EU Regulation 2021/782
Your train was late.
You are owed money.
EU law gives you the right to compensation. This page explains exactly when you qualify, what operators can and can't say no to, and how to get paid.
Get compensationWhen you CAN claim
These are your legal rights. No exceptions.
Train 60–119 min late
You get 25% of your ticket price back.
Train 120+ min late
You get 50% of your ticket price back.
Train cancelled
You get a full refund — or free rerouting to your destination.
Missed connection
On a through ticket, compensation is based on your total delay at the final destination — not just one leg.
Staff strikes
Strikes by the operator's own staff are NOT an excuse. You are still entitled to full compensation.
One rule: 90 days
Claim within 90 days of travel. Deutsche Bahn deletes journey records after 90 days — after that, your claim is gone.
When you CAN'T claim
These are the only valid reasons an operator can say no.
Delay under 60 minutes
Compensation only starts at 60 minutes of delay.
Compensation below €4
The minimum payout is €4. Very cheap tickets with short delays may fall below this. Fix: batch multiple delays into one claim.
True force majeure
Only events the operator truly could not have foreseen or prevented: extreme natural disasters, pandemics, serious security incidents. This bar is very high.
Filed after 90 days
All German operators apply a 90-day window. After that, the operator no longer has to respond.
What if they deny you?
A rejection is not the end. You have three escalation options.
Appeal to the operator
Write back, cite EU Regulation 2021/782, and explain why their rejection reason doesn't hold up. Most operators back down here.
söp — free mediation
The Schlichtungsstelle öffentlicher Personenverkehr is a free, independent mediator for German rail disputes. Operators almost always settle here.
Bundesnetzagentur — binding ruling
Germany's national rail regulator can investigate and force compliance. Their decisions are binding. Also free for passengers.
TrainOwed handles all three steps for you.
We appeal, escalate, and follow up until you're paid — or you owe us nothing.
Do it yourself vs. TrainOwed
You can always claim on your own. Here's what that actually looks like.
Do it yourself
TrainOwed
Find the right claim form yourself
We know every form and every operator portal — and fill it in for you
Figure out which operator is responsible
14+ operators in our database. We contact the right one, correctly, first time
Write a claim letter in German legalese
Professional claim submitted within 24 hours, citing the exact regulation
Wait, then chase the operator for a reply
Automated follow-ups until they respond. You hear from us when there's money
Handle rejection yourself (40% of first claims are rejected)
We appeal every rejection for free — this is where most claims are actually won
Escalate to söp or Bundesnetzagentur if needed
We escalate automatically if the operator still won't pay. Their rulings are binding
Give up when it gets too complicated
We don't give up. No win means no fee — so we're motivated to see it through
Cost: Free — but you keep 0% if you quit
25% of what we recover. €0 if we lose. You keep 75% of something real.
No win, no fee. 25% only if we recover.
Quick answers
Can I claim for regional trains (RE/RB)?
Yes. EU Regulation 2021/782 covers all rail services including regional trains. The same 25% and 50% rules apply.
Can I refuse a voucher and demand cash?
Yes. You have the right to receive compensation in monetary form. You are not required to accept travel vouchers.
What about Deutschlandticket delays?
You have the same rights. Because the ticket is a flat-rate pass, batch multiple delays together — if the combined amount exceeds €4, you can submit them as one claim.
Can I claim for missed connections?
Yes, if you had a through ticket. Compensation is based on the total delay at your final destination, not just one leg.
More questions? See the full FAQ →