Business Terms

1. Registration and payment of school fees

Registration forms will be considered according to the order in which they arrive on a first-come, first-serve basis. School fees are stated in our price list which is valid at the time of registration. The participant must bear the cost of all bank charges for the payment.
The entire course fee must be paid in full before the classes begin. If the invoice has not been paid by the beginning of the course or if the payment cannot be confirmed with a bank statement, we are entitled to cancel the contract immediately. In the unlikely case we have to cancel our course from our side, payments will be fully refunded. The participant has no right to any further claims.

2. Payment Terms

Invoicing and Due Dates

Invoices issued by BWS Germanlingua are payable in Euro (EUR) and must be paid within the period stated on the invoice.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing:

The non-refundable downpayment of EUR 200 is due immediately upon registration.
The remaining balance of all booked services must be paid no later than 14 days before the course start date.
For registrations made less than 14 days before the course start date, the full amount is due immediately.

Participants are responsible for ensuring that payments arrive in full and on time. Any bank charges, currency conversion fees, or transfer costs are borne by the participant.

Accepted Payment Methods

Payments may be made by bank transfer, credit card, debit card, cash, or other payment methods accepted by BWS Germanlingua at the time of payment.

Payment instructions and account details will be provided on the invoice.

Late or Outstanding Payments

If payment is not received by the due date, BWS Germanlingua reserves the right to:

refuse admission to classes or accommodation;
suspend ongoing services until payment has been received;
cancel the booking or contract; and/or
charge statutory default interest and reasonable reminder or collection fees where permitted by law.

Any certificates, confirmations of attendance, invitation letters, or other official documents may be withheld until all outstanding amounts have been paid in full.

Instalment Payments

Any instalment arrangement must be agreed in writing by BWS Germanlingua before the course begins.

If a participant fails to pay an instalment on time, the remaining outstanding balance may become immediately due and payable.

Refund Processing

Approved refunds will generally be processed within 14 to 30 business days using the original payment method where possible.

BWS Germanlingua is not responsible for delays caused by banks, payment providers, or international transfer systems.

Chargebacks and Payment Disputes

Participants agree to contact BWS Germanlingua first in the event of any payment dispute.

Unjustified chargebacks or reversed payments may result in administrative fees, recovery costs, suspension of services, and/or cancellation of the booking.

Taxes

Any applicable taxes or statutory charges will be included or separately indicated on the invoice in accordance with applicable law.

Reservation of Rights

BWS Germanlingua reserves the right to amend payment procedures, accepted payment methods, and administrative fees at any time, provided that such changes do not affect confirmed bookings retroactively and remain compliant with applicable consumer protection laws.

3. Security Deposit

BWS Germanlingua requires a security deposit of EUR 300 for stays in school-owned shared apartments and studio apartments.

The security deposit must be paid in cash on the first day of school unless otherwise agreed in writing by BWS Germanlingua.

This deposit serves as security for the repair or replacement of damaged apartment furnishings or equipment, lost keys, or other damages resulting from violations of the housing regulations.

The deposit will generally be returned on the last day of school in cash, provided that no damages, missing items, or outstanding obligations exist.

4. Accommodation Conditions

Accommodation bookings are generally based on arrival on Sunday and departure on Saturday. Additional nights may be available upon request and subject to availability and additional charges.

Accommodation is reserved for the period confirmed in the booking confirmation. Participants are responsible for informing BWS Germanlingua in advance of any changes to their arrival or departure dates.

If a participant wishes to change accommodation arrangements after confirmation or after the accommodation period has started, BWS Germanlingua may charge an administration fee of EUR 50 for each change request. Changes are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.

Once the accommodation period has started, no refunds will be granted for cancellations, early departures, unused nights, or changes initiated by the participant.

Participants are required to comply with all accommodation and house rules provided by BWS Germanlingua or the accommodation provider. These rules will be provided to participants for signature on the day of arrival. Serious or repeated violations may result in immediate termination of the accommodation without refund.

5. Cancellation, Withdrawal and Changes to Registration

Requests for changes to registrations must be submitted in writing. If changes are possible, BWS Germanlingua may charge an administration fee of EUR 50.

Consumers have the statutory right to withdraw from the contract within fourteen (14) days from the date of conclusion of the contract without giving any reason, in accordance with applicable European consumer protection laws and the separate withdrawal policy provided by BWS Germanlingua.

To exercise the right of withdrawal, the participant must inform BWS Germanlingua by means of a clear declaration (e.g. by email or via the online withdrawal button on the website).

If the participant expressly requests that services such as tuition, accommodation arrangements, invitation letter processing, university placement services, vocational training placement services, or other related services begin during the withdrawal period, BWS Germanlingua may commence performance of the services before the withdrawal period expires.

The participant acknowledges that invitation letters, university placement services, vocational training placement services, accommodation arrangements, and certain administrative services may create immediate costs and binding obligations towards third parties. Fees for services already provided, commissioned, or processed before withdrawal may therefore be retained or charged proportionally in accordance with applicable law.

After expiry of the statutory withdrawal period, the following cancellation conditions apply:

More than 30 days before arrival: no cancellation fee applies; however, the non-refundable downpayment of EUR 200 will be retained.
Between 14 and 30 days before arrival: a cancellation fee of EUR 200 applies.
13 days or less before arrival: a cancellation fee of EUR 500 applies.

