Overview: Deutsche Bahn pays €156 million in compensation for delays in 2025
In 2025 Deutsche Bahn paid more than €156 million in compensation to long-distance passengers (Fernverkehr) because of delays and train cancellations. That amount is noticeably lower than the nearly €197 million paid in 2024. Company management attributes much of the drop to the absence of large special events such as strikes, but the payments still represent a significant financial burden for the operator.
Statement from management
Michael Peterson, board member responsible for long-distance services, noted that the reduction is largely due to the fact that there were no major special events like strikes in the past year. He also emphasized that, despite this, the total remains a heavy financial strain for Deutsche Bahn.
Numbers and claims: how many passengers filed and how much was paid
In 2025 around 6.2 million compensation claims were submitted by passengers. Compared with 2019—when compensation payments totaled €52.6 million—both the number of claims and the total amounts have roughly tripled. A large share of claims are filed digitally.
| Year | Compensation paid (€) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 52,600,000 | Baseline comparison |
| 2024 | ~197,000,000 | Higher due to special events |
| 2025 | 156,000,000+ | Fewer large events like strikes; 6.2 million claims |
How compensation is calculated
Passenger compensation in long-distance travel is paid based on delay length: for delays of 60 minutes or more passengers receive 25% of the one-way fare, and for delays of 120 minutes or more they receive 50% of the one-way fare. These rules make it straightforward to understand expected refunds when trains are late or cancelled.
Punctuality, delays and traveler experience
Punctuality remains a challenge in long-distance rail. In February the on-time rate for long-distance trains was only 59.4 percent, and passenger punctuality was reported at 65.3 percent. Even without major strikes, these figures show that many travelers still experience delays.
Passenger impact and practical tips
- File claims quickly: about 76% of compensation requests are submitted digitally.
- Expect fast processing in many cases: roughly half of all claims are processed within two days.
- Know the thresholds: 60 minutes gives 25% of the one-way fare; 120 minutes gives 50%.
- Keep tickets and receipts: having clear booking details speeds up refunds and digital processing.
What this means for passengers and Deutsche Bahn
For passengers, the compensation system provides predictable refunds for long delays, and the growing share of digital claims makes it easier to get money back quickly. For Deutsche Bahn, even with fewer extraordinary events like strikes, the volume of claims and total payouts remain substantial—highlighting the ongoing challenge of improving punctuality and reducing cancellations in long-distance travel.
