Your Rights as a Rail Passenger in Germany

Which Law Covers You

EU Regulation 2021/782, which entered into force on 7 June 2023, is the primary law governing rail passenger rights across the European Union. It replaced the older Regulation 1371/2007 and significantly strengthened protections — particularly on compensation, assistance, and the exemptions operators can claim.

The regulation applies automatically across all EU member states. Deutsche Bahn and other German train operators cannot opt out or apply weaker national standards. If your train was late, cancelled, or caused you to miss a connection, this regulation is almost certainly the one that protects you.

Which Operators Are Covered

In Germany, the regulation covers all mainline rail services:

• Deutsche Bahn: (DB Fernverkehr, DB Regio, S-Bahn networks) — all services
• Flixtrain: — long-distance services
• Transdev, Abellio, Go-Ahead, and other regional operators: — all services on the German rail network

One exception: urban rail (U-Bahn, tram, metro) is not covered by EU Regulation 2021/782. The regulation applies to mainline rail only.

Cross-border services — ICE international, Nightjet, Thalys — are also covered as long as your origin or destination is in Germany.

Your Rights When Delayed

When your train arrives 60 or more minutes late at your final destination:

• 60 to 119 minutes late:: 25% of the ticket price for the delayed leg
• 120 minutes or more late:: 50% of the ticket price for the delayed leg

The delay is measured at your final destination, not at intermediate stops. Compensation is calculated on the price you actually paid, not a full-price reference fare.

If you are delayed more than 60 minutes at a station and the wait is expected to be long, the operator must provide meals and refreshments free of charge. If you are stranded overnight, they must arrange hotel accommodation.

Your Rights When Cancelled

If your train is cancelled, you have two choices and must be offered both:

• Full refund: — the total price you paid for the cancelled journey, returned to your original payment method
• Rerouting: — an alternative journey to your destination at no extra cost, taken at your convenience or at the earliest opportunity

You cannot be offered only a voucher. A cash refund is your legal right.

If you choose a refund and decide not to travel at all, you are also entitled to a return journey to your point of departure — useful if the cancellation has stranded you partway through a trip.

Your Rights When You Miss a Connection

Missing a connection is treated as part of the same journey when both legs are on a single ticket. If your first train's delay causes you to miss a connecting service:

• You are entitled to delay compensation based on the total delay to your final destination
• The operator must help you rebook the next available service at no extra cost
• If the missed connection means you cannot reach your destination the same day, overnight accommodation must be arranged

Booking both legs on separate tickets removes this protection. You would need to claim from each operator independently, and neither is responsible for the other service.

How to Enforce Your Rights

Step 1: Document your journey

Note your scheduled arrival time, the actual arrival time, and any announcements. A photo of the departure board is useful if a claim is disputed.

Step 2: Keep your ticket

You need proof of what you paid and for which journey. A digital booking confirmation is sufficient.

Step 3: File a claim with the operator

For Deutsche Bahn, use the online form at bahn.de under Fahrgastrechte. Most other German operators have their own claim forms on their websites. Claims must be submitted in writing.

Step 4: Wait for a response

Operators must respond within one month. If they reject your claim or do not respond, you can escalate.

Escalation: Bundesnetzagentur and SÖP

If the operator rejects your claim or does not respond within one month:

Bundesnetzagentur (Federal Network Agency)

The BNetzA regulates rail passenger rights in Germany. You can file a complaint at bundesnetzagentur.de. They cannot compel a direct payout, but they investigate systemic violations and apply regulatory pressure. Frequent complaints about the same operator trigger enforcement action.

SÖP (Schlichtungsstelle Öffentlicher Personenverkehr)

SÖP is Germany's free rail ombudsman. Filing a dispute is free and the process is straightforward. Deutsche Bahn and most other German operators participate in the scheme and are bound by the outcome. This is your most effective escalation path when an operator refuses to pay a valid claim.

EVZ (Europäisches Verbraucherzentrum)

If your delayed journey crossed a border and involved a non-German operator — ÖBB, SNCF, Eurostar, or others — the EVZ can help you enforce your rights internationally. Their mediation service is free.