Overview

• On June 3, 2025, the Bundesgerichtshof ruled that customers may only reclaim unlawfully charged fees from the past three years under the statute of limitations.
• The decision follows the April 2021 BGH finding that so-called Zustimmungsfiktionsklauseln in bank terms are unlawful and entitle consumers to fee refunds.
• A Verivox survey shows just 11 percent of affected customers have filed claims, citing high effort (23 percent), uncertainty over eligibility (21 percent) and low expected returns (14 percent).
• Studies indicate that at least 40 percent of account holders faced fee increases in the three years before the 2021 ruling, making a large pool of consumers potentially eligible for refunds.
• Consumer advocates warn that low public awareness and looming deadlines mean many clients must review their annual fee statements and file claims promptly to preserve their rights.