In a brothel as a customer: Rights in the event of a police check - FAQ & tips

Many women ask themselves: Can I go into a brothel as a customer? What happens during a police check?

Dear Community

we get this question very often, especially from users who want to visit a brothel or studio as a customer:

"Can the police just send me out during a check?"

"Do I have to prove that I'm just a guest and not working?"

"What are my rights as a local woman?"

We have carefully reviewed the current legal situation (as of March 2026), police practice and court rulings. Here is the clear answer - fact-based and without embellishment. All relevant laws are linked directly from the official Federal Legal Information System (RIS)</b

Principle: No special penalty for female guests - but checks are routine

During routine checks in legal brothels, brothels or studios, the police check everyone present:

Show ID (identity check)
Short question: "What are you doing here?"
Sometimes: "Are you a customer or do you work?"

Legally there is no regulation that automatically suspects or forces women as customers to "prove" something. Simply visiting as a paying customer is - as with men - not a criminal offense. There is no offense "woman in brothel without cover".

This results from the lack of a corresponding criminal provision in the Criminal Code and the state prostitution laws, which only regulate the practice of prostitution (registration, health checks, etc.). Examples:

Vienna Prostitution Act 2011 - current version (RIS)
→ Regulates initiation, practice, brothels, etc. - nowhere penalties for clients.
Criminal Code (StGB) - Federal Law Consolidated (RIS)
→ No norm against the purchase of sex.

The police are allowed to question you because brothels are places where illegal prostitution (without registration) occurs - that is their legal mandate.

Can the police ask you to leave the club?

No - not just because you're a woman.

The police have no general right to send real guests (customers) out as long as you identify yourself correctly and do not do anything illegal. The bar is open to the public (for guests) and you have the right to be there - as long as the operator allows it.

However, there is a very common scenario in practice that many operators and users report:

During checks, the police often actively urge the operator not to let any more female guests in or to escort female guests who are already present out. The officers' reasoning is usually along the same lines:

"If we see a woman here without a lid, there's trouble - either she's an illegal worker or we have to spend hours clarifying whether she really is a customer."
"So that we can move on quickly and don't have to write unnecessary protocols, it would be better if you didn't let any more ladies in / let this lady go now."

Many operators give in to this - not because they themselves have no interest in female customers, but because they want to minimize the stress of control: Fewer discussions, fewer file notes, less risk of the club later being classified as a "front for illegal prostitution".

→ This is not a police order in the legal sense (the police can't force you to leave just because you're a woman), but indirect pressure via the threat of a longer stay and more paperwork. The operator then uses his right to leave to politely ask you to leave - often with the words: "Sorry about the check..."

In short: In practice, the initiative usually comes from the police (to simplify control), the operator then implements it - not out of disinterest in customers, but out of self-protection against trouble from the authorities.

Do you have to "prove" that you're not working?

No - the burden of proof lies with the police / authorities.

You don't have to actively prove that you are a customer. It is usually enough:

Show ID
Say: "I'm here as a customer, have paid / am about to pay."
Stay calm and cooperative

If the police have a concrete suspicion, they can question you for longer or file a complaint - but this is the exception.

Conclusion & Practical tips for you as a customer

Legally you are protected as a woman guest - no automatic expulsion or obligation to provide evidence (see RIS links above).
In practice, police checks urge many operators not to let female guests in at all or to escort them out quickly - not because the club doesn't want any female customers, but because the police see this as the easiest solution.
Tip 1: Call anonymously beforehand - ask directly whether female guests are currently possible and how the club deals with checks.
Tip 2: Go with an escort, have cash/card with you - this makes you clearly recognizable as a customer.
Tip 3: Stay calm, say clearly "I am a customer", show your ID - nothing more.
Tip 4: If you are sent out without any concrete suspicion, make a note of the date, time, club and, if applicable, service numbers - this can be useful for a complaint.

We at Intimcity.at want everyone to feel safe and informed - whether they are a worker or a customer. Feel free to share your real experiences (anonymously) in the comments, it helps others enormously!

Remain respectful, cautious and self-confident.

Your Intimcity.at team

FAQ 1: What is the best thing to say when the police ask: "What are you doing here?"

Answer calmly, clearly and concisely:

"I am here as a paying customer." or "I am a guest and have booked / paid for a service."

Avoid long explanations or justifications ("It's my first time here", "I just wanted to have a look" etc.) - this can unnecessarily arouse suspicion.

Show your ID when requested and remain polite. Most checks with real customers are completed in 30-60 seconds.

FAQ 2: Do I have to show my handbag or my belongings if the police ask?

No - not in principle.

In Austria, the police may not search your bag or clothing during a normal identity check in a brothel as long as there is no concrete suspicion of a criminal offense against you (e.g. drugs, theft, human trafficking).

If an official asks for it anyway, you can say politely:

"I'm just a customer, I'm not carrying anything illegal."

In practice, most officers will immediately drop the subject if you clearly position yourself as a guest. If you are nevertheless searched (very rarely in the case of female-only customers), you have the right to complain about this later (official complaint).

FAQ 3: The operator politely asks me to leave because of the check - what do I do then?

In most cases, follow the operator's instructions - but do so calmly and confidently.

Say, for example:

"I see, no problem. I'm just a customer and didn't want to disturb anyone."

Then leave the company without discussion. Make a note (later):

Name / address of the club
Date and approximate time
Short description ("Was politely asked to leave due to ongoing inspection")

This will help if you want to give feedback or submit a complaint later.

Important: This is almost always an exercise of domestic authority by the operator (under gentle pressure from the police), not a police measure against you personally.