GermanyCan I transfer my travel booking to someone else?
Yes, you can transfer your package tour booking to someone else in Germany, but only if you notify the tour operator in writing at least 7 days before departure and the new traveler meets all contractual requirements.
What the Law Says
German law allows travelers to transfer their rights and obligations under a package tour contract to another person — but only under strict conditions set out in § 651e of the German Civil Code (BGB). This rule applies specifically to 'Pauschalreisen' (package tours), not individual bookings like standalone flights or hotels.
You must give written notice — on a durable medium such as email, letter, or online form — to the tour operator. The notice must clearly state that a third party will replace you in the contract.
The notice is valid only if received by the operator no later than seven days before the trip starts. Earlier notice is always acceptable; late notice is not.
The operator may refuse the transfer if the new traveler fails to meet essential requirements — for example, lacking a required visa, failing health criteria for adventure trips, or not meeting age restrictions for certain activities.
If the transfer is approved, both you (the original traveler) and the new traveler become jointly and severally liable for the full travel price and any additional costs caused by the transfer — but only those that are reasonable and actually incurred.
The operator must provide you with written proof showing exactly how much extra cost was incurred and why it was necessary.
Statutory TextDer Reisende kann innerhalb einer angemessenen Frist vor Reisebeginn auf einem dauerhaften Datenträger erklären, dass statt seiner ein Dritter in die Rechte und Pflichten aus dem Pauschalreisevertrag eintritt. Die Erklärung ist in jedem Fall rechtzeitig, wenn sie dem Reiseveranstalter nicht später als sieben Tage vor Reisebeginn zugeht.
— BGB § 651e (1) — German Civil Code
Statutory TextDer Reiseveranstalter kann dem Eintritt des Dritten widersprechen, wenn dieser die vertraglichen Reiseerfordernisse nicht erfüllt.
— BGB § 651e (2) — German Civil Code
Statutory TextTritt ein Dritter in den Vertrag ein, haften er und der Reisende dem Reiseveranstalter als Gesamtschuldner für den Reisepreis und die durch den Eintritt des Dritten entstehenden Mehrkosten. Der Reiseveranstalter darf eine Erstattung von Mehrkosten nur fordern, wenn und soweit diese angemessen und ihm tatsächlich entstanden sind.
— BGB § 651e (3) — German Civil Code
Statutory TextDer Reiseveranstalter hat dem Reisenden einen Nachweis darüber zu erteilen, in welcher Höhe durch den Eintritt des Dritten Mehrkosten entstanden sind.
— BGB § 651e (4) — German Civil Code
What Courts Have Said
German courts have clarified that operators cannot impose arbitrary or flat-rate fees for transfers — only real, documented extra costs are recoverable.
The Federal Court of Justice confirmed that a tour operator may charge only reasonable, actually incurred additional costs for a booking transfer — not blanket administrative fees. Flat-rate charges violate § 651e(3) BGB.
What to Do
Notify your tour operator in writing (email counts) at least 7 days before departure — name the new traveler and confirm they meet all requirements.
Ask the operator in writing for confirmation of acceptance and a breakdown of any extra costs they plan to charge.
Keep copies of all correspondence — especially the operator’s written proof of extra costs, if charged.
If the operator refuses without valid reason (e.g., the new traveler meets all requirements), or demands unjustified fees, seek legal advice or contact a consumer center (Verbraucherzentrale).
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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.