Name: DOMOTEX 2028
Start: 2028-01-17
End: 2028-01-20
Location: Messegelände Hannover

Event overview

Overview

DOMOTEX 2028 will take place from January 17 to 20, 2028, at Messegelände Hannover in Germany.

This leading trade fair for floor coverings and interior finishing will showcase innovative products and solutions, attracting a diverse audience from the industry.

TL;DR

1Edition And Dates: DOMOTEX 2028 takes place January 17-20, 2028 over four consecutive show days.
2Venue And City: The fair is hosted at Messegelande Hannover in Hannover, Germany.
3Organiser: Deutsche Messe AG organises DOMOTEX at its Hannover exhibition grounds.
4Sector Focus: Leading trade fair for floor coverings and interior finishing.
5Audience And Networking: A diverse flooring-industry audience with networking opportunities with top exhibitors.

Why visit

Visitors will gain insights into the latest flooring trends, discover innovative products, and connect with key industry players. Edition And Dates: DOMOTEX 2028 takes place January 17-20, 2028 over four consecutive show days. Venue And City: The fair is hosted at Messegelande Hannover in Hannover, Germany. Audience And Networking: A diverse flooring-industry audience with networking opportunities with top exhibitors.

Why exhibit

Exhibiting at DOMOTEX provides companies with unparalleled visibility and access to a targeted audience of industry professionals. Sector Focus: Leading trade fair for floor coverings and interior finishing. Audience And Networking: A diverse flooring-industry audience with networking opportunities with top exhibitors. DOMOTEX serves as a crucial platform for industry professionals to explore the latest trends and innovations in flooring and interior design.

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

Who this event is for

Visitor profile

Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.

Interior designers seeking innovative flooring solutions

Retail buyers looking for the latest trends in flooring

Contractors and builders interested in new materials

Architects focusing on sustainable design practices

Distributors and wholesalers in the flooring industry

Industry professionals looking to network and collaborate

Exhibitor profile

Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.

Manufacturers of flooring materials

Suppliers of interior finishing products

Companies specializing in sustainable building solutions

Technology providers for flooring applications

Design firms focused on innovative interior solutions

Contractors and service providers in the flooring sector

Product categories

Key solution areas showcased across the event.

Hardwood flooring and engineered wood products

Carpets and rugs for residential and commercial use

Vinyl and laminate flooring solutions

Sustainable and eco-friendly flooring options

Flooring installation tools and equipment

Interior design accessories and finishes

Location & Facilities

Venue

Open in Google Maps

Messegelände Hannover

Hannover, Germany

Attend

Entry & tickets

Who runs the show

Organisers

Deutsche Messe AG

Call Website

How the last edition performed

Previous edition

Last edition

2026

estimate

Visitors: 30,000

Exhibitors: 1,000

Exhibitor countries: 60

Visitor countries: 120

This edition

2028

Next edition

Not announced yet

Impact

A bigger and stronger platform

DOMOTEX 2028 will take place from January 17 to 20, 2028, at Messegelände Hannover in Germany. This leading trade fair for floor coverings and interior finishing will showcase innovative products and solutions, attracting a diverse audience from the industry. DOMOTEX serves as a crucial platform for industry professionals to explore the latest trends and innovations in flooring and interior design. It facilitates networking and collaboration among manufacturers, suppliers, and buyers, driving growth.

Audience quality

High-value decision-makers

Visitors typically include Interior designers seeking innovative flooring solutions, Retail buyers looking for the latest trends in flooring, Contractors and builders interested in new materials, Architects focusing on sustainable design practices. Event dates: January 17-20, 2028. Location: Messegelände Hannover, Germany. Leading trade fair for floor coverings and interior finishing. Showcasing innovative products and solutions. DOMOTEX 2028 attracts an audience aligned with the organiser's published visitor.

Exhibitor outcomes

Real business growth

Exhibiting at DOMOTEX provides companies with unparalleled visibility and access to a targeted audience of industry professionals. DOMOTEX serves as a crucial platform for industry professionals to explore the latest trends and innovations in flooring and interior design. It facilitates networking and collaboration among manufacturers, suppliers, and buyers, driving growth in the sector. Exhibitor categories include Manufacturers of flooring materials, Suppliers of interior finishing products, Companies.

Intelligence

Market context

Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.

Germany / Western Europe — Hannover, Lower Saxony. The leading European marketplace for carpet, rugs, parquet, laminate, resilient flooring and installation technology, with heavy inbound attendance from the Middle East, Asia and North America.

