Payment Reversal (Chargeback) in Germany [Überweisung Zurückholen]

Key Takeaways

• Review your bank transactions regularly to check potential issues. If you find an issue, start the payment reversal process immediately.
• The earlier you initiate the chargeback, the better your chances of getting your money back.
• The recipient is legally required to return the money for unwanted bank transfers. However, some situations may exempt them from doing so.

This is how you do it

• If you encounter issues with “SEPA direct debits,” you can request a refund by writing to the bank or using the “return direct debit” function on your online bank account.
• For “bank transfer” issues, it’s best to stop an unwanted transfer before it’s executed. If the transfer has already been made, you may ask the recipient to return the amount or request a “transfer recall (Überweisungsrückruf)” from the bank.
• For erroneous or fraudulent credit card transactions, you must submit a complaint form to the bank that issued your card.

Table of Contents

Bank accounts are essential to daily life in Germany, from grocery shopping and bill payments to leisure activities. However, sometimes your bank transactions don’t go as planned.

• Wrong SEPA direct debit transaction
• Transferred funds to the wrong bank account number
• Unexpected expenses on credit card statement

Fortunately, there are possible ways to retrieve unwanted payments or transfers. This process, usually referred to as a “chargeback” or a payment reversal (überweisung zurückholen), can help return the money to your bank account.

In Germany, there are two other types of payment reversal: “Authorisation reversal” and “Refund.” In this guide, we’ll focus on “Chargeback.”

How do you reverse a bank transaction in Germany?

The process for requesting a refund from your bank differs depending on the type of bank transaction. There are three main types of bank transactions in Germany.

• SEPA direct debit
• Bank transfer
• Credit card transactions

Let’s see how you can request a “Chargeback” for different types of transactions.

We find C24 Bank’s* free checking account to be the best in Germany. However, it offers services only in German. If English service is important for you, N26* and Revolut are other options.

Open a free bank account with C24 (Smartkonto)

• Best free bank account in Germany
• 1.75% interest on checking account
• 2% interest on daily account (Tagesgeldkonto)
• 0.05% cashback on every transaction
• 4 free ATM withdrawals worldwide

Go to C24*

Open a free bank account with N26 (Standard)

• Free bank account
• 1% interest on savings account
• 2 free ATM withdrawals in Germany
• Free trading account

Go to N26*

SEPA direct debit

What is a SEPA direct debit (SEPA Lastschrift)?

SEPA Direct Debit (SEPA Lastschrift) is a widely used payment method in Germany. In this method, the customer authorizes the merchant or a business to pull money directly from their bank account.

How can you request a payment reversal for unwanted SEPA direct debits?

Yes, you can request a refund from your bank for an unintended SEPA direct debit transaction. You don’t have to provide any reason or pay a fee.

The deadline for requesting a refund depends on the nature of the direct debit:

• Within eight weeks for authorized payments (§ 675x IV BGB). This means a SEPA direct debit mandate is in place.
• Within 13 months for unauthorized payments. These are the cases where no SEPA direct debit mandate was in place.

NOTE: The time starts from the day the direct debit is processed. After these deadlines, you can no longer get a refund.

You can request a “SEPA direct debit transaction” refund via two methods:

• Request payment reversal via online bank access. Select the “Return direct debit” option in your online banking. This function is usually displayed next to the direct debit details.
• Request a payment reversal in writing. Submit a written request containing the following details:
  • Date of the direct debit 
  • Amount debited
  • Name and IBAN of the person or company debiting the money
  • Mandate reference

You can find all the details by clicking on the SEPA direct debit transaction you want to reverse.

How can you revoke the SEPA direct debit mandate (SEPA Lastschriftmandat)?

SEPA direct debit is a “direct debit system” where payments are taken directly from customers’ accounts. The merchant initiates SEPA direct debits, not the customer. 

The customer authorizes the merchant to debit their account directly by signing a document called “SEPA Lastschriftmandat.” 

If you want to revoke the “SEPA direct debit mandate,” you must inform the merchant in writing. Our sample letter can help you do this.

If the merchant continues to charge money from your bank account after revocation, you have until 13 months to claim your money back.

SEPA Direct Debit Revocation Letter – Free Download

• You can revoke SEPA direct debit anytime
• You must inform the merchant in writing about the revocation
• You can request the debited money back from your bank
• We have written the letter in English and German

Free Download

Bank transfer

What is a bank transfer?

As the term suggests, a bank transfer is a transfer of funds from one bank to another.

