Vrbo host fees in 2026: the 12% commission and what you keep

Vrbo is moving hosts and property managers to a 12% commission on October 29, 2026. Until then, hosts connected through property management software pay about 5%, and other hosts pay about 8%, which is a 5% commission plus a 3% payment processing fee. Vrbo says the rate ranges from 12% to 15% depending on region, and each host can find their rate in the Vrbo Dashboard. Hosts on the legacy annual subscription move at the end of their subscription term. The commission applies to the rental amount and the fees you add, such as cleaning, and travelers pay a separate Vrbo service fee on top. Vrbo says the 12% includes payment processing for hosts whose payments it handles, with some regional exceptions.

Vrbo host fees at a glance

The rate follows the booking date. Bookings made before October 29 keep the previous commission, plus the usual processing fee if Vrbo processes the payment, even if the stay is after October 29. Travelers pay a separate Vrbo service fee in every case.

How the 12% commission works

Vrbo says the commission is charged on the nightly rate and on any additional fees you charge the traveler, such as cleaning, pet, and boat fees. Taxes and refundable damage deposits are treated separately from the commission. Bookings that come through Vrbo's expanded distribution partners may carry higher fees, and where VAT applies, it is charged in addition to the commission. For properties in Australia and New Zealand, GST is added to the commission. Hosts using property management software can see different fee treatment, and Vrbo's help page lists a 10% booking fee on reservations made on its sites without going through Vrbo's payment process, so check your booking statements.

Regional rates and payment processing

Vrbo says commission fees can range from 12% to 15% across regions and Vrbo brands, and that regional regulations can affect the charges that apply. Vrbo's help pages name Europe, Australia, and New Zealand as regions where software-connected hosts may pay 12% to 15%. In France, Vrbo operates as Abritel.

On payment processing, Vrbo's FAQ says the 12% includes payment processing fees, and that from October 29 processing fees go away for hosts whose payments Vrbo handles. Vrbo also says some regions are exceptions, and Abritel's French help page still lists a 3% processing fee on taxes and refundable damage deposits. Skift reports that hosts who keep their own merchant of record status pay the 12% commission plus about 3% to a payment processor, while hosts who hand payments to Vrbo pay no processing fee but are paid after guest check-in. Hosts whose existing contract rate is already above 12% are reported to keep it. Check your Vrbo Dashboard or payout summary for the exact charges on each booking.

On a $1,000 booking, which is the rental amount plus the cleaning fee before taxes, the options look like this:

• Before the change, pay-per-booking: about $80 in fees, which is 5% commission plus 3% processing.
• Before the change, software-connected: about $50 in fees, which is the 5% commission.
• 12% all-in: $120 in fees.
• At roughly 15%: $150 in fees, which is a regional rate of 15% or 12% plus about 3% to your own payment processor.

What travelers pay: the Vrbo service fee

The Vrbo service fee is the traveler's fee, and it is separate from your commission. Travelers see it at checkout, and Vrbo says it covers secure payment processing, 24/7 customer support, and guest protections such as VrboCare. Vrbo does not disclose its range. It has been reported at about 11% to 14% of the booking, and Vrbo says it will typically be lower after the change but will price it dynamically based on market conditions. Vrbo sets the fee, not you, and whether it is refunded after a cancellation follows your cancellation policy.

The two fees matter for different reasons. Your commission sets what you keep, and the traveler's fee sets how your total price looks next to other listings. Where Airbnb charges its host-only fee (15.5% for most hosts), the guest sees a single price, while a Vrbo guest sees your rate plus the service fee. Keep both in mind when you compare. Our Airbnb service fee guide covers the other side of that comparison.

What the change means for your prices

To keep the same payout when a fee rises, multiply your current price by one minus your current fee, then divide by one minus the new fee. For example, a host moving from 8% to 12% multiplies by 0.92 and divides by 0.88, which is an increase of about 4.5%. The size of the increase depends on your rate:

• At 12% all-in: a host moving from about 8% needs roughly a 4.5% higher rate, and a host moving from 5% needs roughly 8%.
• At roughly 15%: a host moving from 8% needs roughly 8.2%, and a host moving from 5% needs roughly 11.8%.

Apply the increase to every price component, including the nightly rate and the cleaning and pet fees, because the commission applies to those as well. Existing reservations keep the commission that applied when they were booked, so the change affects new bookings. Change prices in steps, and check them against your market first. PriceLabs Market Dashboards compare your occupancy, ADR, and booking pace with similar listings, and dynamic pricing for Vrbo hosts shows how automation handles rate changes.

