Framework Conditions and House rules

General Terms and Conditions for the Use of Youth Hostels

Youth hostels belonging to the German Youth Hostel Association (hereinafter referred to as “Youth Hostels”) are establishments of the regional associations of the German Youth Hostel Association (Deutsches Jugendherbergswerk, hereinafter referred to as “DJH”) or establishments of other carriers associated with the DJH. They are primarily an offer aimed at young people and families.

  • 1. Membership
    In order to be offered accommodation in a Youth Hostel, you have to be a member of the DJH or of another association of the International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF). Guests must provide proof of such membership before being given accommodation at the Youth Hostel. Children and youth groups must be accompanied by at least one person responsible for their supervision.
  • 2. Membership of Persons
    • 2.1. DJH membership cards can be obtained by all persons with a permanent residence in the Federal Republic of Germany at all DJH membership card issuing offices (including at Youth Hostels and offices of the DJH Regional Associations).
    • 2.2. Individual guests up to the age of 26 are given the Junior Card.
      Individual guests over the age of 26 and families can obtain the “Family / 27 plus" (FAM/27+) membership card.
      Unmarried couples are treated the same as families, provided they live in the same household.
      Adult children up to the age of 26 can retain the family membership of their parents as long as they are single and do not require their own family membership.
      A separate membership card can be issued to each member of the family. Adult children have to have their own membership cards.
    • 2.3. Foreign guests who are not members of an IYHF-affiliated association can obtain the “International Guest Card” or a “Welcome Stamp” for every night directly at the Youth Hostel
  • 3. Membership of Organizations
    • 3.1. Schools, youth groups, clubs, associations, foundations, firms, corporations, and other organizations acquire corporate membership and receive group membership cards in return. Accommodation is subject to the provisions of the bylaws of the German Youth Hostel Association – Central Association for Youth Hiking and Youth Hostels and the DJH Regional Associations.
    • 3.2. Using the group membership card, the group leader can stay overnight in a Youth Hostel with a group. The group membership card does not replace individual membership. The card is not transferable to other institutions or persons.
    • 3.3. A group consists of at least four members including the group leader(s). Group leaders must be at least 16 years of age.
    • 3.4. Group membership cards are not issued to travel agencies or other businesses that organize trips on a commercial basis. Where reservations are made through an agent, the travelling group requires its own membership.
  • 4. Stay
    • 4.1. Accommodation of guests and their stay at the Youth Hostel is governed by the terms and conditions of use of the relevant Youth Hostel.
    • 4.2. The terms and conditions of use which are prepared by the carrier of the relevant Youth Hostel are materially consistent with the Model Terms and Conditions issued by the German Youth Hostel Association – Central Association for Youth Hiking and Youth Hostels. In some cases, the terms and conditions of use of the carrier of the relevant Youth Hostel may differ from the Model Terms and Conditions for factual reasons.
    • 4.3. In order to keep the Model Terms and Conditions updated, the carriers of the Youth Hostels shall immediately notify the German Youth Hostel Association – Central Association for Youth Hiking and Youth Hostels of any changes in their current terms and conditions of use and of any objections by guests against the legality of such terms and conditions.

Youth Hostel Rules

The German Youth Hostel Association (DJH) hopes that a stay in our youth hostels will be an enjoyable experience for all our visitors. The hostels offer for many guests not just the surroundings and opportunities for meeting one another, but also bring together people of very different ages and cultural backgrounds, all with their own particular needs and ways of behaving and organising their day. That is why all youth hostels have house rules to help in providing the right framework for a comfortable stay. So please remember that the rules set out here are for the benefit of all our guests. Group leaders and teachers bear the responsibility for their groups.

Arrival

Visitors with reservations can arrange their arrival time individually with the hostel management. If no other arrangements have been made, promised beds will be kept for you until 6 p.m. If they have not been claimed by then, they may be given to other visitors.

Visitors without reservations can enquire by telephone or in the youth hostel to find out if there is room for them in the hostel.

Youth hostel services are provided for members of the DJH or member associations of the International Youth Hostel Federation only. Foreign visitors without membership are required to buy the International Guest Card.

Staying in a Youth Hostel

The guests are accommodated in shared bedrooms and usually separated by gender. Families can get a family room, if it is available.

The DJH depends on a helping hand from our visitors. We need your assistance with jobs such as cleaning and tidying up the equipment, rooms and objects you have used during your stay, or setting and clearing tables.

The youth hostels are committed to environmental protection and nature conservation. Visitors are therefore requested to collect waste separately or avoid waste and to be economical in their use of electricity, heating and water.

Food may not be prepared or eaten in bedrooms. Because of fire protection, insurance and health reasons the use of electrical devices for the preparation of food and hot drinks is not allowed.

With exception for designated sockets, it is not allowed to charge rechargeable batteries within the youth hostel.

Smoking is not allowed in the youth hostel.

Visitors are not allowed to bring in or consume alcoholic drinks in the hostel or on the hostel grounds. Intoxicated guests can be expelled from the house.

Animals may not be brought into youth hostels. An exception can be made for guide and service dogs by arrangement with the hostel management. Further exceptions may allow dogs in designated hostels.

Youth hostels are generally open until 10 p.m.

The quiet time for sleeping is from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Out of courtesy to other guests, please be very quiet if you come in late or leave early.

Please be considerate towards other visitors, especially when using electronic media.

Departure

Bedrooms must be vacated before 10 a.m. By arrangement with the hostel management exceptions are possible.

Management rights

The hostel management or its authorized representative is the agent of the responsible organisation. The management reserves the right to refuse entry to any person violating the hostel rules and will give reasons for such action.

These hostel rules were adopted by the General Assembly on November 18th, 2017 in Berlin.

Note

We would like to refer to the EU platform on online out-of-court dispute resolution, which can be found under the following link: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/. Our DJH Service Center will be happy to assist you with initial questions on dispute resolution. Beyond this we do not participate in voluntary dispute resolution procedures before a consumer arbitration board.