You cancel a Deutschlandticket subscription at the end of a calendar month, provided the cancellation arrives in time. Before the turn of the year 2026/27 this matters especially, because the monthly price rises from 1 January 2027. This guide sets out the deadlines, the permitted form and the special rules for the chip card, the HandyTicket and the paper ticket.
Short answer: A Deutschlandticket subscription can be cancelled monthly. The cancellation must arrive by the 10th of a month and takes effect at the end of that calendar month, in text form. If you want to cancel for 31 December 2026, you must therefore cancel by 10 December 2026. Source: general tariff terms, annex 4 (in German).
The key points
- The subscription is in principle open-ended and can be cancelled monthly.
- The cancellation must arrive by the 10th of a month and takes effect at the end of that month.
- The required form is text form.
- A cancellation received from the 11th of a month only takes effect at the end of the following month.
- For the paper ticket you must return the period ticket, otherwise the full monthly price is due.
- If a tariff change alters the conditions of use, a notice period of one month applies.
By when must I cancel?
The tariff requires the cancellation to arrive by the 10th of a month. It then takes effect at the end of the current calendar month. The table below applies this rule to typical dates around the turn of the year 2026/27.
| Cancellation arrives by | Subscription ends on | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 10 December 2026 | 31 December 2026 | cancellation for the end of 2026 |
| 11 December 2026 or later | 31 January 2027 | the cancellation moves into the following month |
| 10 January 2027 | 31 January 2027 | cancellation for the end of January 2027 |
| 11 January 2027 or later | 28 February 2027 | February is still charged |
What matters is that the cancellation arrives by the 10th. Ask for a confirmation or keep proof of sending, so that you can show when you cancelled if there is a dispute.
In which form must I cancel?
The tariff requires text form. This form requires a legible statement that can be permanently recorded, for example a letter or an email. Which routes the sales partner accepts is set out in its conditions or customer portal.
A cancellation by telephone does not satisfy the text form rule. If you are unsure, write the cancellation clearly and include your contract details so that there is no doubt.
What applies to the chip card, the HandyTicket and the paper ticket?
The three forms follow the same deadline but differ in their consequences. With the chip card and the HandyTicket, the right to travel ends once the cancellation takes effect. For the paper ticket there is an additional duty to return it: the period ticket must be returned up to the fifth day after the cancellation takes effect.
| Form | Cancellation | Special rule |
|---|---|---|
| Chip card | text form, by the 10th for the end of the month | travel right ends when the cancellation takes effect |
| HandyTicket | same deadline and form as the chip card | travel right ends when the cancellation takes effect |
| Paper ticket | text form, by the 10th for the end of the month | return within five days after the cancellation takes effect |
If you do not return the paper ticket in time, the tariff charges the full monthly price for each started month. The bill can therefore add up quickly if the return is delayed.
What happens with a tariff change?
If a tariff change also alters the conditions of use, such as the area in which the ticket is valid, the group of eligible people or the period of validity, the subscription can be cancelled with one month notice in text form. The regular rule for the 10th remains in place alongside it. You therefore have two routes, depending on what changes.
Whether a change reaches this threshold depends on the exact wording. Compare the new conditions with the old ones before you decide. According to the ministry notice, the price rise alone is not described as a further change to the tariff.
What should I watch for with payment problems?
The tariff also covers the case where a direct debit fails. If the account has insufficient funds or the direct debit mandate is revoked, the sales partner can cancel the subscription after setting a deadline and block the card or HandyTicket. According to the tariff, a returned direct debit costs 5.00 euros per transaction.
For the paper ticket the tariff provides a similar option. The customer can then return the period ticket or pay the outstanding amount in one sum up to the end of its validity. Payment in instalments is only possible if the period ticket is returned.
Worked example: what does the last month cost?
Assumption: you cancel on 25 January 2027. According to the table, the subscription then ends on 28 February 2027. You pay 66.80 euros for January and another 66.80 euros for February, a total of 133.60 euros.
Had you cancelled by 10 January 2027, the subscription would have ended on 31 January 2027. Only the 66.80 euros for January would then have been due. The difference of 66.80 euros arises solely from the cut-off on the 10th of the month.
Frequently asked questions
Can I cancel the Deutschlandticket immediately?
The tariff does not provide for immediate termination. The cancellation takes effect at the end of the calendar month. After cancellation the ticket is valid until the end of operations on the last day of the month, and at the latest until 3:00 a.m. the following day.
What happens if I cancel too late?
The subscription then continues into the following month. Without a cancellation, the ticket for the following month is offered for download from the 11th of a month. If you do not act in time, you will therefore pay for the next month.
Is there a subscription with a fixed term?
Under the tariff, the subscription is in principle open-ended and can be cancelled monthly. Alternatively, a fixed term of twelve months can be offered in combination with other passenger transport products. Check which variant your contract is before you cancel.
Who do I cancel with?
The tariff refers to the sales partner. This is usually the place where you took out the subscription. If you are unsure, ask there which route is intended and keep the answer.
Do I have to cancel because of the 2027 price?
The price rise alone does not require a cancellation. If you do not want to pay the new monthly amount of 66.80 euros, you can cancel by the 10th of a month. The background to the price is explained in our guide on the Deutschlandticket price for 2027.
What to do now
- Note the date of your next direct debit and the cut-off on the 10th of the month.
- Check whether you have a chip card, a HandyTicket or a paper ticket, because the consequences depend on it.
- Send the cancellation in text form in good time and keep proof of it.
- For a paper ticket, return the period ticket within five days after the cancellation takes effect.
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- What does the Deutschlandticket cost in 2027 and what changes?
- Why the Deutschlandticket costs more in 2027: the price formula
- Semester ticket 2027: what 40.08 euros means for students
- Cheap travel as a student: semester ticket and Deutschlandticket (in German)
Sources: General tariff terms for the Deutschlandticket, annex 4 (district of Tölz, copy without date, in German), Bavarian State Ministry for Housing, Construction and Transport: Price adjustment for the Deutschlandticket (status: 30 September 2026, in German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
