Bahnverspätung
Guide & passenger rights
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Claiming compensation for a delay

Compensation does not arise by itself. This page explains what matters, which documents you need and how the claim works.

In short: For a delay of at least 60 minutes at the destination, 25 percent of the fare is usually provided as compensation; from 120 minutes, 50 percent. The claim must be submitted to the responsible transport company – usually via a customer account, the app or a form.

Please check: Which rules apply to your journey depends, among other things, on the type of ticket, the transport company and whether the journey is domestic or international. The information of the company you booked with is binding. The details here are for orientation only.

Requirements at a glance

For most claims, what matters is how much later you arrive at the destination of your booked journey – not how punctually the train left. Typical requirements are:

  • You hold a valid ticket for the affected journey.
  • The delay at the destination reaches the relevant threshold.
  • The disruption does not fall under a recognised exception.
  • The claim is submitted to the right company and with the necessary details.

Exceptions include, among others, circumstances the company could not influence – for example extreme weather, natural disasters or certain emergencies. The company decides in each individual case whether such an exception applies. If a claim is rejected on this ground, it is worth reading the reasons carefully.

Amount of compensation

On German rail services, the following rates are often provided for delays at the destination:

Compensation rates for a delay at the destination (usually applied on German rail services)
Delay at the destinationCompensation
from 60 minutes25 percent of the fare
from 120 minutes50 percent of the fare

The basis for the calculation is the price of the ticket actually used. Season tickets, saver fares, group tickets or international tickets can follow different rules. Very small amounts may not be paid out.

Beyond compensation, costs such as taxi, overnight stay or a replacement ticket may also be at issue. These are only covered under certain conditions. Clarify this beforehand if possible and keep all receipts.

Which documents you need

  • Ticket or booking confirmation – if the price is not printed on it, also proof of the price you paid
  • Reservation receipt, if you have one
  • Certificate of the delay, or your own notes with date and time
  • Receipts for replacement tickets, taxi, hotel or food
  • Order or booking number from the online purchase
  • Your bank details, if you want a payment

Tickets bought online can usually be found in the customer account with the provider. Do not delete booking confirmations until the process is complete.

The claim in five steps

  1. Check the delay Compare the planned and the actual arrival time at the destination and note the difference.
  2. Collect the documents Have your ticket, receipts and notes ready. A photo of the documents protects against loss.
  3. Choose the right way Many companies offer an online account or an app. Alternatively there are forms to print or to fill in at the counter.
  4. Complete the details Enter the travel date, the connection, the fare and the actual arrival time. Missing details often lead to queries and delays.
  5. Secure the confirmation Save the receipt confirmation or make a copy of the completed form. Note the date you sent it.

Where to submit the claim

The company you bought the ticket from is usually responsible. For Deutsche Bahn there are several ways:

  • via the customer account on the website or in the app, if the ticket is stored there
  • via the order search with the order number and surname
  • via a form to print, which is also available from staff on the train or at the counter
  • by post to the passenger rights service centre

Other providers – for example regional companies or journeys abroad – have their own procedures. If in doubt, ask at the ticket counter.

Rejection or no reply

Not every claim is processed straight away. If you have heard nothing after a few weeks or receive a rejection, proceed as follows:

  1. Check the documents Were all receipts submitted? A missing detail can be the reason for the rejection.
  2. Read the reasons Check whether the rejection is based on an exception, an incorrect calculation of the delay or missing proof.
  3. Ask in writing Request a clear explanation and refer to your documents.
  4. Consider conciliation If the dispute continues, an independent conciliation body may be responsible. The procedure is usually free of charge for travellers.

In any case, keep the entire correspondence. Deadlines for making a claim can differ from case to case – so do not wait unnecessarily long.

Example (simplified)

A traveller has a ticket costing 40 euros. Instead of arriving at 18:00, she reaches her destination at 19:25 – 85 minutes later. Under the rates above, compensation of 25 percent of the fare would be possible, here 10 euros. She submits her ticket, a screenshot of the departure board and a short description, and notes the date she sent it.

This example is deliberately simple. In practice, season tickets, partial journeys or exceptions can lead to a different result.

Official sources and contact points

The following bodies are authoritative for binding information. The details on this page offer orientation and do not replace the information of the company you booked with.

Note: This page is general information and not legal advice. Only the responsible company or a competent body can decide binding whether a claim exists and how large it is.

Editorial team: Bahnverspätung Ratgeber Last checked: 26 October 2026 General information, not legal advice