---
title: "What is Timeshare? | Benefit Systems"
description: "A timeshare is a contractual right to use a holiday property for a defined period each year."
source: "aus dem gebauten HTML abgeleitet"
---
# What is Timeshare?

A timeshare is a contractual right to use a holiday property for a defined period each year.

Also called: Vacation ownership.

## How it works #

The purchase price is only part of the cost: annual management and maintenance fees continue regardless of use and tend to rise. Resale rarely recovers the original price. EU rules give buyers a withdrawal period and ban deposits during it, which is precisely why on-site sales presentations are built around signing immediately.

## Not to be confused with #

A timeshare is not the same as owning a holiday home: what is bought is a time-limited right of use, not real property.

## In German #

The German term is Teilzeitwohnrecht. [German version of this term](/de/glossar/teilzeitwohnrecht)

## Related terms #

- [Vacation rental](/en/glossary/vacation-rental): A vacation rental is an apartment or house let out short-term by a private or commercial host and booked through a platform rather than a hotel desk.
- [Hotel star rating](/en/glossary/hotel-star-rating): A hotel star rating is the classification of a property in stars, describing facilities and service by the criteria of the country concerned.
- [Refund](/en/glossary/refund): A refund is the repayment of the fare when a flight is cancelled or the passenger no longer wants to travel after a disruption.

## Articles that use this term #

- [Why your hotel bill is higher than the rate you booked](/en/knowledge/resort-fees)
- [How do hotel award categories work?](/en/knowledge/hotel-award-categories)
- [Can you cancel a booking for free?](/en/knowledge/free-cancellation)