Passenger rights for delayed trains can, in some cases, mean money back. Whether you receive compensation, and how much, depends on how late you arrive at your destination, the fare you paid and the type of journey. This guide explains the rules for long-distance and regional rail travel in Germany and shows how to make a claim.
Short answer: For rail journeys under EU Regulation 2021/782, a delay of 60 to 119 minutes at the final destination entitles you to at least 25 percent of the fare, and 120 minutes or more to at least 50 percent. In regional transport, additional rights follow section 11 of the German Railway Traffic Regulation (EVO) and the conditions of your transport operator. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points in brief
- EU Regulation 2021/782 is the current basis for rail journeys. The older Regulation 1371/2007, which many texts still cite, has been replaced by it.
- The minimum compensation is 25 percent of the fare for a delay of 60 to 119 minutes and 50 percent from 120 minutes.
- Season tickets follow separate rules, and for repeated delays the compensation depends on the operator’s conditions.
- In regional transport, additional rights apply under section 11 EVO, such as continuing the journey on another train or reimbursement of necessary costs.
- Proof of the delay helps, so keep your ticket, the times and the route.
- Check your operator’s claim process and deadlines before you wait for a reply.
When does a delay bring compensation?
What matters is how late you arrive at your destination. The regulation links the claim to a delay you suffer between departure and destination and to the price of the ticket. A delay of a few minutes is not enough. The minimum threshold is 60 minutes.
For long-distance services, Article 19 of Regulation (EU) 2021/782 sets out two levels. The wording of the rule also covers season tickets. If your train is repeatedly delayed or cancelled while your season ticket is valid, you have a claim to appropriate compensation under the operator’s conditions. The regulation does not set fixed percentages for that situation.
How much compensation is due?
The table below shows the minimum compensation under Article 19 (1) of the regulation. The example assumes a fare of 49 euros.
| Delay at the destination | Minimum compensation | Example with a 49 euro fare (assumption) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 60 minutes | No claim under this rule | 0 euros |
| 60 to 119 minutes | 25 percent of the fare | 12.25 euros |
| 120 minutes or more | 50 percent of the fare | 24.50 euros |
The calculation is simple: fare times 0.25 or times 0.5. The relevant figure is the price you actually paid, not the standard fare. If you used a reduction, the reduced amount counts. If several tickets were booked for one journey, the price per leg may differ, so check the calculation against your booking.
What applies in regional transport?
For tickets valid only on public regional transport, section 11 of the German Railway Traffic Regulation (EVO) grants additional rights where a delay that can reasonably be expected at the destination occurs. The main rights are:
- Continuing the journey on another train, if otherwise a delay of at least 20 minutes at the destination would occur.
- Continuing the journey by another means of transport, if the contractual arrival lies between 0:00 and 5:00 and a delay of at least 60 minutes would otherwise occur, or on the last scheduled connection of the day if the destination can no longer be reached by midnight without the other transport.
- Reimbursement of necessary expenses, capped at 120 euros in the second case.
For the fare compensation, section 11 EVO refers to the EU regulation. According to the German Bundestag’s Research Service, earlier versions of the EVO provided compensation in regional rail transport from as little as 20 minutes. You should check the current statutory text and your operator’s conditions before you assume an amount, because the extent of the claim in regional transport and the tickets it covers need to be confirmed.
How to apply for compensation, step by step
- Document the delay. Photograph your ticket and note the train, the route, the planned and the actual arrival. The delay display in the rail app or a screenshot helps as proof.
- Keep the ticket. Without the ticket or proof of purchase, the fare is hard to document.
- Submit the claim to the transport operator, using its form or online procedure.
- Ask for money if you prefer cash to a voucher. Read the conditions of any voucher offered carefully, because its validity is limited.
- If the operator refuses, you can contact a conciliation body. For rail travel, this is the Schlichtungsstelle Mobilität.
Frequently asked questions
Does this also apply to buses and flights?
The rail rules apply only to rail journeys. Flights follow separate EU rules, explained in the article on flight delay compensation (in German). Buses are governed by a separate EU regulation. Always check which means of transport you used.
Do I have to prove the delay myself?
Proof always helps. Keep the ticket, the planned and actual arrival times and the route. If you are unsure whether the operator’s information is accurate, compare it with the real-time display at the time of your journey.
What if the train is cancelled?
A cancellation is not the same as a delay, but it affects your arrival. If you reach your destination significantly later than planned, the delay rule may apply. In regional transport, the rights to continue the journey under section 11 EVO come on top.
Does the rule apply to season tickets?
For season tickets, the regulation sets a rule for repeated delays that refers to the operator’s conditions. Whether your ticket falls under regional rules depends on the ticket itself and the transport conditions.
How long do I have to apply?
A general deadline cannot be stated reliably here, because the operator and its conditions set it. Ask about the deadline early, in the customer area or with customer service. If you wait too long, the claim can fail on a filing deadline.
Typical mistakes when applying
Many claims fail not because of the right itself but because of small details. The points below help you receive compensation without follow-up questions.
- The delay is measured at the destination. A delay at an intermediate stop alone is not enough.
- The claim is incomplete because the ticket or the travel date is missing.
- The deadline is missed because the claim is filed weeks later.
- A voucher is accepted without checking its validity and redemption conditions.
Write the claim factually and state the journey, the date, the route, the train number, the fare and the actual arrival time. Attach the evidence and keep a copy of the whole claim, so you can respond quickly to any queries.
Which fare counts?
The relevant amount is the sum you actually paid for the affected ticket. If you travelled with a reduction or a discount, the reduced price counts. For a journey with several tickets, it helps to calculate only the share attributable to the affected connection, so that the compensation is neither too low nor too high.
What you can do now
- Note the date, train, route and arrival time for every delay.
- Keep the ticket and a screenshot of the delay display.
- Check the deadline and the claim process of your transport operator.
- Submit the claim and ask for money if you prefer it.
- If the operator does not help, use the conciliation body.
Related articles
- Consumer rights in everyday life: protection against fraud and unfair contracts (in German)
- Flight delay compensation: what EU passenger rights mean (in German)
- Gift voucher expiry in Germany (in German)
- Right of withdrawal for online purchases (in German)
Sources:
- Article 19 of Regulation (EU) 2021/782, wording (gesetze.legal)
- Regulation (EU) 2021/782 (EUR-Lex), official text
- Section 11 EVO, additional rights for delays in regional rail transport (Gesetze im Internet)
- German Bundestag Research Service, WD 5 – 018/20 on the application of the passenger rights regulation in regional transport, status: 27 February 2020
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
