Erotic massage is a sensual experience that blends traditional relaxation techniques with arousal-focused touch. Unlike therapeutic massage, it typically involves skin-to-skin contact, a young-and-beautiful masseuse, and sometimes manual release (Happy Ending).
However, it does not always include intercourse… and it’s always wise to research this before entering a massage shop!
In Europe, erotic massage is widely available, particularly in countries with more relaxed laws on adult services. Even in countries that ban sexual services, erotic body rubs are still commonplace (if you know where to look).
How Big Is Europe’s Adult Massage Industry?
It’s hard to quantify just how big the industry is, as many massage shops operate under spa or wellness licenses (while offering clandestine erotic services ‘off the grid’).
Europe’s adult entertainment industry is valued at around €16.7 billion per year, with 15-20% of that market driven by ‘physical services’, including erotic massage.
A brief analysis from the concrete data we have available…
In Germany, there were 3200 legally registered brothels as of 2023, with 12-15% of these venues classified as massage studios.
Berlin alone hosts over 500 establishments providing erotic massage, concentrated in districts like Charlottenburg and Neukölln. Prices range from €80–€150/hour, suggesting annual revenues exceeding €200 million citywide based on conservative visit estimates.
Amsterdam’s De Wallen (the famed Red Light District) includes 120 window brothels and 30+ massage parlours advertising sensual services. Municipal health inspectors regulate these venues, requiring STD testing and business licenses.
However, the city’s 2024 Economic Report clusters all sex work revenues under a single €650 million estimate, so it’s difficult to get an accurate picture of what exactly is generated by massage parlours.
Needless to say: a lot.
Despite prostitution laws criminalizing street solicitation, the UK’s Home Office estimates 3,000–5,000 unlicensed massage parlours operate nationally.
London’s Metropolitan Police conducted 240 raids in 2024, seizing records indicating average weekly earnings of £15,000–£20,000 per establishment.
At our best guess, using the very limited data we have available, Europe’s erotic massage parlour industry likely generates between €1.5–€4 billion annually.
For specific details on the erotic massage industry in each of Europe’s major hubs, see our collection of 60+ city guides.
Sexual Terms In Massage Shop (And What They Mean)
So what are the services that are driving this multi-billion euro industry?
If you’ve never been to an adult massage parlour, it can take a while to get familiar with the unique ‘menu’ items. And what they actually involve.
We’ve summarised some of the most famous erotic massage jargon below:
AMP (Asian Massage Parlour)
An Asian Massage Parlour (AMP) refers to any massage salon where the staff are of Asian descent, often Chinese, Thai, Korean, Vietnamese, or Filipino.
In the United Kingdom, especially in major cities like London, Asian massage parlours are commonplace, often staffed by Chinese or Thai women.
Obviously, some AMPs strictly offer traditional therapeutic massages (and won’t be impressed if you ask for a happy ending), but the term is commonly used by punters to denote the shops where ‘extras’ are available.
Online forums and Reddit are the best place to determine whether the shop is legit.
Aqua Massage
An aqua massage adds water into the experience, typically involving a shower, bathtub, or jacuzzi. Sometimes called a “Soapy Massage,” (very common in Asia) it’s designed to enhances relaxation, with the masseuse often participating in the cleansing process.
The requirement of bathroom facilities makes this less common in the AMPs, but it’s often found as a service around Eastern European shops, particularly in Hungary and the Czech Republic.
BDSM Massage (Dark Tantra)
A kinky fusion of bondage, domination, and sensory play, BDSM massage, or “Dark Tantra”, combines traditional erotic massage with fetish and control. Expect add-ons like:
- Light restraint (silks, cuffs, ropes)
- Roleplay scenarios
- Pain/pleasure techniques (wax, floggers, teasing tools)
This is more commonly provided by specialist escorts rather than young (and often untrained) massage shop workers.
Bondassage
Similar to BDSM massage. This is a hybrid of massage, bondage, and sensory play. Common techniques include:
- Light restraints (silk ties, cuffs, or rope)
- Blindfolding to enhance sensitivity
- Feather, flogger, or ice cube teasing
It’s often paired with Tease & Denial or orgasm control services.
