How to claim Deutsche Bahn compensation
Passenger rights are law, not a goodwill gesture. Here is how to claim them through the official channels.
Use DB's official form first
The direct route: claim in the DB Navigator app or your DB customer account, or use the Deutsche Bahn passenger rights form (PDF). If DB refuses, file an objection and then contact the arbitration body Schlichtung Reise & Verkehr (söp).
Step by step to Deutsche Bahn compensation
- Online: DB customer account or the DB Navigator app (DB instructions, German).
- Paper: post the passenger rights form (PDF) to DB Fernverkehr AG, Servicecenter Fahrgastrechte, 60647 Frankfurt am Main (as printed on DB's passenger rights form (Feb 2025)), or hand it in at a DB travel centre. Other operators: EU form.
- Attach evidence: ticket, receipts. What helps as evidence.
- Refused? Objection to the Servicecenter Fahrgastrechte (DB information, German), then an arbitration request to söp.
Transport-association tickets (e.g. S-Bahn): your contract partner may be another company. DB overview (PDF, German).
Deutsche Bahn compensation rules
- Refund policy: amounts, limits, deadline
- Inconvenience policy: missed connections, 20-minute rule, assistance
- Accountability policy: proving a delay
- What happened? All cases at a glance
Legal basis: Federal transport ministry: rail passenger rights (German), EVO, DB conditions of carriage. As of 2026-11-14.