Credit for a world trip: Easily and quickly achieve your dream budget
31 May 2025
9
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
The dream of a world trip is within reach for many, but financing seems a major hurdle. However, with the right preparation and a digital approach, this undertaking can be realised surprisingly quickly and easily. Discover how to set the course for your adventure in just three steps.
The topic in brief and concise terms
A loan for a world trip can be easily and quickly accomplished through digital applications, often with a payout within 48 hours.
The costs for a year-long world trip typically range between 12,000 and 25,000 euros, so precise budget planning is crucial.
A good credit rating (SCHUFA score >95%) and taking out essential insurances like long-term international health insurance are indispensable.
Budget Planning: The Financial Foundation of Your World Trip
Solid financial planning is the first step towards your dream trip. The costs for a year of world travel often range between 12,000 and 20,000 euros per person. This amount varies significantly depending on the travel style and chosen destinations. A rule of thumb suggests budgeting around 1,000 euros per person per month. To determine your exact needs, a detailed household budget for the loan application is essential.
Create a list of all anticipated expenses:
Flights and local transportation (approx. 20-30% of the budget).
Accommodation (approx. 25-35% of the budget).
Food and groceries (approx. 20-25% of the budget).
Visas and entry fees (up to 500 euros depending on country choice).
Vaccinations and travel pharmacy (often between 200 and 600 euros).
Insurance (approx. 400-500 euros for an annual overseas health insurance).
Activities and unforeseen expenses (at least 10% contingency).
A precise calculation not only highlights the required loan amount but also serves as proof of your careful planning to the bank. With a clear budget in hand, the next step, the loan application, becomes significantly easier.
Digital credit application: Get your 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 preliminary loan approval within minutes.
Verification is conveniently carried out via video identification, for which you simply need to have your ID card ready. Some providers even allow you to skip submitting salary statements through a digital account check. The final review and disbursement of funds can often occur within 24 to 48 hours if all documents are complete. This speed is a crucial advantage, for example, to secure cheap early bird flights. The digital process makes it possible to realize the dream of traveling the world quickly and without tedious paperwork.
Optimising creditworthiness: How to secure top conditions
A good credit rating 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 percent indicates good to very good creditworthiness and significantly increases your chances of approval. Even small measures can improve your score.
You can take the following steps to optimise your credit rating:
Make timely payments on existing loans, as payment delays are noted negatively.
Cancel unused current accounts or credit cards to improve financial oversight.
Avoid frequent loan inquiries; instead, use a SCHUFA-neutral conditions inquiry.
Request a free self-disclosure once a year to correct any erroneous entries.
Our expert tip: A loan with free use purpose offers maximum flexibility as you can freely use the funds for flights, accommodations, or insurance. A good credit rating is the key to securing the best interest rates and reducing the overall cost of your world trip.
The right loan: Flexibility with an unsecured installment loan
A traditional instalment loan without a specific purpose is best suited for financing a world trip. Unlike purpose-specific 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, providing you with planning security. Interest rates for such loans often range between three and eight per cent, depending on creditworthiness and market conditions.
An online loan with immediate approval offers the advantage of quickly having access to financial resources. When choosing the term, ensure the monthly instalment is manageable for you. Although a longer term reduces the monthly burden, it increases the total interest costs. A good compromise often lies in a term between 48 and 72 months. With the right credit model, nothing stands in the way of financing, but financial security goes beyond the mere monetary amount.
Travel Protection: Essential Insurance for Globetrotters
A loan for a world trip secures the budget, but what about unforeseen events? Comprehensive coverage is essential for a long-term trip. The most important policy is the foreign health insurance, as statutory health insurance often provides insufficient protection outside the EU. For trips lasting longer than 56 days, you need special long-term foreign health insurance.
Additionally, you should consider the following insurances:
Travel cancellation insurance protects you from high cancellation fees if you are unexpectedly unable to start the trip.
Travel interruption insurance covers the costs if you have to end the trip early for an insured reason.
Baggage insurance can be useful if you are carrying expensive equipment like cameras or laptops.
A careful review of your insurance coverage 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 protection for your individual adventure. This way, you are prepared for all eventualities and can enjoy your trip without worries.
Final Steps: From Acceptance to Departure
Once the financing is secured and insurance coverage is clarified, the final phase of your travel preparations begins. After the loan approval, 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 ensure you don't forget anything important.
Your final to-do list might look like this:
Digitally sign the loan agreement and await disbursement.
Book important flights and accommodations for the first leg.
Apply for necessary visas (please note processing times of up to eight weeks).
Get insurance policies and securely store all documents digitally.
Sublet or cancel your apartment and pause contracts (e.g., mobile phone, gym).
With financing in place and good organisation, nothing stands in the way of your dream. You've laid the financial foundation to explore the world.
Request your individual risk analysis now: Get your insurance situation checked for free and receive concrete optimisation suggestions.
More useful links
Wikipedia provides general information on the topic of world travel, including planning and execution.
The Federal Foreign Office offers comprehensive travel and safety advice for various countries.
The Federal Foreign Office provides information about travel medicine and health precautions for trips abroad.
A list of countries requiring a visa to enter 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.
An EXSTAT dataset on loans and online transactions can be found at the Federal Statistical Office.
Tables and data on the subject of over-indebtedness in Germany are provided by the Federal Statistical Office.
The German Bundesbank publishes statistics on interest rates and returns for consumer loans to private households.
Statista offers a theme page with various statistics and forecasts on the topic of credit and debt.
Statistics on loans to private individuals in Germany can also be found at Statista.
FAQ
What requirements must I meet for a world travel loan?
The basic requirements are being of legal age, having a fixed residence in Germany, a German bank account, as well as regular income and sufficient creditworthiness (positive SCHUFA entry).
How quickly is a loan for a world trip disbursed?
With a completely digital application process using video identification and digital signature, payment can often be made within 24 to 48 hours after positive verification.
Is a loan for a world trip tied to a specific purpose?
A personal loan without a specific purpose is usually used for this. It gives you the flexibility to freely use the money for flights, accommodations, meals, and other travel expenses.
Can I repay a loan for a world trip while I'm travelling?
Yes, instalment payments usually start the month after the disbursement and continue during your journey. Make sure 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 crucial factor for credit approval and the interest rate. A good score (above 95 percent) indicates high creditworthiness and leads to better terms.
What types of insurance are important for a world trip besides the financing?
A long-term international health insurance is indispensable. It's also advisable to have travel cancellation and travel interruption insurance to protect yourself from high cancellation or rebooking fees.