Why it matters

DOMOTEX is the world's flagship trade fair for floor coverings and interior finishes. One trip to Messegelände Hannover puts the entire supply chain in front of you — machine-made and hand-knotted carpets, rugs, hardwood and engineered parquet, laminate, LVT/resilient products, underlays, adhesives, installation technology and logistics providers. For buyers it compresses months of supplier evaluation into days; for exhibitors it is the single most efficient route to European distributors, contract specifiers, retail chains and export buyers in one January week.

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

Resilient and rigid-core flooring keeps taking share

LVT/SPC and hybrid rigid-core products continue to displace traditional laminate and some textile volume in residential and contract projects, with waterproof click systems, acoustic backings and thicker wear layers as the standard selling points.

Sustainability and circularity are now procurement criteria

Recycled and bio-based yarns and backings, PVC-free and low-VOC constructions, take-back schemes, EPDs and CO2 data are increasingly demanded by specifiers and driven by EU regulation — the show floor reflects this with dedicated sustainability-focused exhibitors and talks.

Textile revival and high-end design

Hand-knotted and custom rugs, tufted broadloom and natural fibres (wool, jute, sisal, hemp) remain the design heart of the fair, and the show's design and award moments keep pulling in architects, interior designers and premium retail buyers.

Digital tools in sales and installation

Digital sampling, room visualisers, AI-rendered floor scenes and barcode-based installation documentation are being adopted by manufacturers and retailers to shorten the specification and sales cycle.

Freight, tariffs and supply-chain reshaping

Higher freight and tariff exposure is pushing European buyers to diversify sourcing across Turkey, India, China and EU producers — compare landed costs, not just list prices, when talking to suppliers at the show.

Plan your trip

Travel & logistics

Local currency · EUR

Arrival airports

Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.

HAJ

Hannover Airport

Primary gateway for Hannover Messe.

~12 km

to venue

20–25 min

by car

HAM

Hamburg Airport

Secondary long-haul option via Hamburg.

~150 km

to venue

1 h 30 min by ICE

by car

Hotel tiers

A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

Budget

Hannover city centre / Hauptbahnhof (S-Bahn S4/S5 or A2/A7 road access to the fairground, ~20–25 min)

USD 70–120 / night

City-centre budget rooms are the best value during the fair; factor in the S-Bahn ticket to Hannover Messe/Laatzen.

source

Mid-range

Messe/Laatzen district next to the fairground and adjacent city-centre locations

USD 130–200 / night

Staying in Laatzen/Messe means walkable or one-stop access to the halls; these hotels sell out first for January fairs.

source

Premium

Fairground-adjacent park locations and central Hannover (Maschsee, city centre)

USD 210–330 / night

Best for hosting meetings and evening receptions; book 4–6 months ahead for January show dates.

source

Local transport

Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

s_bahn

Estimated costEUR ~4–6 single GVH ticket estimate (airport zone)

Best forHannover Airport (HAJ) → Hannover Hbf → Hannover Messe/Laatzen (S-Bahn S5/S4)

S-Bahn S5 runs to the fairground station 'Hannover Messe/Laatzen'; roughly 35–45 minutes total with a change at Hauptbahnhof. Trade-fair tickets often include GVH local transport.

taxi

Estimated costEUR ~45–60 taxi estimate (25–35 min off-peak)

Best forHannover Airport (HAJ) to Messegelände Hannover

Roughly 20–25 km from the airport in the north to the fairground in the south-east; allow extra time on show mornings.

s_bahn

Estimated costEUR ~3–4 single GVH zone ticket estimate

Best forHannover Hbf → Hannover Messe/Laatzen (venue station)

Direct S-Bahn S4/S5 service in about 18–20 minutes; the station is a short walk or shuttle ride from the halls.

rideshare

Estimated costEUR ~20–30 rideshare estimate

Best forCity centre / hotel district ↔ Messegelände Hannover

Uber/Bolt coverage in Hannover is thinner than in larger German cities; licensed taxis at the venue ranks are the reliable option.

taxi

Estimated costEUR ~8–12 per day parking estimate

Best forOn-site parking, Messegelände Hannover car parks

Large on-site car parks with shuttle buses between halls; confirm current daily rates and entry routes on the venue or organiser site.

taxi

Estimated costEUR 35–50 (taxi estimate)

Best forHamburg Airport (HAM) to Messegelände Hannover

Hamburg Airport serves northern Germany trade fairs.

Plan your trip

Visa & entry documents

Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.

Visa required

ATA Carnet: accepted

Visa-exempt travellers (US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Brazil and others) may attend DOMOTEX for business without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; ETIAS authorisation is expected to be required for these travellers once the system launches.

Germany accepts ATA carnets for the temporary import of display goods, samples and professional equipment. Exhibitors should arrange a carnet in their home country and check Deutsche Messe's customs and logistics guidance for the show.

