Vouchers: validity, redemption and limitation period

In short: A voucher (Gutschein) is a promise by the issuer to provide goods or services of the stated value when it is presented. How long it is valid and what happens when you redeem it depends on legal rules and the issuer’s terms.

In more detail: If a value voucher has no valid expiry date, the general three-year limitation period of the German Civil Code (BGB) normally applies, starting at the end of the year in which the voucher was bought. Courts have in many cases found very short deadlines in terms and conditions to be invalid.

In detail

• Value voucher and item voucher: A value voucher is for a sum of money, while an item voucher is for a specific product or service, such as a massage or a concert.
• Standard limitation period: Unless something else has been validly agreed, a voucher can usually be redeemed for three years from the end of the year of purchase (verjaehrung-im-zivilrecht).
• Time limits: A time limit is permitted if it is reasonable; particularly short deadlines can be an unfair disadvantage, which courts assess case by case.
• Vouchers for specific dates: If a voucher is tied to a fixed event or date, different rules often apply, because the service can only be provided at that time.
• No cash payout: There is normally no right to have the value of a voucher paid out in cash; with expired vouchers, however, there may be claims for compensation.
• Partial redemption: If only part of the value is used, the remaining balance can usually still be redeemed, unless something else has been validly agreed.
• Transferability: Most vouchers can be given away or passed on, unless they are explicitly issued to a named person.
• Insolvency risk: If the issuer goes bankrupt, the voucher usually becomes just a claim in the insolvency proceedings; so it makes sense not to leave vouchers unused for too long.
• Scam warning: Genuine authorities, banks and companies never ask to be paid with prepaid or gift cards; if someone pressures you to do so by phone or message, you are very likely dealing with fraudsters (enkeltrick-und-schockanrufe).