In the event of an expected delay of more than 60 minutes at the destination station (e. g. due to a severe delay or cancellation of your train), you can discontinue your journey or refrain from travelling if the journey has become pointless for you. In this case, you can have your ticket reimbursed.

Under the 2026 Deutsche Bahn (DB) and EU 2021/782 regulations, your rights are clearly tiered by the length of the delay. If you arrive at your destination 60 minutes late, you are entitled to 25% compensation of your ticket price; if the delay exceeds 120 minutes, you receive 50%. For cancellations or delays over 60 minutes, you have the right to choose between a full refund of the unused portion of the ticket or a re-routing to your destination at the earliest opportunity. In 2026, DB has streamlined this through the DB Navigator app, where you can submit "Passenger Rights" claims digitally with a few taps. If a delay forces an overnight stay, the railway must provide hotel accommodation and transport to the hotel. It is important to note that for "Force Majeure" events (extreme weather or strikes), compensation might be waived, but the "duty of care"—providing food, water, and alternative transport—always remains the responsibility of the carrier under modern German law.