the primary account holder needs to be 18 or older. The other guests can be younger, but again, the host must agree. When you add guests to your booking, Airbnb does not verify their ages — only the person whose name is on the reservation is checked against government ID.

This means a parent can book a property for a family trip, or a 21-year-old can book for a group of younger friends, as long as the host has agreed to host younger guests. Be honest about who will be staying and how many people. Hosts can cancel if they discover you misrepresented the guest list.

What to do if your booking is rejected for age reasons

If a host declines your booking because of your age, you cannot appeal that decision to Airbnb. Hosts have the right to set their own guest requirements. Your options are to find a different listing with a host who accepts your age, or to have a parent or guardian book on your behalf.

If you believe a host has rejected you for an illegal reason — such as discrimination based on race, religion, or national origin — you can report it to Airbnb through the Resolution Center. Age-based rejection is legal and not considered discrimination, but other reasons for rejection may violate Airbnb's policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book an Airbnb if I am 17 and turning 18 before my stay?

No. You must be 18 when you create the account and make the booking, not when you check in. If you turn 18 before your reservation date, you can create a new account and rebook the property if it is still available.

What if my ID is expired but I am still 18?

Airbnb may still accept an expired ID as long as it is readable and shows your date of birth clearly. However, some hosts or properties may have stricter requirements. If your ID is rejected, you can try uploading it again or contact Airbnb support to ask whether an expired ID is acceptable for your booking.

Do I need to show my ID in person when I check in?

Airbnb does not require in-person ID verification at check-in. Your ID is verified online during the booking process. However, some hosts may ask to see your ID when you arrive as part of their house rules. Check the listing details to see if the host mentions this.

Can my parents book the Airbnb and let me stay alone?

Technically, yes — your parent can book the property. However, many hosts set house rules that require the primary guest (the person whose name is on the reservation) to be present during the stay. Before booking, contact the host and ask whether they allow the primary guest to be absent. Some will say no.

What happens if I lie about my age on my Airbnb account?

If Airbnb discovers that you lied about your age, your account can be permanently banned. When you upload your ID, the system compares it to the birth date you entered. Mismatches trigger a review, and repeated dishonesty can result in losing access to Airbnb entirely.