- Germany reported 32,500 registered prostitutes by the end of 2025, a 0.7% increase from the previous year, Destatis said.
- The number of registered prostitutes remains below pre-pandemic levels, with 40,400 recorded in 2019, according to Destatis.
- Romanian nationals accounted for 35% of registered prostitutes, making them the largest foreign group, Destatis reported.
WIESBADEN, Germany — The number of registered prostitutes in Germany, where prostitution is legal if taxes are paid, increased slightly by the end of 2025. Authorities recorded approximately 32,500 individuals registered under the Prostitute Protection Act (ProstSchG).
Germany’s Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) said in an emailed press release today that this figure represents a 0.7% rise from 32,300 in 2024. Despite this increase, the total remains significantly lower than the 40,400 registered prostitutes reported at the end of 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Business Licenses Stable
The number of licenses for prostitution businesses remained largely unchanged. Destatis reported around 2,260 licensed businesses by the end of 2025, a 0.1% increase from the previous year. This figure is higher than the 2,170 licenses issued in 2019.
Most licensed businesses, 93%, were prostitution establishments such as brothels. Prostitution agencies accounted for 5% of licenses, while prostitution vehicles and events together made up 2%.
Demographics and Nationalities
Of the registered prostitutes, 74% (23,900 individuals) were between 21 and 44 years old. Another 24% (7,600) were 45 years or older, and 3% (900) were aged 18 to 20.
German nationals comprised 18% (5,700) of the registered prostitutes. The largest foreign nationality group was Romanian, accounting for 35% (11,300 individuals). Bulgarian nationals represented 11% (3,500), and Spanish nationals made up 9% (2,900).
Data Collection
Destatis noted that the statistics are based on registrations and licenses under the ProstSchG. The data does not include unregistered prostitutes or unlicensed businesses. The gender of registered prostitutes is not collected under the act.