News & Stories

Berlin. Germany has finally passed its Whistleblower Protection Act, implementing an EU directive more than three years late. Larger companies must act immediately, smaller ones still have some grace period. It will come into force on 2 July 2023.

Munich. Bavarian citizens can apply for repayment of fines for certain violations of the Bavarian Corona curfew in spring 2020. The Federal Administrative Court has now ordered the state government to do so.

Karlsruhe. The German Federal Court of Justice ruled that the claimant was entitled to make claims under her business closure insurance policy during corona - but only for the "second lockdown" and not the first.

Luxemburg. Travellers whose package tour has been affected by measures to combat the Covid 19 pandemic may be entitled to a reduction in the price of their trip, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled on 12 January 2023. The CJEU thus strengthens consumers and holds tour operators such as FTI or TUI liable – even if they themselves did not cause the restrictions.

Berlin. The descendants of the company founder Lorenz Adlon went all out once again and wanted the Berlin grand hotel and property back. At the heart of the dispute is the family's role in National Socialism and the legality of the expropriation of the luxury house. But above all, it is once again about a lot of money. The court dismissed the lawsuit on the same day.

Berlin. A whistleblower reporting office will be mandatory in German companies from 2023. This applies not only to corporations, but also to companies with 50 or more employees. Germany is thus implementing an EU directive with a three-year delay.

Brussels. The European Commission wants to tighten the legal framework for short-term rentals at the end of 2022. Hosts will be required to register and authorities will require platforms to share data.

Cologne. In order to provide support through the Corona pandemic, the VAT rate on F&B was reduced to 7%. This rate will continue to apply in Germany until the end of 2022. At the end of this period, VAT may then return to the full 19% rate. A recent ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union now sparks hope.

Berlin. In Germany, three cities have sued against the bed tax levied on private travel and lost the case. Now, hoteliers and hotel associations fear an extension of the tax to other cities and to business trips. In Bavaria, they still feel safe from this.

Karlsruhe. Yesterday's ruling by the German Federal Court of Justice is certainly causing resentment in the Corona-hit hospitality industry: establishments affected by lockdowns and closures are not entitled to compensation for lost revenue. "However, this does not change the Federal Constitutional Court's finding on the equal distribution of Corona aid," Dirk Iserlohe, Honestis AG/Dorint Hotels, comments on the decision this morning, once again drawing attention to the other big construction site for hotel groups.