stornogründe

Stornogründe is a German term that describes the grounds on which a contract, reservation, or service can be cancelled. The concept helps distinguish legitimate cancellation from breach and defines the circumstances under which cancellation may occur with little or no liability. It is commonly used in consumer and business contracts and is often specified in terms and conditions, booking policies, or service agreements.

Common categories of stornogründe include force majeure (such as natural disasters, war, or other extraordinary events), illness or injury with appropriate documentation, the death of a close relative, regulatory or legal changes that make performance impossible or illegal, and insolvency or withdrawal of the provider. Additional grounds may cover substantial changes to the contractual basis or performance, such as a material alteration of services or significant price increases. Overbooking, cancellation due to provider error, or failure to deliver promised capacity can also qualify as stornogründe in practice.

In practice, cancellation rights are tied to specific policies or tariffs. Many bookings allow free cancellation within a grace period or under defined grounds, while other cancellations may incur fees or forfeiture of prepaid amounts. Refunds and penalties depend on the tariff, the timing of cancellation, and applicable consumer-protection rules. In EU contexts, consumer protections for distance contracts and package travel regulations can influence which grounds lead to refunds or additional rights.

Procedural aspects typically require timely notice and, in some cases, supporting documentation (for example, a medical certificate). The party cancelling often bears the burden of proof for certain grounds, and providers may impose a cancellation fee (Stornogebühr) if the cancellation falls outside free-policy grounds.

Stornogründe are most commonly relevant in travel, hospitality, events, subscriptions, and rental agreements.