Body-to-Body Massage
This form of massage, where the masseuse uses her body to massage the client, is widely available across Europe.
In Spain, particularly in cities like Barcelona and Madrid, body-to-body massages are the standard offering in erotic massage shops.
Oils or gels are used for smooth motion.
Body Slide
A Body Slide is a signature move in Body-to-Body Massage, where the masseuse glides her oiled-up body across the client’s front or back in a single, fluid motion. It heightens arousal, and if you’ve experienced it before, you’ll know that it’s deeply erotic!
Casual Touch Massage
A more intimate experience, and slightly rarer to find, here the punter can ‘touch’ the masseuse, rather than simply receive a treatment. It might involve:
- Light kissing (on non-intimate areas)
- Cuddling or gentle embraces
This is more common in high-end escort-massage services and as part of a GFE (girlfriend experience).
Couples Massage
You’d be surprised how many readers we get looking for this service!
A Couples Massage lets you both get sensual treatment simultaneously. This can be performed by one masseuse alternating between partners or (for double the price) by two masseuses working in sync.
Many couples find these sessions deeply intimate, although they typically require booking in advance.
Parisian spas often offer romantic packages for couples, combining traditional massage techniques with sensual elements. In Swiss cities like Zurich, upscale brothels provide tailored experiences for couples seeking out this experience.
Erotic Massage
A catch-all term covering any massage listed on this page, basically intended to stimulate and arouse, rather than just relax or heal. Unlike full-service providers (escorts or brothels), erotic massage typically does not include penetration or intercourse.
Some masseuses do not offer manual stimulation (Happy Endings) and instead leave the room at the end of the session, giving you some quiet time to ‘take care of yourself’.
Recent evidence shows a clear rise in demand for these services. Surveys indicate 22% of German men sought erotic massages for ‘stress relief’ in 2024, up from 14% pre-COVID.
Escort (Massage Services)
While traditional escorts specialize in companionship services, some will offer erotic massage as an alternative to full-service. For example, there’s a large number of sex workers across Europe providing premium erotic massage via outcalls in hotels or private apartments.
As a general rule, an escort who specialises in erotic massage is likely to be highly skilled and well versed in some of the rarer body rubs listed on this page. Some may offer specialist services like BDSM or Femdom.
Extras
Extras, extras, extras.
Seasoned punters are used to laser-eyeing a menu in search of this vague and yet telling sign that a massage shop is ‘open for business’.
Basically it just means additional services provided beyond the standard erotic massage menu: typically happy endings, oral relief or full service. These are often not openly advertised and must be discussed privately with the masseuse.
Important: Extras are usually negotiated on the spot and paid in cash. In cities where erotic massage shops operate in a grey area of the law, the transaction will be completely separate from the body rub itself.
Fantasy Massage
Usually provided by escorts or high-end massage spas, fantasy massage hints at roleplay and themed experiences, often using costumes, props, and scripted interactions.
Popular fantasy scenarios include:
- Nurse/patient (medical play)
- School teacher/student (discipline play)
- MILF or mature experiences
These bookings will almost always require booking in advance to ensure that a masseuse is available who is comfortable with the fantasy.
Femdom Massage
A female-dominant massage experience, performed by a dominatrix-style masseuse. Unlike BDSM Massage, which can be more playful, Femdom Massage goes in hard on the power play:
- Verbal domination
- Restrained body positioning
- Controlled stimulation with teasing/denial
Not all Femdom massages include pain elements. Some focus solely on psychological dominance.
Considered a specialist service, femdom massage is typically offered at a premium by escorts and trained masseuses. It’s highly unlikely you’ll see this offered in an AMP.
Foot Fetish Massage
Extremely popular with punters who enjoy foot worship, domination, or tactile foot play, this massage often includes:
- Toe sucking and licking
- Massage of the feet
- Foot-based stimulation of the client’s body
Some high-end establishments offer foot-job variations, but it’s occasionally thrown in as an off-the-cuff extra if the masseuse is willing.
Four Hands Massage
Double the money, double the pleasure!
This is an epic massage where two masseuses work simultaneously on one client. Popular as a premium upgrade in AMPs.
