European Taxi Trade Fair from 6 to 7 November 2026 in Cologne

The European Taxi Trade Fair will take place on 6 and 7 November 2026 in Cologne. In early September, according to the Professional Association for Passenger Transport North Rhine Taxi Rental Cars e.V., more than 80 exhibitors are planned for Hall 1. For comparison: at the end of August 2024 there were 65. Around 40,000 taxi and rental-car companies in Germany have also received the invitation booklet for the fair.

The invitation booklet goes to around 40,000 companies

The professional association has been organizing the European Taxi Trade Fair for decades on a biennial rhythm. Traditionally, it sends the invitation booklet in mid-August as a supplement to the magazine "Sicherheitsprofi" of the Berufsgenossenschaft Verkehr. Recipients are the taxi and rental-car companies registered with the Berufsgenossenschaft in Germany.

The hall plan for Hall 1 is already booked with more than 80 exhibitors, according to the organizer, in early September. This figure is above the comparison value of the previous fair. At the end of August 2024, 65 exhibitors were registered. More companies may still join. Currently, exhibition spaces of various sizes are available.

Professional program on Law and Digitalization

In addition to the exhibition, a framework program with professional events is planned. The industry topics this time will be addressed not in the Crystal Hall, but in a seminar room directly adjacent to the exhibition hall.

On the morning of the first trade fair day, part of the program is aimed particularly at representatives of licensing authorities. It provides information on current developments in passenger transport law, on the digitization of administrative processes, and on the legal situation regarding the obligation to install a Technical Security Device under the Cash Register Security Regulation.

Speakers include attorney Thomas Grätz and Edo Dieckmann, former employee of the tax administration of Lower Saxony. Tino Schopf, a member of the Berlin State Parliament, is also expected to provide an update on the current status of combating unfair and illegal competition by platform-driven rental cars.

Marketing and digital tools for businesses

For taxi and rental-car companies, the framework program places further emphasis on local marketing and digital tools to counter unfair competition. The marketing section will be led by Bernhard Linz.

Attorney Dr. Lars Maritzen is also expected to present an app developed by the law firm Schalast Tax & Law. With the application, drivers and operators can easily document certain violations by rental-car drivers and report them for a competition-law cease-and-desist notice.

Parts of the specialist program are to be recorded. The keynotes, lectures, and panel discussions are to be made available online, according to the organizer, starting from early December 2026.

Raffle with Plug-in Hybrid as Grand Prize

As part of the program, on the afternoon of 7 November 2026 there will again be a raffle. The grand prize is announced as a BYD Seal 6 DM-i Touring with plug-in hybrid drive. The pale ivory-colored vehicle is supposed to come with taxi equipment and additional features.

Only concessionaires may participate in the drawing. They must present at least one original concession certificate as well as an identity card or passport during the drawing. The vehicle is to be displayed at the entrance to the exhibition hall during the two fair days. The final handover is planned at Die Transform GmbH in Nümbrecht.

Admission and parking are free

Admission to the European Taxi Trade Fair remains free in 2026. According to the organizer, visitors can also use free parking on the exhibition grounds.

For rail travelers, the organizer recommends Köln-Deutz station. From there, the fairgrounds should be reachable on foot in about five minutes. From Cologne Bonn Airport, travel time by S-Bahn to Köln-Deutz station is around 15 minutes, according to the announcement. (Source: Fachvereinigung Personenverkehr Nordrhein Taxi Mietwagen e.V.)