Legal prostitution is a topic that attracts much attention in Europe, where the approach to this activity varies from complete prohibition to legalization and strict regulation.In this article from G.Business, we will explore how prostitution is regulated in various European countries, focusing on Germany, where this activity is legal, and discuss specific locations where sex workers work, prices for services, and important rules for clients.

General Situation in Europe

Prostitution in Europe is regulated in different ways: from complete prohibition and decriminalization to full legalization and control. The continent has diverse approaches to the issue. For example, in Germany, prostitution was legalized in 2002, and since then, the situation has significantly changed due to the adoption of the ProstSchG law in 2017, which improved the working conditions of sex workers and provided them with legal protections. In some countries, such as France and Sweden, the purchase of sexual services is banned, representing a completely different approach.

According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), in 2019, there were about 100,000 registered sex workers in Europe, with the number of illegal workers steadily increasing, which remains a problem for law enforcement and health authorities.

Country Comparison: Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, France

Germany

  • Legislation: Prostitution is regulated by the ProstSchG law, which came into effect in 2017 and provides sex workers with legal rights, including medical check-ups and social guarantees.
  • Working Conditions: Workers are required to register and undergo regular medical check-ups.
  • Locations: Prostitution is widespread in Berlin, especially in areas such as Robertstrasse 17 and Friedrichshain.
  • Prices: The average price per hour is 50–80 euros.
  • Prohibited: Violence, exploitation, coercion.

Switzerland

  • Legislation: Prostitution is legalized, and brothels require licensing at the canton level.
  • Working Conditions: Sex workers must undergo regular medical check-ups and be registered.
  • Locations: Prostitution is common in Zurich, especially in the Santalstrasse area.
  • Prices: The average price per hour is 150–200 Swiss francs.
  • Prohibited: Coercion into prostitution and exploitation.

Belgium

  • Legislation: Prostitution was decriminalized in 2022, but brothels are still strictly regulated.
  • Working Conditions: Sex workers are not required to register but must comply with sanitary standards.
  • Locations: Prostitution is regulated in Brussels, particularly in the Molenbeek district.
  • Prices: The average price is 50–70 euros.
  • Prohibited: Violation of sanitary standards and violence.

Spain

  • Legislation: Prostitution is neither prohibited nor regulated at the legislative level.
  • Working Conditions: In some cities such as Barcelona and Madrid, informal zones with brothels exist.
  • Locations: Barcelona and Madrid.
  • Prices: The average price is 60–80 euros.
  • Prohibited: Coercion and violence.

France

  • Legislation: In 2016, a law was passed banning the purchase of sexual services.
  • Working Conditions: Sex workers do not break the law, but clients can be fined.
  • Locations: Prostitution exists in a hidden form, particularly in areas like Chatelet or Saint-Denis.
  • Prices: The average price is 100 euros per hour.
  • Prohibited: The purchase of sexual services.

Germany: Details

In Germany, prostitution was legalized back in 2002, but the ProstSchG law, passed in 2017, significantly improved the conditions for sex workers by granting them more rights and opportunities for protection. In cities like Berlin, famous areas for sex workers include Robertstrasse 17 and Friedrichshain. These areas are also home to numerous brothels, where workers are required to undergo medical check-ups and officially register.

  • Prices for Clients: In Berlin, the cost of services ranges from 50 to 80 euros per hour, depending on the type of establishment and location.
  • Registration and Medical Check-ups: Sex workers are required to undergo regular medical check-ups and also register in databases to obtain work permits.
  • Rules: It is important to follow safety conditions, both for clients and workers. Violating these conditions is strictly prohibited.

Locations: Specific Addresses and Districts

Germany:

  • Robertstrasse 17, Friedrichshain, Berlin — one of the most well-known areas in Berlin where brothels and public houses are concentrated.
  • Naunynstrasse, Neukölln, Berlin — a street located in one of the most tolerant areas of the city, where sex workers can legally operate.

Switzerland:

  • Santalstrasse, Zurich — an area with licensed brothels that operate in strict accordance with canton laws.

Belgium:

  • Molenbeek, Brussels — an area where prostitution is actively regulated by local authorities.

France:

  • Chatelet and Saint-Denis, Paris — informal areas with a high level of prostitution, despite the ban on purchasing sexual services.

Prices: Average Price per Hour

  • Berlin: 50–80 euros.
  • Zurich: 150–200 Swiss francs.
  • Brussels: 50–70 euros.

Client Guide: Rules for Clients

  1. Payment: Payment is made only after the service is provided. Clients must follow the agreed price.
  2. Documentation: In some countries, such as Germany, clients may be required to provide documents for registration at brothels.
  3. Refusal: Refusal of services is possible at any time, but respect for the sex worker is essential.
  4. Safety: It is important to adhere to safety protocols, use protection, and follow the working conditions.
  5. What is Prohibited:
    • Violence and coercion.
    • Violation of personal boundaries.
    • Coercion into drug use.
    • Illegal exploitation.

Legal prostitution in Europe varies significantly in regulation, from full legalization in Germany and Switzerland to strict prohibition of purchasing sexual services in countries like France. Germany serves as an example of successful legalization, ensuring safety and protection for sex workers. However, illegal prostitution and human exploitation remain significant problems across Europe.

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