GermanyWhat compensation can I claim for ruined vacation?
You can claim price reduction, reimbursement of wasted vacation time (entgangene Urlaubsfreude), and material damages — unless the defect was caused by you, an unforeseeable third party, or unavoidable extraordinary circumstances.
What the Law Says
Under German law, travelers on package tours (Pauschalreisen) have strong rights when things go wrong. BGB § 651n governs compensation for travel defects — including ruined vacations — and sets out when and how much you can claim.
If your package tour is substantially impaired or completely ruined — for example, due to a hotel collapse, flight cancellations with no alternative, or severe illness from unsafe food — you may claim more than just a price reduction or cancellation refund. You can also demand monetary compensation for the lost vacation experience itself (so-called 'entgangene Urlaubsfreude').
However, the tour operator is not liable if the problem was caused by you, by a third party outside their control (e.g., an airline strike they couldn’t foresee or prevent), or by unavoidable, extraordinary circumstances (e.g., natural disasters or sudden border closures).
Importantly, compensation must be paid 'unverzüglich' — meaning without undue delay — once liability is established.
Statutory TextDer Reisende kann unbeschadet der Minderung oder der Kündigung Schadensersatz verlangen, es sei denn, der Reisemangel ist vom Reisenden verschuldet, ist von einem Dritten verschuldet, der weder Leistungserbringer ist noch in anderer Weise an der Erbringung der von dem Pauschalreisevertrag umfassten Reiseleistungen beteiligt ist, und war für den Reiseveranstalter nicht vorhersehbar oder nicht vermeidbar oder wurde durch unvermeidbare, außergewöhnliche Umstände verursacht.
— BGB § 651n (1) — German Civil Code
Statutory TextWird die Pauschalreise vereitelt oder erheblich beeinträchtigt, kann der Reisende auch wegen nutzlos aufgewendeter Urlaubszeit eine angemessene Entschädigung in Geld verlangen.
— BGB § 651n (2) — German Civil Code
Statutory TextWenn der Reiseveranstalter zum Schadensersatz verpflichtet ist, hat er unverzüglich zu leisten.
— BGB § 651n (3) — German Civil Code
What Courts Have Said
German courts confirm that ruined vacations entitle travelers to both material and non-material compensation — including for the intangible loss of vacation enjoyment.
The Federal Court of Justice ruled that travelers whose package tour was substantially impaired may claim immaterial damages for lost vacation enjoyment ('entgangene Urlaubsfreude'), in addition to a price reduction or reimbursement of expenses.
What to Do
Report the defect in writing to the tour operator immediately — ideally before returning home, and no later than 30 days after the trip ends.
Keep evidence: photos, emails, official reports (e.g., from hotels or local authorities), medical certificates, receipts for extra costs.
Submit a formal written claim specifying the defect, its impact, and the compensation sought (e.g., €X for lost enjoyment + €Y for extra transport).
If the operator refuses or delays, escalate to the German Travel Industry Association (DRV) arbitration board or file a lawsuit within three years.
Sources
Related Questions
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: June 2026.