“In principle, applicants are entitled to reimbursement of travel expenses. This may also include overnight expenses (for example, if the interview takes place as early as 8 a.m. and you therefore have to travel the evening before due to the distance).
However, this only applies under two conditions:
1.The employer must have invited the applicant in writing to the on-site interview. In order to accept the invitation, you must therefore travel. Travel costs will inevitably be incurred. The written form, on the other hand, facilitates the burden of proof in the event of any disputes.
2.The employer must not have expressly excluded the assumption of costs with the invitation. This is not common practice, but it is permissible. And in this case, the travel costs must be borne by the applicant. However, this must be formulated unambiguously and, of course, must be done BEFORE the interview. The subsequent exclusion of the assumption of costs is inadmissible.”
Translated with deepL
Just the first two paragraphs from the site.
This website site is on the side of caution, I have found some more bold sources claiming 1. Class train is okay in many cases. So:
“[…]The following applies to the question of whether and which travel expenses the employer pays: It is better to ask BEFOREhand who reimburses what and how much of the travel expenses. This saves misunderstandings and trouble afterwards.”
I’m not sure of travel from a different country is covered.
As always in Germany of course you could take it to court/a lawyer if the potential employer should have covered your 1.class train ticket. But for me personally that’s not a risk I am willing to take.
You don’t need to get the job in order to have your travel costs covered.