In Germany, Gift Cards or vouchers for a monetary amount (known as “Wertgutscheine”) are subject to specific legal regulations regarding their validity and expiry. These are based on the German Civil Code (BGB) and apply in particular to restaurateurs who issue or redeem vouchers.

Legal validity of value vouchers

Three-year expiry period

Value vouchers are generally valid for three years. The period begins at the end of the year in which the voucher was issued (Section 195 BGB).
Example: A value voucher for a restaurant issued on March 15, 2025, can be redeemed until December 31, 2028.

Shorter limitation periods

A shorter period of validity may be agreed for vouchers if there are objective reasons for doing so.
Example: A restaurant issues a voucher worth €50 that must be redeemed within one year because the restaurant offers seasonal menus and food costs fluctuate greatly. A longer redemption period could be economically disadvantageous for the business.
An assessment of objective reasons is always a case-by-case decision. Periods shorter than one year are generally considered too short by the courts. (ihk.de/schwaben/produktmarken/beratung-und-service/recht-und-steuern/vertragrecht/gutscheine2-5658968)

Redemption and refund

Partial redemption

Vouchers can be redeemed in several steps if this is possible for the restaurant. With the orderbird voucher system, step-by-step redemption is possible. An updated voucher is printed for the remaining amount.

Refund if not redeemed

Refunds are not provided for vouchers and are at the discretion of the issuing restaurant. If the voucher is not redeemed before its expiration date, it simply expires.

Goodwill policies

After the expiration date, the right to redeem the voucher expires. Redemption after this date is only possible at the discretion of the restaurant.