Full Body Sensual Massage (FBSM)
A massage that balances relaxation and erotic stimulation, performed by a partially or fully nude masseuse. The goal is to heighten pleasure without explicitly focusing on the genitals. In other words… not your typical rub and tug.
Happy Endings are not always included, so check with your provider.
Full Service (FS)
Refers to penetrative intercourse, which most erotic massage parlours do not offer. Some private providers may include FS as an unspoken extra, but it’s never guaranteed.
G-Spot Massage (GSM)
A specialized form of internal stimulation, where a masseuse uses fingers or toys to target the G-spot. This is less common but may be combined with Prostate or Lingam Massage as part of a premium package offered by the more experienced girls at a shop.
Happy Ending (HE)
A common term for manual stimulation (handjob) provided at the end of an erotic massage.
Erotic Massage and Happy Endings are closely associated. Hand relief is synonymous with these parlours and, for many punters, it’s what their expectations are built on.
Even if, in some cases… it can lead to some very awkward encounters (see above). 😬
Also keep in mind that the Happy Ending is not always baked into the price. Additional tips may be required.
Ice & Fire Massage
This is a much more sensual experience, typically booked over the course of 1 or 2 hours for maximum intensity. It’s essentially a contrast-based erotic massage that involves alternating between hot and cold sensations. The masseuse may use:
- Heated oil or wax for warmth
- Ice cubes, chilled stones, or cooling gels for contrast
The variation in temperature heightens sensitivity and can intensify orgasms.
Lingam Massage
A Tantric practice focused on massaging the penis in slow, rhythmic movements to enhance relaxation, arousal, and ‘energy flow’.
It is often combined with breathing exercises and delayed orgasm techniques.
Nuru Massage
The legendary Japanese-style full-body massage is performed with a special slippery gel, where the masseuse glides her naked body over the client’s.
Deeply erotic, and commonplace in Asian parlours, the service has been exported successfully to most major European cities.
Shibari Massage
This is another export from Japan, a unique blend of Japanese rope bondage and erotic massage, Shibari Massage involves:
- Tying and restraining the client in artistic rope designs
- Applying slow, teasing touch while bound
- Releasing the client in a controlled, sensual manner
This is not for beginners and is best suited for those already comfortable with BDSM and restraint play. We rarely see it advertised by small massage shops, but you will occasionally see Shibari retreats for couples (there’s one in Motril, Spain), or experienced practitioners offering it at a premium.
Soapy Massage
A multi-step erotic experience, popular in Japan and Thailand, that includes:
- A full-body wash by the masseuse (often in a bath or shower)
- A Body-to-Body slide performed on an air mattress
- A final rinse, often with an optional Happy Ending
Similar to Aqua Massage, this is commonly found in Eastern Europe, or at high-end luxury spas in Germany and Switzerland.
Yoni Massage
The female counterpart to Lingam Massage, focusing on pleasuring the vagina and clitoris. Sessions often involve sensual teasing, slow stimulation, and orgasmic release.
Typical Prices of Erotic Massage In Europe
Oh god, how long is a piece of string?
Erotic massage pricing varies wildly across Europe, ranging from €25 quickies in Poland to €500 luxury tantric treatments with all the bells and whistles in Venice.
The biggest factors? Location, service type, and whether you’re paying tourist rates or local prices.
And obviously… the calibre of the provider.
Specialist escorts will cost significantly more than apprentice AMP sex workers.
To give you an example of the broad range of pricing:
- Eastern Europe Poland leads the low-cost market with Thai-style massages from €25–€30/hour, while Prague’s structured pricing puts Nuru and Body-to-Body sessions at €80–€160/hour.
- Germany: Berlin’s licensed parlours charge €140 for an erotic wellness session and €160 for Nuru, with extras like anal play (€100) and roleplay (€20). Freiburg offers express services, with handjobs starting at €40 for 15 minutes.
- Italy: You’ll pay €500/hour for high-end tantric services in Venice, while licensed massage studios in Bologna stay affordable at €60/hour.
- Spain: Expect €60–€100/hour in Barcelona and Madrid, with some beachside and backstreet venues undercutting those rates for tourists.
See our individual city guides for a closer look at the pricing in local massage shops.
