Germany

Can I get a refund if I cancel a travel package booked in...

Up to 100%
Refund if cancelled >30 days before start
€1,000+
Max statutory penalty for late refund (BGB §651i)
The Short Answer

Yes, you may be entitled to a partial or full refund depending on when you cancel and the terms — but cancellation fees apply under German law (BGB §651h).

What the Law Says

German law grants specific rights for package travel cancellations under the transposed EU Package Travel Directive (2015/2302) via §§651a–651m BGB. The rules apply to any 'Pauschalreise' — a pre-arranged combination of at least two travel services (e.g., transport + accommodation) sold at an inclusive price.

Under BGB §651h, travellers may cancel a package tour at any time before departure. However, the organiser may charge reasonable cancellation fees, scaled according to proximity to the start date — e.g., 10% up to 30 days prior, rising to 90% within 7 days (unless contract specifies otherwise, per BGB §651h(2)).

If the organiser cancels due to unavoidable, extraordinary circumstances (e.g., official travel warnings, pandemic-related border closures), you’re entitled to a full refund within 14 days (BGB §651j). Delays beyond this trigger statutory interest and potential compensation under BGB §288.

Statutory Text

The traveller may withdraw from the contract at any time before the start of the package travel. The organiser may claim compensation for lost profits...

— BGB §651h(1)
Statutory Text

Where the organiser cancels the package travel, the traveller shall receive a full refund of all payments made...

— BGB §651j(1)

What to Do

1

Review your booking confirmation and terms: Check if it qualifies as a 'Pauschalreise' (BGB §651a(2)) — non-package bookings (e.g., separate flight/hotel) fall outside these protections.

2

Cancel in writing (email suffices) citing BGB §651h and specifying your preferred refund method; keep proof of submission.

3

If the organiser fails to refund within 14 days of cancellation (or 14 days after their own cancellation), demand payment with statutory interest (BGB §288) and consider filing a complaint with the Reisegewerbeaufsicht (state travel authority) or Schlichtungsstelle für den öffentlichen Personenverkehr (szo).

Sources

statuteBürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) – §§651a–651mregulationEU Package Travel Directive (2015/2302)authoritySchlichtungsstelle für den öffentlichen Personenverkehr (szo)

Related Questions

When am I entitled to compensation for a cancelled flight?Can the tour operator change the hotel or itinerary after booking a package travWhat cancellation fees can the tour operator charge?My train was significantly delayed. Can I claim compensation?

Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-10-05.