The current bylaw (effective 1 January 2025) charges EUR 3.50 per person per day/night, including statutory VAT. The charge is based on length of stay; arrival and departure days count as one day. It applies to paid overnight guests without a main or secondary residence in the assessment area, including camping and motorhome pitches, regardless of whether tourist facilities are actually used. A portion funds the Harz Holiday Ticket (HATIX).
Exemptions include people staying solely for work or vocational training; children under 6; persons with a 100% severe disability and a required accompanying person; the third and each additional child in a household with several children under 18; military or federal voluntary service personnel during duty-related stationing and people doing a voluntary social or ecological year in the area; and bedridden or otherwise health-limited people unable to use tourist facilities. A 50% reduction applies to people with a severe disability of at least 50%, children aged 6 through 17, and participants in events recognized by Wernigerode Tourism GmbH (application at least 14 days before travel). Day visitors pay no visitor tax.
The bylaw covers paid short-term accommodation, including campsites and motorhome pitches. Every commercial or private host must notify Wernigerode Tourism GmbH, collect the visitor tax, transfer it (commercial hosts by the 15th of the following month; private hosts by the 15th calendar day after quarter-end), submit guest data digitally through the designated visitor-tax accounting system, provide information on guest numbers, stays and liability on request, permit inspection of accommodation records, and make the bylaw accessible to guests. The official current bylaw does not specify a registration-number, Wohnraumschutz or Zweckentfremdungsverbot requirement.