Civil Code Article 249
This English translation was last updated on 2021-01-20, but the Chinese text was amended on 2026-08-17. Later amendments may not be reflected in the translation — please refer to the Chinese text.
Unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties, the following rules apply to the earnest money:(1) When the contract has been performed, the earnest money shall be returned or treated as one part of the payment.(2) If the contract cannot be performed owing to a circumstance to which the party who gave the earnest money is imputed, such party shall not claim for the return of the earnest money.(3) If the contract cannot be performed owing to a circumstance to which the party who received the earnest money is imputed, such party shall return double amounts of earnest money.(4) If the contract cannot be performed owing to a circumstance to which neither of the parties is imputed, the earnest money shall be returned.
中文原文 民法第249條
定金，除當事人另有訂定外，適用左列之規定：
一、契約履行時，定金應返還或作為給付之一部。
二、契約因可歸責於付定金當事人之事由，致不能履行時，定金不得請求返還。
三、契約因可歸責於受定金當事人之事由，致不能履行時，該當事人應加倍返還其所受之定金。
四、契約因不可歸責於雙方當事人之事由，致不能履行時，定金應返還之。
一、契約履行時，定金應返還或作為給付之一部。
二、契約因可歸責於付定金當事人之事由，致不能履行時，定金不得請求返還。
三、契約因可歸責於受定金當事人之事由，致不能履行時，該當事人應加倍返還其所受之定金。
四、契約因不可歸責於雙方當事人之事由，致不能履行時，定金應返還之。