Prostitution in the city of Mainz has undergone significant changes in recent years, with several brothels closing and a shift toward more discreet and sometimes illegal practices.
Until 2021, the brothel Crazy, located near the city’s central train station, was one of the most known establishments. Its closure marked a turning point, along with the shutdown of other brothels such as Poppmodels and Gentlemen’s Dream. While Poppmodels later reopened under the name 6Perlen, Gentlemen’s Dream and Crazy remain permanently closed. The city currently has three registered brothels and one so-called appointment apartment. One of the brothels, Erotica Voyage in Hechtsheim, is also currently closed.
Prostitute Protection Act and COVID
The closure of Crazy was not directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, it was affected by the Prostitute Protection Act (Prostituiertenschutzgesetz), enacted in 2017. Although Crazy was initially exempt from the city’s prostitution-free zone due to its earlier establishment, the implementation of the law eventually led to the revocation of its operating rights.
Since 1986, most of the Mainz city center, along with parts of Bretzenheim and the Upper City, has been designated as a restricted area where prostitution is prohibited. This regulation was introduced under the Regulatory Ordinance for the Protection of Youth and Public Decency by the former regional government of Rheinhessen-Pfalz. According to the city, the original rationale for establishing the restricted zone can no longer be reconstructed, but there are currently no plans to alter it.
Between February 15, 2023, and February 11, 2025, a total of 147 sex workers registered in Mainz – 145 women and two men. This number has remained stable in recent years. However, the registration data do not necessarily reflect the number of active sex workers in Mainz. Sex workers registered in other municipalities do not need to re-register in Mainz, and those registered in Mainz may work elsewhere in Germany. Additionally, frequent changes in work locations further complicate accurate data collection.
During the pandemic and subsequent brothel closures, many sex workers reportedly shifted to apartment-based prostitution, some of which occurs outside legal frameworks. Authorities in Mainz have observed an increase in short-term rentals of private apartments for prostitution purposes, often through platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com.
Many sex workers operate illegally from apartements
The Mainz-based counseling center Selma, which supports sex workers, reports that approximately 55 women currently operate without fixed workplaces, offering services in clients’ homes or hotel rooms. According to city authorities, illegal prostitution is defined primarily by the absence of valid registration or documentation, as mandated by the Prostitute Protection Act. The law requires sex workers to register and renew their certificates every two years. Failure to comply constitutes an administrative offense. In 2024, the regulatory authority in Mainz investigated 17 cases of illegal prostitution.
Illegal prostitution can pose risks to sex workers, including lack of access to health information and support services, reduced enforcement of safety measures such as condom use, and greater vulnerability to exploitation. The police and regulatory authorities conduct regular inspections to identify cases of illegal residence and potential human trafficking. In 2024, five criminal investigations were initiated related to prostitution in Mainz, most involving illegal residence. One case remains under investigation for suspected human trafficking.
The Selma counseling center and other organizations have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the Prostitute Protection Act. Although the law mandates registration, health counseling, condom use, and emergency measures within brothels, some experts argue that these regulations increase stigma and may drive sex work underground. A scientific evaluation of the law is expected by July 1, 2025.
Despite nationwide regulations limiting local action, the city of Mainz maintains its restricted zone. According to authorities, this often leads to sex workers seeking alternative, sometimes covert, methods to continue their work. The city has no plans to change the current zoning regulations.