How do you reverse a bank transfer?

You can also request a refund from your bank if you encounter issues or errors during a bank transfer. However, reversing a bank transfer is not as easy as reversing a direct debit transaction. 

Stop a bank transfer if the money has not yet reached the recipient’s bank

Suppose you made a bank transfer and realize you mistyped the amount or account number. There is still a chance to stop the transfer before the amount is credited to the recipient’s bank account.

• Bank transfer to an invalid IBAN. The bank will send you an error message. No funds will be transferred.
• Bank transfer to a valid IBAN. Contact your bank immediately to request that they stop the transaction. The chances of stopping a paper-based transfer are better than those of digital transfers.

Request payment reversal if the transaction has already been completed

If the money has already been credited to the recipient’s bank account, it may be difficult to get a refund. The reason is your bank doesn’t have access to the money anymore.

However, you can still request a refund.

According to German Law (§ 812 BGB), the recipient must return the money mistakenly transferred to their account.

Even if the recipient has used the money to pay off their debts and no longer has it, they are still legally required to return the amount.

Here are the steps you may take to initiate the refund:

• Reach out to the recipient.
  • Ask the recipient directly to return the money if they are someone you know.
  • If the recipient is someone you don’t know, request a “transfer recall” (Überweisungsrückruf) from your bank. Your bank will contact the receiving bank and request that the recipient return your funds.
• Take legal action if the recipient refuses to return the money.
  • After a transfer recall, the bank is obligated to give you the recipient’s address so you can file a complaint.
  • The outcome will depend on a case-to-case basis. Certain situations may exempt the recipient from returning the money (Section 818, Paragraph 3 of the German Civil Code).

NOTE: The amount you transferred determines whether it is worth taking legal action. Filing a lawsuit for transactions lower than 100€ is usually not worth it.

Fees for requesting a chargeback for a bank transfer

Some banks charge fees for the return service. Here is the list of banks and the fee they charge for requesting the reversal of a bank transfer.

It is not advisable to proceed with the refund if the amount is smaller than the return service fee.

Credit card transaction

What is a credit card (Kreditkarte)?

A classic credit card (Kreditkarte) allows you to pay for goods or services on credit. Your purchases are billed at the end of each month. 

You can compare free credit cards here.

The credit card statements you receive must be reviewed regularly.  If you find any issues, you can file a complaint for reasons such as:

• Excessive or duplicate payments (e.g., in shops, restaurants)
• Undelivered goods (e.g., online orders paid via credit card)
• Credit card fraud 

How do you request a chargeback for a credit card payment?

The chargeback for a credit card payment must be initiated within 120 days from the transaction date. 

Here are the steps for a credit card refund:

1. If possible, contact the recipient directly to ask for a refund. It is advisable to communicate in writing or via email, as this serves as supporting evidence. For example, suppose you buy something from Amazon but never receive it. In this case, it’s best to contact Amazon directly for a refund.
2. Request a chargeback if the recipient refuses to refund the money or for a fraudulent transaction. To request a chargeback, you must fill out the corresponding form from the bank that issued the credit card. You can find the form online or in printed forms at your bank. You should include the following details:
   • Disputed amount
   • Reasons for the refund

NOTE: The bank may request supporting documents (e.g., invoices, correspondence) if necessary.

After you have initiated a chargeback, three parties will be involved in the process.

• Your card-issuing bank
• Your credit card company (e.g., Mastercard or Visa)
• The recipient’s bank

This is what the process between the banks will look like:

1. Your card-issuing bank sends your chargeback request to the credit card company.
2. The credit card company forwards the request to the recipient’s bank for verification.
3. The recipient’s bank asks the recipient for a statement.
4. The card-issuing bank and the recipient’s bank will determine if the reason for the chargeback is valid.
5. If the banks’ opinions differ, the card company may act as an intermediary.
6. Once the chargeback is justified, the banks will reverse the payment transaction, and you’ll receive a refund.

How much are the fees for a credit card chargeback?

Banks typically do not charge fees for credit card complaints. This was stipulated by a ruling from the Cologne Regional Court (dated August 16, 2000, case number 26 O 30/00)

However, this may change in the future. So, always confirm the fees with your bank before initiating the chargebacks.

When should you block your credit card?

Suppose the disputed credit card transaction was an error or an accidental double booking. You don’t need to block your credit card.

However, if you are unsure about the cause of the erroneous transaction or suspect fraud, you must block your credit card immediately. You can do so by logging in or calling the bank’s customer care.