Travel Agency and Tour Operator Registration

Tour operators and arrangers of linked travel arrangements must demonstrate insolvency protection before selling package holidays. This protects travelers' payments if the operator goes insolvent. The requirement stems from the EU Package Travel Directive, implemented in German law through the Travel Services Act.

Operators with annual package travel revenue over 10 million EUR must obtain insolvency protection through the German Travel Insurance Fund (Deutscher Reisesicherungsfonds, DRSF). Smaller operators can alternatively secure coverage through a private insolvency insurance policy. You must register with the DRSF or your insurer and provide a security certificate (Sicherungsschein) to customers with each booking. Operating without proper insolvency protection is a criminal offense.