How much can I pay in advance for my booking?

19-11-2025 – Many travellers pay (part of) their trip in advance. But did you know there are limits to how much you can pay when booking with a travel company that is a participant of the VZR Garant guarantee fund? Below, we explain how it works and why these rules matter.

Why are there limits on advance payments?

The VZR Garant guarantee fund protects your prepaid travel money if the travel company you booked with unexpectedly becomes insolvent. To do this effectively, the fund needs to know how much money in total falls under its protection.

The earlier and the higher the amount travellers pay in advance, the greater the financial risk for VZR Garant. That’s why there are clear limits on how much you can pay and when. This keeps the system fair, safe, and affordable for all participating travel companies and their customers.

How much can a travel company ask as a deposit?

The VZR Garant Guarantee Scheme sets the maximum amount that is covered by the guarantee:

• Up to 1 year before departure: a maximum of 10% of the total travel sum
• Up to 3 months before departure: a maximum of 50% of the total travel sum
• Within 3 months before departure: up to 100% of the total travel sum

If you pay in instalments, these amounts are added together. The “travel sum” is the total amount you pay for the agreement with your travel company.

What if a travel company asks for more?

A travel company participating in the VZR Garant guarantee fund should not ask for an earlier or higher advance payment. Never transfer a large amount upfront without checking whether it falls within these limits.

How can I check if my payment is covered by the guarantee?

If your travel company is a participant of VZR Garant, this will be clearly stated on their website and in your booking confirmation. You can also check it yourself here: View all participating companies.

If your travel company is listed, our guarantee applies to your booking — within the limits set out in our official Guarantee Scheme.

Why is this important for travellers?

All participants of VZR Garant contribute to one shared fund that protects travellers in case a connected travel company becomes financially insolvent. By limiting advance payments, the fund remains stable, managed responsibly, and affordable for all members.

In short: always check at the time of payment whether your deposit falls within these limits. That way, you know for sure that your payment is protected by the VZR Garant guarantee fund.

Have questions about your booking or payment?

Feel free to contact us — we’re happy to help.