Airbnb Co-Host Fees: How Much Do Co-Hosts Charge in 2026?

How much do Airbnb co-hosts charge?

Airbnb co-host fees typically range from 10% to 30% of booking revenue, depending on the services provided, location, portfolio size, and the co-host's experience level. However, the fee landscape has changed dramatically with the emergence of AI co-hosts, which charge flat monthly rates starting as low as EUR 9/month.

Understanding co-host fee structures is essential for any vacation rental owner considering outside help. The right co-hosting arrangement can save you hundreds of hours per year — but choosing the wrong fee model can eat into your profits.

Co-host fee structures explained

There are three main fee models used by Airbnb co-hosts in 2026:

1. Percentage-based fees

This is the most common fee structure for human co-hosts. The co-host takes a percentage of each booking's revenue (typically calculated on the gross booking amount before Airbnb's service fees).

Typical rates:

• 10-15%: Communication-only co-hosts who handle messages and basic coordination
• 15-20%: Mid-range co-hosts handling communication, check-in/out, and listing management
• 20-30%: Full-service co-hosts managing everything including cleaning, maintenance, and pricing
• 25-40%: Professional property management companies offering end-to-end service

Pros: The co-host's income scales with your success — they're motivated to maximize your bookings. Low risk during slow months since fees decrease with lower revenue.

Cons: During peak season, you pay significantly more. A property earning EUR 5,000/month at 20% means EUR 1,000 going to the co-host — potentially more than the service is worth during high-demand periods when bookings require minimal effort.

2. Flat-rate fees

Some co-hosts charge a fixed monthly fee regardless of booking volume. This model is more common with AI co-host platforms and some individual co-hosts who handle specific tasks.

Typical rates:

• EUR 5-15/month per property: AI co-host platforms (communication only)
• EUR 100-300/month per property: Individual co-hosts handling communication + coordination
• EUR 300-800/month per property: Full-service co-hosts with flat-rate agreements

Pros: Predictable costs. You keep more revenue during peak seasons. Easy to budget and calculate ROI.

Cons: You pay the same amount during slow months when bookings are low. Fixed costs can feel expensive if occupancy drops significantly.

3. Hybrid fee models

Some co-hosts combine a small base fee with a reduced percentage. For example: EUR 100/month base + 10% of booking revenue. This balances predictability with performance incentives.

Typical rates:

• EUR 50-150 base + 5-10% of revenue: Common hybrid structure
• Tiered percentage: Lower percentage on first EUR 2,000, higher on revenue above that threshold

Pros: Balanced risk. The co-host has guaranteed income, and the host benefits from lower percentage rates.

Cons: More complex to track and calculate. Less common, so fewer co-hosts offer this model.

What affects co-host pricing?

Several factors influence how much a co-host charges:

Location

Co-hosts in high-demand tourist destinations (Barcelona, Paris, Miami) typically charge higher rates because properties generate more revenue and require more intensive guest management. Rural or low-demand markets may see lower co-hosting fees.

Scope of services

The more tasks you delegate, the higher the fee. A co-host who only handles messaging will charge far less than one who manages communication, cleaning coordination, pricing, maintenance, and guest check-ins.

Number of properties

Volume discounts are common. A co-host managing 10+ properties for one owner will typically offer a lower per-property rate than for a single listing. This applies to both human co-hosts and AI platforms.

Property type and complexity

Luxury properties, large villas, or properties with complex amenities (pools, hot tubs, smart home systems) require more management attention and typically incur higher fees.

Seasonality

Some co-hosts adjust their fees seasonally, charging higher rates during peak tourist season when management demands increase. Others keep rates fixed year-round.

Experience level

Airbnb Superhosts with years of co-hosting experience and proven track records can command premium rates. Newer co-hosts often start with lower fees to build their portfolio.

Co-host fees on Airbnb's Co-Host Network

Airbnb's official Co-Host Network, launched in 2024, provides some transparency around market rates. Co-hosts on the network typically charge:

• Communication + basic management: 10-15%
• Full-service management: 15-25%
• Premium/luxury management: 20-30%

Airbnb handles the payout split automatically, which simplifies the payment process but doesn't reduce the fee itself. The network does create competitive pressure that helps keep fees somewhat standardized within each market.

AI co-host pricing: a game-changing alternative

The most significant development in co-host pricing has been the emergence of AI co-host platforms. These tools handle guest communication — the most time-consuming task — at a fraction of the cost of human co-hosts.

