Last updated:

No Ticket on a German Train: Fines, Surcharges and Your Rights (2026)

What is the fine for travelling without a ticket in Germany? How does the inspection work? And what if you simply forgot your ticket? All answers explained clearly.

60 EUR surcharge explained
Your rights
Forgot your ticket?
In brief

If you are caught without a valid ticket in Germany, you pay the Erhoehtes Beforderungsentgelt (EBE) of 60 Euro. If you forgot a personal ticket, you can submit it afterwards and only pay a 7 Euro processing fee. Deliberate fare dodging is a criminal offence under Paragraph 265a StGB.

How Much is the Fine? The EBE Explained

€60
Erhoehtes Beforderungsentgelt (EBE) – uniform nationwide surcharge

The EBE is not a criminal fine but a civil-law contractual penalty based on the transport company’s conditions of carriage. It applies to all transport in Germany: ICE, IC, regional trains, S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses.

Important: No ticket purchase from the conductor since 2022

In long-distance trains (ICE, IC, EC), buying a ticket from the train conductor has not been possible since 1 January 2022. The only exception: you can still buy a ticket digitally via the DB App up to 10 minutes after departure – provided more than 10 minutes of journey remain to the next stop.

How Does an Inspection Work?

  1. Inspector finds no valid ticket
  2. Your personal details are recorded
  3. A Fahrpreisnacherhebung (fare surcharge notice) is issued with a reference number
  4. You have 14 days to pay via db-fn.de, at a DB ticket centre, or by bank transfer

Regional vs Long-Distance: Key Differences

Feature Regional (S-Bahn etc.) Long-distance (ICE/IC/EC)
Inspections Random spot checks Systematic, every passenger
Buy ticket from conductor Sometimes possible Not since 2022
Surcharge 60 € 60 € + possible fare

Common Situations

Situation What happens Solution
Forgot personal ticket 60 € EBE initially Submit afterwards → only 7 € fee
Phone dead (mobile ticket) 60 € EBE initially Submit ticket → 7 € fee (goodwill)
Forgot group ticket (transferable) 60 € EBE final No retroactive submission possible
Ticket machine broken EBE issued Photo/receipt → good appeal reason

How to Appeal Against the EBE

You can lodge a written objection within 7 to 14 days of the inspection. Valid grounds include: broken ticket machine (keep photo/receipt), incorrect inspection, app/website technical error. If rejected, contact the independent Schlichtungsstelle Nahverkehr (arbitration body) free of charge.

What Happens If You Refuse to Pay?

  • Debt collection proceedings with additional costs
  • If deliberate: criminal complaint under Paragraph 265a StGB (fare evasion)
  • Fine or up to 1 year imprisonment for repeat offences

FAQ

How much is the fine for not having a ticket in Germany?
The EBE (Erhoehtes Beforderungsentgelt) is 60 Euro nationwide, the same on all trains. In long-distance trains the fare for the journey may additionally be charged.
Can I still buy a ticket on the train?
In long-distance trains (ICE/IC/EC): no longer possible since 2022. On some regional trains you can still buy from the inspector. Exception: you can buy digitally via the DB App within 10 minutes of departure.
What if I forgot my ticket at home?
If it is a personal (non-transferable) ticket, submit it at a DB ticket centre or via db-fn.de. You will then only pay the 7 Euro processing fee instead of 60 Euro. Transferable tickets (group tickets, regional day tickets) cannot be submitted retroactively.
Is fare dodging a criminal offence in Germany?
Yes, if intentional. Under Paragraph 265a StGB (Erschleichen von Leistungen – obtaining services by deception), the penalty is a fine or up to 1 year imprisonment. Accidental fare dodging is only a civil-law matter (60 Euro EBE).
Do I have to show ID without a ticket?
There is no general ID requirement on German trains. However, if you refuse to give your details without a valid ticket, the inspector can call the Federal Police (Bundespolizei), who will identify you by force.

Better book your ticket in advance

Cheap tickets from 17.99 Euro – book safely with Deutsche Bahn.

Book Ticket Now →

* Affiliate link. No extra cost for you.