Official visa page

Weather

January is Hannover's coldest month: expect daytime highs of roughly 2–4 °C and overnight lows around −2 to 0 °C, with frost common and occasional light snow. Precipitation averages around 45–55 mm spread over ~16–18 wet days, so pack warm layers, a waterproof coat and shoes suitable for cold, wet walking between halls.

Plan for the climate

Check temperatures and pack accordingly

Venue connectivity

Confirm mobile roaming or local SIM options for business visitors to Germany.

Ride-hailing

Taxis

Public transit

Car rentals

Cultural notes

Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.

Tipping and payment

Service is normally included in restaurant bills; round up or add 5–10 % for good service. Many smaller businesses prefer cash or EC/Girocard over credit cards, so carry some euros — and note most shops close on Sundays.

Business etiquette

German business culture is formal and punctual: use titles and surnames until invited otherwise, shake hands on meeting and leaving, and arrive exactly on time for appointments and stand meetings.

Dress and show days

Smart-casual business dress works for the show floor (comfortable shoes matter — the halls are large), with a dark suit or equivalent for evening receptions and supplier dinners.

Practical guides

Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials

Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.

Flights

Destination: HAJ

Compare flights to the nearest international gateway serving Hannover; confirm ground transport on the organiser site.

Visa

Germany is in the Schengen area. Visa-exempt nationals (US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Brazil and many more) may enter for fair/business attendance for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa — though the ETIAS pre-travel authorisation is expected to apply to visa-exempt travellers once it launches. Other nationalities need a Schengen Type C short-stay visa (adult fee EUR 90; typically ~15 calendar days processing) obtained from the German mission responsible for their place of residence — apply 4–6 weeks before travel, as appointment slots tighten before a January fair.

Estimated cost: Varies by visa type and nationality (check official site).

Processing: Varies by nationality; apply several weeks before travel.

Apply at the German embassy/consulate responsible for your place of residence. Trade-fair and business-meeting visits are covered by a standard Type C visa; bring an invitation letter or exhibitor confirmation. Fee: EUR 90 adults, EUR 45 for children 6–12, free under 6. Covers trade-fair attendance and business meetings, but generally not paid employment in Germany.

Official

Transport

Get to the venue and around the city with these options.

Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Hannover Airport (HAJ): 20–25 min; Hamburg Airport (HAM): 1 h 30 min by ICE. Allow road or rail time to Messegelände Hannover; on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.

Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Messegelände Hannover: Hannover city centre / Hauptbahnhof (S-Bahn S4/S5 or A2/A7 road access to the fairground, ~20–25 min): Ibis budget Hannover Hauptbahnhof, B&B Hotel Hannover-City, Motel One Hannover (early-booking rates); Messe/Laatzen district next to the fairground and adjacent city-centre locations: H4 Hotel Hannover Messe, IntercityHotel Hannover, Leonardo Hotel Hannover; Fairground-adjacent park locations and central Hannover (Maschsee, city centre): Kastens Hotel

Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Hannover; confirm local availability before travel.

Public transit: Check local bus/metro options for routes to Messegelände Hannover.

Parking: On-site parking is available at Messegelände Hannover; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.

Weather

Plan and pack for the event climate.

Month: January 2028

Temperature: Daytime highs ~2–4 °C (36–39 °F); overnight lows ~−2 to 0 °C (28–32 °F); frost and occasional light snow.

Seasonality: ~45–55 mm of precipitation across roughly 16–18 wet days in January; snow is possible but usually light, and daylight is short (around 8 hours) — plan indoor transfers and warm, waterproof layers.

Packing: January is Hannover's coldest month: expect daytime highs of roughly 2–4 °C and overnight lows around −2 to 0 °C, with frost common and occasional light snow. Precipitation averages around 45–55 mm spread over ~16–18 wet days, so pack warm layers, a waterproof coat and shoes suitable for cold, wet w

Plan your trip

Planning

Best day to visit: Tuesday 18 January 2028 (Day 2)

Day 2 is typically the fullest show day: all halls and staged talks/trend sessions are running, exhibitor teams are fully staffed before fatigue sets in, and it avoids the opening-day crowds of 17 January and the final day (20 January), when stands begin dismantling and senior staff leave early.

Confirm passport validity and Schengen entry requirements for Germany — Check your passport and entry rules before booking non-refundable travel to Hannover.

Book flights to Hannover for the January 17-20, 2028 show dates — Compare arrival times so you clear immigration and reach your hotel before the first show day.

Reserve a hotel in Hannover near Messegelande Hannover — Prioritise accommodation with direct tram or rail access to the exhibition grounds.

