My Guest is Requesting an Invoice, What Do I Need to Do?

If a guest requests an invoice or receipt, you as the host are responsible for providing it. Holidu cannot issue invoices to guests because we are not the legal provider of the accommodation. We only provide commission invoices to you (the host or property manager).

Why Do I Need to Issue an Invoice?

Holidu facilitates payment between the guest and you, the host. We deduct our commission before your payout, but legally you remain the service provider — and therefore responsible for issuing invoices or receipts to your guests.

Important Points:

• Invoices must reflect the full amount paid by the guest
• Only issue invoices after the guest has checked out
• Local tax rules may differ — please check with your tax advisor if unsure

Am I Legally Required to Issue Invoices?

Yes. Hosts are legally required to provide guests with an invoice or receipt for their stay. Holidu only facilitates payment and is not the legal provider of the accommodation, which means you as the host or property manager remain fully responsible for invoicing.

For professional hosts operating with a valid VAT number, issuing an invoice at the end of each stay is mandatory, regardless of whether the guest specifically requests it. This supports compliance with local tax and accounting regulations.

What Is the Guest Invoice Tool?

To make things easier, Holidu provides the Guest Invoice Tool, available in your host account. The tool helps hosts create legally compliant invoices directly through their Holidu account.

Key Features

• Self-service invoice creation: Generate, edit, and issue invoices for each confirmed booking
• Legally compliant: Supports compliance with local and EU tax rules
• Flexible workflow: Start with a draft, review details, and issue when ready
• Extra services: Create additional invoices for add-ons like meals, transfers, or e-bikes

Important: Once an invoice is issued, it cannot be edited or amended. If you're unsure, choose "Save and Close" to keep it as a draft. Once you select "Save and Issue", it becomes final and unchangeable. To correct an error, you must cancel the invoice and issue a new one.

Where to Find the Guest Invoice Tool

There are two ways to access it:

Option 1:

1. Log in to your Holidu account. If you manage multiple properties, select the one associated with the booking
2. Go to the "Financial" tab on the left-hand side
3. Then select Guest Invoices

Option 2:

1. Log in to your Holidu account. If you manage multiple properties, select the one associated with the booking
2. Go to the Booking tab on the left-hand side. Then select the booking you want to create an invoice for
3. Under My Earnings, click Create an invoice for your guests

How to Configure Your Guest Invoice Settings

To make sure your invoices are professional and comply with local tax requirements, you can customize your details and display preferences in the Settings section of your dashboard.

Update Your Host & Business Profile

Make sure your contact and legal information is accurate, as this is used to identify you on the invoice.

• Host Details: Check that your Name, Email, and Company Name are correct
• Address: This is your legal business or primary residence address. Click Edit to update your street name, postal code, and city

Customize Invoice Display Settings

You can control exactly what information your guests see on their invoices by toggling the following options in Invoice settings:

• Show VAT: Toggle this on if you are a registered business and need to display VAT on invoices
• Footer Details: You can choose to show or hide your VAT ID, Personal Tax ID, or IBAN in the footer of the document
• Legal Footer Text: Use the text box to add a custom "Default value" for your legal footer (e.g., a thank-you note or a specific legal disclaimer required by your region)

Step by Step: Create the Invoice

Step 1: Select Booking Details

Choose the relevant booking ID and preferred language (English or German).

Step 2: Add Guest Information

Enter the guest's billing address and VAT ID (if applicable).

Step 3: Review and Customize

The system will display booking details such as dates, property name, and total amount automatically. You can also add a personalized message under the Legal Footer. The message added in the Legal Footer will show on the invoice.

Step 4: Finalize the Invoice

Choose one of the following actions:

• Cancel: Discard the draft
• Save and Close: Keep as a draft for later edits
• Save and Issue: Finalize the invoice. Once issued, it cannot be changed

Step 5: Download and Send

The issued invoice can be downloaded as a PDF and sent manually to your guest.

Automate Your Workflow

Under Automatic invoice number settings, you can choose to:

• Enable Automatic Generation: Toggle this on to have the system automatically assign a unique number to every new invoice, saving you manual record-keeping time

Invoicing for Extras

To invoice for additional services beyond the guest's stay, first create the Invoice for Stay, and then generate a separate Additional Invoice for extras.

Personal Tax ID for German Hosts

For hosts in Germany, the Personal Tax ID (SteuerID/IdNr.) should not be displayed. The correct number to use instead is the Tax Number (Steuernummer).

Here's how to configure the Tax Number (Steuernummer) so all invoices include it:

1. Go to Settings under Invoices in the Guest Invoices Tool
2. Locate the Tax Number (Steuernummer) field
3. Click Edit
4. Manually enter the valid Tax Number (Steuernummer)
5. Save the settings

Once saved, this number will appear by default on the Invoice Form.

Important Reminders

• Always issue invoices for the full amount paid by the guest
• Only issue after check-out
• Holidu's commission is deducted before payout, but must still appear in the total amount
• If a booking is canceled, guests may request a cancellation invoice
• Holidu provides the tool, but you remain the official issuer of all invoices

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Am I legally required to issue invoices?

A: Yes. In most countries, you are. Holidu only collects payment — invoicing is your responsibility.

Q: Can I include extras like food or e-bikes?

A: Yes. Use the "Additional Invoice" option.

Q: What if I make a mistake?

A: You can cancel the invoice and issue a new one. Once issued, it cannot be edited.

Q: When can I issue an invoice?

A: Invoices are available after the guest checks out.

Q: What information must appear on the invoice?

A: The invoice must reflect the full amount paid by the guest, including any Holidu commission that was deducted. Include your business details, the guest's information, booking dates, property name, and the total amount charged.

Q: Can I edit an invoice after issuing it?

A: No. Once you select "Save and Issue", the invoice becomes final and cannot be changed. If you need to make corrections, you must cancel the invoice and create a new one.