A brothel is basically a place where sex workers offer services in a controlled setting, usually with some level of regulation (either officially or unofficially). Depending on the country, it could be a small, low-key venue or a full-on legal business with rules, health checks, and security.
Brothels are legal and regulated in several European countries, providing sex workers with a safer, controlled environment compared to the often dangerous underground scene in places where the industry is banned.
Legalization comes with protections — regular health checks, workers’ rights, and safer working conditions — but the specifics vary widely by country.
That said, not every nation is on board.
Some fully embrace regulated brothels, while others take a hardline stance, outlawing them entirely or operating in a legal gray area.
Each of our city guides breaks down the local laws in detail, but below, we’ve highlighted some of the most notable implications:
Legal Status by Country
Yes, Europe is famously divided on many issues… and that includes the legal status of brothels.
Below is a summary of the key legal frameworks across major European countries:
- Germany – At the liberal end of the scale, we have Germany’s “Fuck It” approach to sex work. One of the most permissive countries for the oldest trade in the world, Germany legalized prostitution and brothels in 2002. The Germans have large, well-known brothels, such as Pascha in Cologne and Artemis in Berlin, where sex workers operate legally in huge spa-like facilities.
- Netherlands – While famous for Amsterdam’s Red Light District, Dutch brothels actually operate under strict licensing laws (and the trend is leaning stricter in recent years). Whatever the case, you can still find dozens of fully legal brothels across the major cities.
- Switzerland – Prostitution is legal and regulated, with Zurich and Geneva stacked to the eyeballs with fancy well-marketed bordellos. Some locations offer all-inclusive experiences similar to the FKK clubs found in Germany.
- Austria – Legal and regulated, with Vienna and Salzburg having numerous licensed brothels that are generally much more stable than those in ‘grey area’ cities.
- Spain – Prostitution is decriminalized, and you’ll find many large brothel-like establishments, often operating as “sex clubs,” exist, particularly in Catalonia and near the French border.
- Belgium – Similar to the neighbouring Netherlands, Belgium has licensed, easy-to-find brothels and Red Light Districts in cities like Antwerp and Brussels. Gotta give those politicians a way to pass the time, right? 😉
- France – Brothels have been banned since 1946, but prostitution itself is not illegal. Many bordellos function in a legal gray area, and they are generally much harder to find (and harder for us to keep track of).
- United Kingdom – Brothels are illegal in the UK. They do exist, but they are often connected to underground crime. We can’t publish any of the known locations on this site.
- Sweden & Norway – These countries follow the Nordic model, where buying sex is illegal, but selling it is not. Brothels do not operate legally here. Incidentally, the same can’t be said for Denmark, where brothels flourish in cities like Copenhagen, even drawing in visitors from the neighbouring countries. They call it the ‘Amsterdam of Scandinavia‘ for a reason!
- Eastern Europe (Poland, Romania, Hungary, etc.) – Laws vary widely, but many countries still maintain bans on brothels while tolerating other forms of prostitution. Refer to our individual country and city guides for the latest brothel laws.
Types of Brothels in Europe
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to brothels in Europe.
Depending on the country (and sometimes even the city), brothels can take on very different forms, from small-scale operations to massive, highly organized establishments with millions of Euros thrown at the marketing.
Here’s a look at some of the most common types you’ll find across the continent:
Traditional Walk-In Brothels
The traditional setup: a venue specifically for sex work (legal or otherwise) where clients visit, choose a worker, and everything happens on-site.
Traditional walk-in brothels have a deep history in Europe, with origins stretching back to antiquity. The earliest recorded venues dedicated to commercial sex work date back to ancient Greece and Rome, where state-sanctioned brothels (called lupanaria in Rome) were common.
The walk-in brothel is still the most common type, both here in Europe and throughout the rest of the world.
Laufhaus
Found mainly in Germany and Austria, a Laufhaus (“walk-in house”) consists of a multi-story building where clients can browse and choose sex workers by walking through hallways lined with private rooms.
Each worker rents their own room and sets their own prices, making for a slightly more unpredictable ‘marketplace’ experience for the punters. Clients enter, walk through the halls, and negotiate directly with the worker of their choice before heading inside to do the deed.
From the many cities we’ve covered, Laufhäuser are most commonly found in places like Vienna and Hamburg. Some of the most well-known Laufhäuser, like those in Hamburg’s St. Pauli district or Vienna’s Gürtel area, have become semi-legendary within European sex work culture.
FKK Clubs
FKK Clubs (short for Freikörperkultur, or “Free Body Culture”) are a uniquely German-style brothel that blends sex work with a spa-like, social environment, often in a ‘mega brothel’ setting, considerably larger than any of the other type son this list.
Originating from Germany’s deep-rooted naturist movement, these venues emphasize nudity and relaxation, not just getting your end away.
They also work on a different model where payment is taken before you’ve even agreed to full-service. Punters typically pay an entrance fee—often between €50-100—which grants access to the club’s often-lavish amenities (think: pools, saunas, hot tubs, and buffet-style dining).
Inside, escorts, who are also nude or semi-nude, freely mingle with the guests. Rather than selecting a worker upfront like in a traditional brothel, clients will chat freely and continue to ‘mingle’ before finally negotiating with their worker of choice.
FKK Clubs are most common in Germany (see our list here), Austria (or here), and Switzerland, with some of the most famous establishments—like the infamous Oase, Artemis, and Pascha—smashing it out of the park with truly resort-like experiences.
Termas
Originating in Brazil, the termas model of brothel is a unique blend of spa, nightclub, and sex work, all wrapped up in one inclusive package. While it’s more common in South America, the concept has found a foothold in some parts of Europe, particularly in Spain and Portugal.
A terma offers a social, almost club-like environment. Punters pay a set entrance fee to access the various amenities, such as saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms, and bars.
Much like an FKK Club (see above), but with a distinctly southern Europe laid-back vibe.
Parlour Brothels & Massage Houses
In cities where outright brothel operations are legally restricted but tolerated, sex work often operates under the guise of erotic massage parlours, saunas, or “private clubs”.
These venues function much the same as traditional brothels but typically use euphemisms like “erotic massage” or “full-service relaxation.”
Punters typically pay one fee for the massage, and another for the ‘extras’ after.
Major cities like London, Madrid, and Barcelona have a huge number of parlour-style brothels, many of which are unlicensed but openly advertised on sites like Locanto, Craigslight and even the classifieds of local newspapers. Or the classic scribble on a pub toilet wall!
Window Brothels
Finally, we have one of the most regionalised phenomenons…
Window brothels are most commonly associated to De Wallen in Amsterdam, the most famous red-light district in the world, known for its street hookers. Here hundreds of windows line the canals, drawing in hordes of tourists and sex-seekers alike.
Instead of walking through hallways or mingling in lounges, the punters browse lingerie-clad sex workers displayed behind glass windows in full public view.
It’s an experience that is equal parts transactional and voyeuristic, appealing to both “John the Punter” and “John the Tourist”.
We have a separate guide on The Window Girls of Amsterdam. Check that if you’re interested in window shopping. 😜