EU Passenger Rights (EU261) Explained
Applies to any flight departing the EU, and flights into the EU on EU airlines.
Last checked: September 2026
How much can you claim
| Flight distance | Potential compensation |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | 250 EUR |
| 1,500 - 3,500 km | 400 EUR |
| Over 3,500 km | 600 EUR |
Amounts last checked: September 2026. Airlines update their processes often, so confirm against the official source below before you claim.
When it applies
- Cancellation with less than 14 days notice, where no suitable rerouting was offered
- Arrival at the final destination three hours or more late
- Denied boarding against your will, usually because of overbooking
- Downgrading, which triggers a partial refund of the ticket price
When an airline can refuse
- Extraordinary circumstances outside the airline's control, such as severe weather, air traffic control restrictions or security incidents
- You were told about the cancellation far enough in advance
- The rerouting offered brought you within the allowed arrival window
- The flight is not covered by the regulation, for example a non-EU airline flying into the EU
Care while you wait
- Food and drink appropriate to the waiting time
- Hotel accommodation and transfers if you are stuck overnight
- Two phone calls, emails or equivalent communication
- A choice between rerouting and a refund when the flight is cancelled
Deadlines and escalation
Time limits for bringing a claim are set by national law and vary widely across member states, from around one year to several years. Claim as early as you can.
If the airline refuses and you disagree, escalate to the national enforcement body in the country the flight departed from.
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, and every situation is different. Always check the official airline or government information for your route before acting.