How AI co-host pricing works

AI co-hosts like Nowistay charge flat monthly fees per property:

• Welcome Guide only: EUR 10/year per property (EUR 0.83/month)
• AI Co-Host + Welcome Guide: EUR 90/year per property (EUR 9/month billed annually)
• Volume discounts available for 5+ properties
• Free trial with no credit card required

These fees include 24/7 automated guest communication in 90+ languages, emergency detection and alerts, and a customizable digital welcome guide with upselling features.

Cost comparison: human vs AI co-host

Let's compare the real costs for a property generating EUR 3,000/month in booking revenue:

Human co-host at 20%

• Monthly fee: EUR 600
• Annual cost: EUR 7,200
• Coverage: Limited to co-host's working hours and availability
• Languages: 1-3 languages typically
• Response time: Minutes to hours (varies)

AI co-host (Nowistay)

• Monthly fee: EUR 9 (billed annually at EUR 90/year)
• Annual cost: EUR 90
• Coverage: 24/7/365, no exceptions
• Languages: 90+ languages
• Response time: Under 3 minutes consistently

Annual savings: EUR 7,110 — that's a 98.75% cost reduction on the communication aspect of co-hosting.

For a host with 10 properties averaging EUR 3,000/month each, the difference is even more striking:

• Human co-host: EUR 72,000/year
• AI co-host: EUR 900/year
• Savings: EUR 71,100/year

When is a higher co-host fee worth it?

While AI co-hosts offer massive savings on communication, there are scenarios where paying more for a human co-host makes sense:

You need physical property management

If you need someone to handle key exchanges, inspect the property between guests, coordinate with cleaners in person, or manage emergency repairs, a local human co-host is essential. No AI can physically be at your property.

You own luxury properties

High-end guests often expect personalized, concierge-level service that goes beyond messaging. A premium co-host who provides in-person welcome experiences, curated local recommendations, and white-glove service may justify a 25-30% fee.

You're completely hands-off

If you want zero involvement in your property, a full-service co-host (or property manager) who handles everything from pricing to maintenance to cleaning is worth the higher fee. Just be aware that 25-40% significantly reduces your net income.

The hybrid approach: best value for most hosts

The smartest hosts in 2026 are combining AI and human co-hosting to get the best of both worlds at an optimal price point:

• AI co-host (EUR 9/month): Handles all guest communication 24/7, in every language, with instant response times
• Local helper (EUR 100-200/month or per-task pricing): Handles physical tasks like cleaning oversight, key management, and emergency visits

Total monthly cost: EUR 110-210 vs EUR 600+ for a full-service human co-host at 20%. That's a 65-82% savings while maintaining the same (or better) level of service.

How to negotiate co-host fees

If you're hiring a human co-host, here are tips for negotiating a fair rate:

Offer multiple properties

Volume is your best negotiating leverage. A co-host managing 5 of your properties is more likely to accept a lower per-property rate than for a single listing.

Start with a trial period

Propose a 2-3 month trial at a slightly lower rate. This lets both parties evaluate the partnership before committing to a long-term arrangement.

Unbundle services

Instead of a blanket 20% for everything, negotiate task-based pricing. You might pay 10% for communication and check-in coordination, then handle pricing and listing management yourself.

Use AI for communication, human for the rest

This is the strongest negotiating position. If you've already automated guest messaging with an AI co-host, a human co-host's scope of work is reduced — justifying a lower fee for the remaining physical tasks.

Hidden costs to watch for

Beyond the headline fee, watch for these additional costs:

• Cleaning coordination markups: Some co-hosts add a margin on cleaning services
• Emergency call-out fees: After-hours property visits may incur extra charges
• Setup or onboarding fees: One-time charges for listing optimization and initial setup
• Technology platform fees: If the co-host uses paid tools and passes the cost through to you
• Minimum monthly fees: Some co-hosts guarantee a minimum payment regardless of bookings

Bottom line: what should you pay?

In 2026, the most cost-effective co-hosting setup for most vacation rental hosts is:

1. Use an AI co-host like Nowistay (EUR 9/month per property) for guest communication — the task that takes the most time and has the biggest impact on reviews and bookings
2. Handle listing management yourself (pricing, photos, descriptions) — or use automated pricing tools
3. Hire a local helper for physical tasks only if needed — on a per-task or flat monthly basis

This approach keeps your co-hosting costs under EUR 200/month per property while maintaining 24/7 guest communication, fast response times, and professional service quality. Compared to the traditional 20-25% fee model, most hosts save thousands of euros per year — money that goes directly back into growing their business.