In its ruling of July 10, 2025 (case no. 6 UKI 14/24), the Frankfurt am Main Higher Regional Court ruled that Deutsche Bahn may not require customers to provide an email address or cell phone number when selling low-cost tickets. The ruling has a direct impact on many people, particularly older passengers or those who do not wish to use digital devices or online services.
For a long period of time, particularly cheap economy and super saver tickets could only be purchased as digital tickets. To obtain these, customers had to provide their email address or telephone number. This rule applied even if the ticket was purchased in person at the ticket counter - an electronic contact option was also a prerequisite for the purchase.
The Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt clarified that Deutsche Bahn had violated the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) with this practice. The judges stated that personal data such as an email address may only be collected if it is necessary for the actual purpose - in this case the conclusion of a transportation contract.
The rail journey itself is the subject of the contract, not the method of ticket delivery. This means that if a ticket can also be handed over at the ticket counter or in printed form, it is not necessary to provide an e-mail address or cell phone number.
This decision is particularly beneficial for people who do not have an email address, do not use a smartphone or find it difficult to use digital services. Older citizens in particular, but also many people who are not tech-savvy, were effectively excluded from access to affordable ticket offers by the previous regulation.
The court emphasized that mobility services such as train travel must be open to everyone, regardless of technical equipment or internet use.
Since the timetable change in December 2024, Deutsche Bahn has made it possible to purchase Sparpreis tickets at the ticket counter without providing personal contact details. Online, on the other hand, the entry of an email address remains a prerequisite, as the ticket is only provided digitally there. It remains to be seen whether this practice will continue in the future under data protection law.
Conclusion
With this ruling, the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court is strengthening the rights of consumers. It emphasizes that personal data may not be collected without a compelling reason - and that no one should be disadvantaged simply because they do not use digital means of communication. Access to affordable rail services must also be possible without an email address - a step towards greater participation and data protection in everyday life.