Fees for invitation letters (EUR 80), courier services, visa-related services, and other third-party services are non-refundable once the services have been provided or commissioned.

The university placement service fee of EUR 700 includes application support and placement assistance for up to three universities.

The vocational training placement service fee of EUR 1,000 includes application support and placement assistance for up to three companies or vocational training providers.

Both service fees become non-refundable once the respective service has commenced, been commissioned, or application procedures with third parties have commenced.

If none of the proposed universities accepts the participant, BWS Germanlingua will reimburse EUR 200 of the university placement service fee. If a visa application is officially rejected after the university placement process has been completed, BWS Germanlingua will reimburse EUR 200.

If none of the proposed companies or vocational training providers accepts the participant, BWS Germanlingua will reimburse EUR 200 of the vocational training placement service fee. If a visa application is officially rejected after the vocational placement process has been completed, BWS Germanlingua will reimburse EUR 200.

If a participant does not arrive, arrives late, participates only partially, or leaves after the course or accommodation has started, no refund will be granted for unused services.

Any mandatory statutory consumer rights under applicable law remain unaffected.

All cancellations must be submitted in writing.

6. Insurance

School fees do not include any form of insurance. Participants are strongly advised to obtain their own health, accident, and liability insurance before starting their course.

BWS Germanlingua may assist in arranging insurance upon arrival.

7. Absence

If a participant is unable to attend classes due to illness or other circumstances, it is important to inform BWS Germanlingua by telephone or email, particularly in the case of one-to-one or online lessons.

For one-to-one and online lessons, a 24-hour cancellation policy applies. If notice is given at least 24 hours in advance, the lesson may be rearranged. Otherwise, the missed lesson will be forfeited.

Group lessons (standard, intensive, mini-group, evening courses, or additional bookings) that fall on a public holiday or are missed because of illness or similar circumstances will not be made up or refunded.

Course Participants / Class Length

If a standard or intensive group course has fewer than three participants, BWS Germanlingua reserves the right to reduce class length as follows:

Standard course: from 20 to 15 lessons per week;
Intensive course: from 25 to 18 lessons per week.

8. Schedule and closure

In high season, classes may take place either in the morning or in the afternoon depending on level and availability.

The school is closed on public holidays. Lessons cancelled due to public holidays will not be rescheduled or refunded.

9. Data Protection

Personal data is processed in accordance with applicable data protection laws, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Further information can be found in the Privacy Policy.

10. Liability

BWS Germanlingua shall be liable for damages caused intentionally or through gross negligence, as well as for damages resulting from injury to life, body, or health, and in all cases where mandatory statutory liability applies.

BWS Germanlingua shall not be liable for events beyond its reasonable control, including cases of force majeure.

Course participants are directly responsible for any damage they may cause.

Host families are independent third-party providers and are not employees or representatives of BWS Germanlingua. BWS Germanlingua acts solely as an intermediary between students and host families.

Accordingly, BWS Germanlingua shall not be liable for damages, losses, conflicts, incidents, or claims arising within host family accommodations unless caused intentionally or through gross negligence by BWS Germanlingua.

However, BWS Germanlingua will make reasonable efforts to assist as an intermediary between the student and the host family in order to help resolve disputes or accommodation-related issues amicably.

Participants are required to comply with the school and house rules in both the classroom and accommodation. These rules are handed out on the first day of school.

BWS Germanlingua reserves the right to dismiss any student whose conduct seriously violates these rules. In such cases, no refund will be granted for unused services.

Accommodation is selected carefully according to availability. Special requests regarding accommodation location will be considered whenever possible but cannot be guaranteed.

11. Complaints Procedure

Participants who wish to submit a complaint are requested to inform BWS Germanlingua as soon as possible so that an appropriate solution may be found promptly.

Complaints relating to classes, accommodation, or other services should first be addressed to the school administration during the participant’s stay or course period. BWS Germanlingua will make reasonable efforts to resolve the matter amicably and within a reasonable timeframe.

If the complaint cannot be resolved on site, the participant may submit a written complaint by email within 30 days after the end of the booked services. The complaint should include the participant’s name, booking details, and a description of the issue.

Mandatory statutory rights and legal remedies of the participant remain unaffected.

12. Use of Photos and Videos for Marketing Purposes

BWS Germanlingua may take photographs or videos during classes, events, or leisure activities which may be used for promotional and marketing purposes, including on the website, social media platforms, brochures, or other promotional materials.

Consent to the use of photographs and videos is voluntary and is not a condition for participation in courses or activities.

Participants may withdraw their consent at any time with future effect. The withdrawal must be submitted in writing by email to BWS Germanlingua. Upon receipt of the withdrawal, BWS Germanlingua will cease using the relevant content for future publications where technically feasible and reasonable.

Mandatory statutory data protection rights of the participants remain unaffected.

13. Governing Law

These Business Terms and all contractual relationships between BWS Germanlingua and the participant shall be governed by the laws of Germany, excluding mandatory consumer protection provisions of the participant’s country of residence where applicable.

14. Severability

If any provision of these Business Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected and remain in full force and effect.