Complete online visitor registration for DOMOTEX 2028 — Register through the official domotex.de channel to avoid on-site queues.

Download the hall plan and exhibitor directory — Mark target exhibitors across the floor coverings and interior finishing halls.

Pre-schedule B2B meetings with target exhibitors — Send agenda and meeting requests before organiser matchmaking slots fill.

Shortlist programme and conference sessions to attend — Block times that do not clash with confirmed exhibitor meetings.

Plan local transport from your hotel to Messegelande Hannover — Check tram, rail and taxi options and typical fares for the show mornings.

Arrange travel insurance and payment methods for Germany — Confirm card acceptance and carry some cash for local transport.

Prepare packing for a January Hannover visit — Pack warm business attire for winter conditions and comfortable walking shoes.

Print meeting documents, business cards and booth shortlist — Bring both digital and printed copies for exhibitor meetings.

Travel to Hannover and collect your visitor badge — Collect the badge at Messegelande Hannover and confirm the Day 1 opening time.

Sample visitor itinerary

Route-optimised day

09:00–12:30

Badge pickup at Messegelände Hannover, then a fast orientation sweep of the carpet and rug halls to map the largest stands and priority suppliers.

13:30–18:00

First-pass stand meetings in the hard-flooring segments (parquet, laminate, LVT/resilient) plus the trend and special-show areas; close with the opening-day networking reception.

09:00–13:00

Deep-dive product demos and technical talks (installation systems, underlays, adhesives, sustainability certifications); collect spec sheets, EPDs and physical samples.

09:30–16:00

Second-round meetings with shortlisted suppliers, quote/MOQ and lead-time discussions, freight and importing logistics, then a wrap-up dinner in central Hannover.

Side trips

Hamburg

Germany's second-largest city and a major trade/port hub — Speicherstadt, Elbphilharmonie and the harbour make an easy weekend or evening extension after the fair.

Hameln (Hamelin)

Well-preserved Weser-Renaissance old town and the Pied Piper legend — a compact half-day trip for first-time visitors to Lower Saxony.

Networking spots

Exhibitor stand meeting zones (carpet and flooring halls)

Most B2B conversations happen at supplier stands; pre-book slots and use stand-side meeting corners for longer negotiations.

Trade-visitor lounges and show-stage areas

Coffee breaks around trend talks and award presentations are the easiest place to meet specifiers, retailers, distributors and trade press.

Central Hannover (Altstadt / Markthalle)

Evening dinners and informal meetings; reachable in roughly 18–20 minutes by S-Bahn from the Hannover Messe/Laatzen station.

Budget

Costs & budget

Cost reference

Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.

visa_fee

visitor · standard

EUR 90 / per person (Schengen Type C, adult)

official

visa_fee

visitor · Entry visa

USD 100 / per application

official

Item	For	Tier	Estimated range	Status	As of
visa_fee	visitor	standard	EUR 90 / per person (Schengen Type C, adult)	official
visa_fee	visitor	Entry visa	USD 100 / per application	official

Decision

Visit, exhibit, or skip?

Should you go?

Pick the closest answer for each. Your recommendation updates live.

QUESTION 1 OF 6

What is your primary role?

Decision matrix

Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.

visit

You are evaluating suppliers, materials and pricing and are not yet ready to commit to a stand.

Best for

Buyers, specifiers, retailers, installers and designers who need to compare products, suppliers and price levels across the whole flooring market in 2–4 days.

Min. budget

$550.00

Timeline

4–8 weeks: register for a trade badge, book accommodation (the Messe/Laatzen district sells out for January fairs) and secure flights or rail into Hannover.

Risks

Budget estimate from listing cost signals — confirm live rates.

January hotel rates near the fairground spike; book 3–6 months ahead.

Visa appointment slots can be scarce 1–2 months before the fair.

exhibit

You have a European/export sales pipeline and new products to launch to international buyers.

Best for

Manufacturers, distributors and service providers targeting European and export buyers with a product portfolio to show.

Min. budget

$2,750.00

Timeline

9–12 months before the show: space application, stand design and build, freight/carnet, travel and pre-show marketing.

Risks

Budget estimate from listing cost signals — confirm live rates.

Budget estimate from listing cost signals — confirm booth pricing with the organiser; stand build, freight and installation typically exceed the space fee.

Requires trained stand staff and a structured lead follow-up process to convert contacts.

skip

Your buyers are reachable through local channels, distributors or regional shows instead of a Hannover trip.

Best for

Companies whose customers do not attend European flooring fairs or whose target market is purely domestic outside Europe.

Timeline

n/a

Risks

No major risks listed.

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