Loan for a round-the-world trip: Simple and fast to your dream budget
31/05/2025
10
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
The dream of a round-the-world trip is within easy reach for many, yet financing seems to be a major hurdle. However, with the right preparation and a digital approach, this project can be realised surprisingly quickly and easily. Find out how to set the course for your adventure in just three steps.
The topic in brief and concise terms
A loan for a round-the-world trip can be arranged quickly and easily through digital applications, often with disbursement within 48 hours.
The cost of a one-year trip around the world typically ranges between €12,000 and €25,000, so careful budget planning is essential.
A good credit score (SCHUFA score >95%) and taking out essential insurance, such as long-term overseas health insurance, are essential.
Budget planning: The financial foundation of your round-the-world trip
A solid financial plan is the first step towards the trip of your dreams. The costs for a year travelling around the world are often between 12,000 and 20,000 euros per person. This sum varies greatly depending on your travel style and the destinations you choose. A rule of thumb is to budget around 1,000 euros per person per month. To determine your exact requirements, a detailed household budget calculation for the loan application is essential.
Create a list of all expected expenses:
Flights and local transport (approx. 20-30 percent of the budget).
Accommodation (approx. 25-35 percent of the budget).
Food and groceries (approx. 20-25 percent of the budget).
Visas and entry fees (up to 500 euros depending on the choice of country).
Vaccinations and travel first-aid kit (often between 200 and 600 euros).
Insurance (approx. 400-500 euros for annual international health insurance).
Activities and unforeseen expenses (at least a 10 percent contingency).
A precise calculation not only shows the loan amount required, but also serves as proof of your careful planning for the bank. With a clear budget in hand, the next step, the loan application, becomes much easier.
Digital loan application: financing approval in under 15 minutes
The days of lengthy bank appointments are over. You can now apply for a loan for a career break entirely online. For a digital loan application, you usually only need a PC or a smartphone with an internet connection. The process is designed for efficiency: after entering your details, many applicants receive a provisional loan approval within minutes.
Verification is carried out conveniently via video identification, for which you simply need to have your identity card ready. Some providers even make it possible to waive the submission of payslips by using a digital account check. The final review and disbursement of the money can often take place within 24 to 48 hours if all documents are complete. This speed is a decisive advantage, for example to secure cheap early-bird flights. Digital processing makes it possible to realise the dream of travelling the world quickly and without tedious paperwork.
Optimising your credit score: How to secure the best terms
Good creditworthiness is the most important prerequisite for a loan on fair terms. In Germany, every bank checks your data with SCHUFA before granting a loan. A SCHUFA score of over 95 per cent indicates good to very good creditworthiness and significantly increases your chances of approval. Even small steps can improve your score.
You can take the following steps to improve your creditworthiness:
Service existing loans on time, as late payments are recorded negatively.
Cancel unused current accounts or credit cards to improve your financial overview.
Avoid frequent credit applications; instead, use a SCHUFA-neutral terms enquiry.
Request a free self-disclosure once a year so that incorrect entries can be corrected.
Our expert tip: A loan for any purpose offers maximum flexibility, as you can use the funds freely for flights, accommodation or insurance. Good creditworthiness is the key to securing the best interest rates for this and reducing the overall cost of your round-the-world trip.
The right loan: flexibility through an unsecured instalment loan
For financing a world trip, a classic instalment loan without a specific purpose is best suited. In contrast to purpose-bound loans, such as a car loan, you can use the money flexibly for all incurred costs. Repayment is made in fixed monthly instalments over an agreed term, giving you planning certainty. The interest rates for such loans often range between three and eight per cent, depending on creditworthiness and market conditions.
An online loan with an instant decision offers the advantage that you can quickly access the funds. When choosing the term, make sure the monthly instalment is affordable for you. A longer term does reduce the monthly burden, but it increases the total interest costs. A good compromise is often a term between 48 and 72 months. With the right loan model, nothing stands in the way of financing, but financial security goes beyond the amount of money alone.
Travel protection: Essential insurance for globetrotters
A loan for a round-the-world trip secures the budget, but what about unforeseen events? Comprehensive cover is essential for a long-term trip. The most important policy is travel health insurance, as statutory health insurance outside the EU often offers only inadequate protection. For trips lasting longer than 56 days, you need special long-term travel health insurance.
Additionally, you should consider the following types of insurance:
Travel cancellation insurance protects you against high cancellation costs if you are unexpectedly unable to take the trip.
Travel curtailment insurance covers the costs if you have to end the trip early for an insured reason.
Travel baggage insurance can be worthwhile if you are carrying expensive equipment such as cameras or laptops.
A careful check of your insurance cover before departure protects you from financial risks that can quickly exceed the loan amount. Expert advice, such as that offered by nextsure, helps you put together the right cover for your individual adventure. This means you are prepared for every eventuality and can enjoy your trip without a care.
Final steps: From confirmation to departure
Once the financing is in place and your insurance cover has been clarified, the final phase of your travel preparations begins. After the loan has been approved, the money is usually transferred to your account within one to three working days. Now you can book the first major items, such as long-haul flights or special tours. Create a checklist to keep track and not forget anything important.
Your final to-do list could look like this:
Sign the loan agreement digitally and wait for the payout.
Book important flights and accommodation for the first leg.
Apply for the necessary visas (allow processing times of up to eight weeks).
Take out insurance policies and back up all documents digitally.
Sublet or terminate your flat and pause contracts (e.g. mobile phone, gym).
With your financing secured and good organisation, nothing stands in the way of your dream any more. You have created the financial foundation to discover the world.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation checked free of charge and receive specific recommendations for optimisation.
More useful links
Wikipedia offers general information on the topic of round-the-world travel, including planning and execution.
The Federal Foreign Office provides comprehensive travel and security advice for various countries.
The Federal Foreign Office provides information on travel medicine and health precautions for overseas travel.
A list of the states for which a visa is required for entry into Germany can be found at the Federal Foreign Office.
The Federal Statistical Office provides statistics and information on the hospitality industry and tourism in Germany.
You can find an EXSTAT dataset on loans and online transactions at the Federal Statistical Office.
Tables and data on overindebtedness in Germany are provided by the Federal Statistical Office.
The Deutsche Bundesbank publishes statistics on interest rates and yields for consumer loans to private households.
Statista offers a topic page with various statistics and forecasts on credit and debt.
You can also find a statistic on loans to private individuals in Germany at Statista.
FAQ
What requirements do I need to meet for a round-the-world travel loan?
The basic requirements are being of legal age, a permanent residence in Germany, a German bank account, as well as a regular income and sufficient creditworthiness (positive SCHUFA record).
How quickly is a loan for a round-the-world trip disbursed?
With a fully digital application process with video identification and digital signature, payment can often be made within 24 to 48 hours after successful assessment.
Is a loan for a round-the-world trip earmarked for a specific purpose?
As a rule, an unsecured instalment loan is used for this purpose. This gives you the flexibility to use the money freely for flights, accommodation, meals and other travel expenses.
Can I also repay a loan for a round-the-world trip while I’m on the trip?
Yes, instalment payments usually begin in the month after disbursement and continue during your trip. Please ensure that your account has sufficient funds to cover the monthly instalments.
What impact does my SCHUFA score have on the loan?
Your SCHUFA score is a decisive factor in lending decisions and interest rates. A good score (above 95 per cent) signals a high level of creditworthiness and leads to better terms.
Which insurance policies are important for a round-the-world trip, apart from financing?
Long-term overseas health insurance is essential. It is also advisable to have travel cancellation and trip interruption insurance to protect yourself against high cancellation or rebooking costs.
