Airbnb Services is the newer part of the app, alongside Homes and Experiences, where you book a private chef, a photographer, a massage or spa treatment, a personal trainer, hair and makeup, and similar professional services, sometimes delivered at an Airbnb stay and sometimes standalone. If you already do one of these professionally, listing on Airbnb Services is a way to reach guests actively looking for it. This guide covers the eligibility bar and how to apply. For renting out space instead, see our Airbnb host guide, and for hosting an activity, see our Airbnb Experiences guide.
What actually counts as an Airbnb Service
Airbnb introduced Services as a category alongside Homes and Experiences, confirmed on its own Resource Center: private chefs, photographers, massage and spa treatments, personal training, hair and makeup, and similar professional categories. Some are delivered at a guest’s Airbnb stay, others can be booked independently of one.
Do you actually qualify?
Airbnb’s standards for Services, confirmed on its Help Center, require:
- At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in the trade.
- A genuinely strong reputation, real guest feedback and reviews that back it up.
- Whatever licences, insurance or certifications the specific trade needs to operate legally and safely.
- Identity verification and, where applicable, a background check, the same as Homes and Experiences.
Listings need at least 5 photos (15 specifically for photographers), a clear title and description, and at least one offering listed, though Airbnb recommends three. Co-hosts or staff you bring in need to meet the same standards you do.
What Airbnb takes from a Services booking
Airbnb has published a flat 20% host service fee for Experiences (see our Experience host guide), but hasn’t published an equally explicit flat percentage specifically for Services in the same help article. Treat your own listing dashboard, shown once your application is approved, as the source of truth for the exact fee that applies to your category, and price accordingly rather than assuming it matches Experiences exactly.
How to apply to host an Airbnb Service
- Confirm your 2 years of experience and reputation.
Have references or reviews ready if you can.
- Check what licence or insurance your trade needs.
This varies a lot by category, food hygiene for a chef, insurance for massage or spa work, and so on.
- Put together a real portfolio.
At least 5 photos (15 if you’re a photographer), showing your actual work.
- List at least one offering.
Airbnb recommends three, but one is the minimum to publish.
- Submit your application and wait for review.
Your listing goes live once it’s checked against Airbnb’s standards.
Is listing on Airbnb Services worth it?
Pros
- Reaches guests already looking for exactly this kind of professional help.
- No property involved, just your existing trade and equipment.
- You set your own price and availability.
Cons
- A real 2-year experience and reputation bar to clear.
- You need your own licensing and insurance sorted first.
- Airbnb hasn’t published one clear flat fee percentage for Services the way it has for Experiences, so check your own dashboard.
- Application review takes time before you can go live.