All about this insurance: Travel insurance
Which travel insurance do I need if I live in Germany?
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When is trip cancellation insurance worth it?
In short
Trip cancellation insurance (Reiserücktrittsversicherung) makes sense if you book expensive trips well in advance or could not afford high cancellation fees yourself. For a single trip it usually costs 3 to 8 percent of the price, an annual policy about EUR 40 to 125. For cheap trips booked at short notice you usually do not need it.
What it costs
Published examples and ranges, 2026.
| Example | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Single trip, share of the trip price | about 3 to 8 percent |
| Trip for EUR 2,500, single policy, age 28 | about EUR 97 to 170 |
| Annual policy, one person | about EUR 40 to 125 a year |
Guide values as of September 2026. Age, trip price and deductible change the premium.
Worked example
Family, package holiday for EUR 4,000, booked in January for August
What does the cover cost and what is at stake?
| Insurance for the trip, about 4 percent | about EUR 160 |
| Cancellation two weeks before departure, about 60 percent | about EUR 2,400 |
| Deductible, if agreed | often 20 percent of the loss |
Without insurance the family pays the full cancellation fee. With insurance and a deductible about EUR 480. Worked example with guide values.
When it pays off
The earlier you book and the more expensive the trip, the higher the cancellation fees. Shortly before departure, tour operators often charge 50 to 90 percent of the price.
Families with children, older travellers and people caring for relatives are more likely to have to cancel at short notice.
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Package holiday from about EUR 1,500, booked early | sensible |
| Several trips a year | consider an annual policy |
| Cheap flight or city break | usually not needed |
| Booked at short notice, free cancellation | not needed |
What is different if you live far from home
Many expats fly home once or twice a year, often on long-haul tickets booked months ahead. That makes an annual policy worth a look. A sudden illness of a parent in your home country usually counts as a reason, as long as they are a close relative under the terms.
Unlike in the US, where trip insurance often bundles medical cover, German policies usually split cancellation, trip interruption and travel health insurance into separate modules. Check which ones you actually have. Many German bank cards include some trip cancellation cover, often only if you paid for the trip with that card.
What is covered and what is not
Unexpected reasons are covered: sudden serious illness, accident, death of a close relative, losing your job. You usually need a doctor's certificate.
Fear, lack of interest or illnesses you already knew about are not covered. If you cancel too late, you usually only get the costs that would have applied had you cancelled at once.
Think about trip interruption too
Trip cancellation insurance pays before you leave. If you have to come home early because of illness, you need trip interruption insurance (Reiseabbruchversicherung), often sold as a package.
Step by step
- Look at the trip price and the operator's cancellation fee scale.
- Check whether a bank card already gives you cover.
- Count your trips per year: single or annual policy?
- Take out the insurance when you book.
- If something happens, cancel at once and get a doctor's note.
Checklist
- Sum insured covers the full trip price
- Fellow travellers included
- Trip interruption covered
- Deductible known
- Mental illness and pandemics checked in the terms
Common mistakes
- Cancelling too late and paying part of the fees yourself
- Choosing a sum insured below the trip price
- Hiding known pre-existing conditions
- Paying twice for cover you already have with a bank card
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Until when can I take out trip cancellation insurance?
Often when you book or within 14 to 30 days after. Shortly before departure usually not.
Does it pay if my child falls ill?
Yes, if the child is insured or counts as a close relative.
Does it pay if a parent in my home country falls ill?
Usually yes, if parents count as close relatives in the terms and the illness is sudden and serious.
Is trip cancellation included in my bank card?
With some cards yes, often only if you paid for the trip with the card.
Is there a deductible?
Often, about 20 percent of the loss. Policies without a deductible cost more.
Do I need it for a cheap flight?
Usually not. The insurance then often costs more than it could save you.
Sources
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Related questions
Do I need travel health insurance when I live in Germany?
Yes, almost always if you have public health insurance in Germany. It pays only limited costs abroad and never the fli …
NAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH, insurance broker licensed under section 34d(1) of the German Trade Regulation Act, broker register no. D-C08Q-TOSD4-37. For boat and yacht insurance we act as underwriting agency, not as broker. Statutory disclosure (German) · Updated