Vrbo's updated Host Terms, which also take effect on October 29, add a rate parity obligation. Reports from Skift and others say the terms require your Vrbo rates, fees, and availability to be at least as favorable as on your other channels, including your own website. Skift reported on October 7 that Vrbo plans to revise the clause so hosts can price lower on their own websites, while still requiring parity with other booking sites. The final wording may change, so read the current terms before you set different prices by channel.

The end of the annual subscription

Vrbo is retiring its annual subscription model. It no longer accepts new subscribers, and hosts on the legacy subscription move to the 12% pay-per-booking model when their subscription term ends. The old advice to compare your annual fees against the subscription price no longer applies. If you are on a subscription, work out your effective fee rate under the 12% commission now, so you can adjust your prices before your term ends.

When and how Vrbo pays you

Vrbo collects the traveler's payment and deducts its fees before it pays you, so your payout is always lower than what the guest paid. These timings apply when Vrbo processes the payment. Payouts are typically disbursed one business day after your guest checks in, and depending on your bank, the money should be available five to seven business days later. If you are a new host and your first booking is less than 30 days away, the payout is typically disbursed 30 days after the guest's payment.

To check a payout, open Reservation Manager, then Financial Reporting, then Bank Deposits. Select a deposit to see its disbursement date and details, and use the payout summary report to see your funds after commission and fees.

Setting up payments and taxes

Set up your payout method early, because missing details can delay your first payout. Payout options vary by country, and Vrbo uses a third-party processor to verify your bank information. Vrbo also collects tax information before it releases payouts. U.S. hosts typically complete a W-9, and non-U.S. hosts may be asked for a W-8 series form. Failing to submit the right form can delay payouts or lead to tax withholding, so confirm the requirements for your situation with an accountant.

Ways to protect your earnings

• Price for the fee. Build the commission into every price component, and check your Vrbo Dashboard for the rate that applies to your listings.
• Compare your channels. Look at what you keep on Vrbo and Airbnb, and list on the channels that suit your property.
• Grow direct bookings. Getting more direct bookings lowers your dependence on any single platform's commission. Vrbo's terms also let it charge commission when a traveler searches on Vrbo but books through another channel, and reports describe a 30-day window after a Vrbo inquiry. Read the off-platform booking clause before you steer Vrbo guests to your own site.
• Reduce refunds and cancellations. A clear listing and the right refund and cancellation setup protect revenue you would otherwise lose.
• Watch your payout reports. A regular check of your deposits catches errors and delays early.

Frequently asked questions

What are Vrbo host fees in 2026?

Until October 29, 2026, hosts connected through software pay about 5%, other pay-per-booking hosts pay about 8% (a 5% commission plus a 3% processing fee), and subscription hosts pay an annual fee. From October 29, Vrbo charges a 12% commission, which ranges from 12% to 15% depending on region. Subscription hosts move at the end of their subscription term.

When does Vrbo's 12% commission start?

October 29, 2026. Vrbo announced it on September 29, 2026. Hosts on the annual subscription move to it when their subscription term ends. The rate follows the booking date, so bookings made before October 29 keep the previous commission.

Is the Vrbo commission the same everywhere?

No. Vrbo says commission fees range from 12% to 15% depending on region and Vrbo brand, and its help pages name Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Hosts can find the rate for each listing in the Vrbo Dashboard.

Does the 12% include payment processing?

Yes for hosts whose payments Vrbo processes, according to Vrbo's FAQ, which says processing fees go away from October 29. Some regions are exceptions, and Skift reports that hosts who keep their own payment processing pay about 3% to their processor on top of the 12%. Check your Vrbo Dashboard or payout summary for the charges on each booking.

What is the Vrbo service fee?

It is the fee Vrbo charges travelers at checkout, separate from your commission. It is reported at about 11% to 14%, and Vrbo says it will typically be lower after the change but dynamic. It covers secure payment processing, customer support, and guest protections. Vrbo sets it.

Does the Vrbo commission apply to cleaning fees?

Yes. The commission applies to the rental amount and to additional fees you charge, such as cleaning, pet, and boat fees. It does not apply to taxes or refundable damage deposits.

Is the Vrbo annual subscription still available?

No for new hosts. Vrbo is retiring the subscription, and existing subscribers move to the pay-per-booking commission when their term ends.

When does Vrbo pay hosts?

Payouts are typically disbursed one business day after the guest checks in, and the money is usually available five to seven business days later, depending on your bank. New hosts whose first booking is less than 30 days away typically wait 30 days after the guest's payment.