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Down payment on a package tour: how high is allowed?

When booking a package tour, a down payment is often demanded. But it may not be arbitrarily high. Case law has set limits so that travelers do not pay too much in advance before they even receive a service.

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Your chances of getting your money back

A down payment is permitted but may not be unreasonably high. According to case law, a down payment of usually around 20 percent of the travel price is still reasonable; significantly higher blanket down payments can be invalid (§ 307 BGB).
You generally have to pay the remaining price only shortly before the start of the trip, usually when the security certificate is available. Full advance payment long beforehand is usually not permitted.

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Check the down payment

    Compare the requested down payment with the travel price.

  2. 2

    2. Demand a security certificate

    Make sure a security certificate for insolvency protection is handed to you.

  3. 3

    3. Clarify the final payment

    Clarify when the remaining price is due (usually shortly before the start of the trip).

  4. 4

    4. Contest anything excessive

    Object to unreasonably high down payment or advance payment demands.

How to spot the scam

  • A very high down payment well over 20 percent is demanded.
  • The entire travel price is supposed to be paid long before the start of the trip.
  • No security certificate is handed over.

Frequently asked questions

How high may the down payment be?

A down payment must be reasonable. According to case law, a down payment of about 20 percent of the travel price is usually still permitted. Significantly higher blanket down payment clauses unreasonably disadvantage travelers and can be invalid (§ 307 BGB).

When do I have to pay the rest?

You generally have to pay the remaining amount only shortly before the start of the trip, usually a few weeks beforehand. The requirement is regularly that the security certificate for insolvency protection of the amounts paid in advance was handed to you.

What is the security certificate for?

The security certificate proves that your amounts paid in advance are protected against the operator's insolvency. Without it, you should not pay. It protects you from losing money if the operator goes bankrupt.

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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.