Complete EU261 Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Your Rights

Millions of passengers travel to, from, and within Europe every year. Yet flight disruptions remain a frequent problem — from long delays and sudden cancellations to denied boarding due to overbooking. What many travelers still don’t realize is that European law provides one of the strongest passenger protection frameworks in the world: EU Regulation 261/2004, commonly known as EU261.

This comprehensive guide explains who qualifies for compensation, how much you can claim, when airlines are not required to pay, and how to maximize your chances of a successful claim.

What Is EU261?

EU261 is a European Union regulation that protects air passengers in cases of:

Flight delays
Flight cancellations
Denied boarding (overbooking)
Missed connections caused by earlier delays

The regulation applies if:

Your flight departs from an EU country (regardless of airline), or
Your flight arrives in the EU and is operated by an EU-based airline.

Even after Brexit, UK passenger rights remain largely aligned under UK261, which mirrors the EU framework.

When Are You Eligible for Compensation?

Eligibility depends on three main factors:

1. Length of Delay

You may qualify if your arrival delay exceeds three hours at your final destination.

It’s important to note that compensation is calculated based on arrival time — not departure delay.

2. Responsibility of the Airline

The disruption must be within the airline’s control. Examples include:

Technical faults
Crew shortages
Operational problems
Aircraft rotation issues

If the airline claims “extraordinary circumstances,” compensation may not apply. These include:

Severe weather
Airport strikes (not airline staff strikes)
Political instability
Air traffic control restrictions

However, airlines often broadly interpret “extraordinary circumstances,” and not every weather or technical issue qualifies as such.

3. Valid Ticket and Check-In

You must have:

A confirmed booking
Checked in on time
Traveled on a paid fare (reward tickets may still qualify in many cases)

How Much Compensation Can You Claim?

Compensation amounts are fixed and based on flight distance — not ticket price.

€250 for flights up to 1,500 km
€400 for flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km
€600 for flights over 3,500 km

For long-haul flights between the EU and non-EU countries, compensation can sometimes be reduced to €300 if the arrival delay is under four hours.

This compensation is paid per passenger. A family of four on a long-haul flight could potentially claim up to €2,400.

What About Flight Cancellations?

If your flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure, you may be entitled to compensation unless:

You were informed more than 14 days in advance
The airline offers a suitable alternative flight within specific timing limits
Extraordinary circumstances apply

Airlines must also provide care and assistance, including:

Meals and refreshments
Hotel accommodation (if overnight stay is necessary)
Transportation between airport and hotel
Two free communications (calls or emails)

Importantly, your right to care applies even if extraordinary circumstances prevent compensation.

Denied Boarding and Overbooking

Airlines sometimes sell more tickets than available seats. If you are involuntarily denied boarding due to overbooking, you are almost always entitled to compensation under EU261.

If you voluntarily give up your seat in exchange for benefits (voucher, miles, etc.), compensation may not apply unless separately agreed.

Missed Connections

If you booked connecting flights under a single reservation and miss your connection due to a delay on the first leg, compensation may apply if:

The total arrival delay exceeds three hours
The delay was caused by the airline

Even if the disruption occurred outside the EU, you may still qualify if your journey began in the EU.

How to File an EU261 Claim

Passengers have two main options:

1. Claim Directly from the Airline

You can submit a claim via the airline’s website. Include:

Booking reference
Boarding pass
Flight details
Description of the disruption

Airlines often respond within weeks, but rejections are common — sometimes citing extraordinary circumstances.

2. Use a No Win, No Fee Claim Service

Specialized flight compensation services assess eligibility and pursue claims on your behalf. They typically charge a success fee (often 20–35%) but handle legal escalation if necessary.

For complex cases or airline disputes, this route can increase success rates.

How Long Do You Have to Claim?

The time limit depends on the country governing the claim. In many EU countries, passengers have between 2 and 6 years to file a claim.

For example:

Germany: 3 years
France: 5 years
Spain: 5 years
UK: 6 years

This means even past disruptions may still be claimable.

Common Airline Tactics to Watch Out For

Passengers often encounter the following responses:

“Extraordinary circumstances” without detailed explanation
Technical issue described as unavoidable
Weather claims affecting earlier rotations
Vouchers offered instead of cash

Remember: You are entitled to cash compensation. Vouchers must be accepted voluntarily.

What EU261 Does NOT Cover

EU261 does not apply in cases where:

The delay is under three hours at arrival
The disruption is proven to be caused by extraordinary circumstances
The flight departs from outside the EU on a non-EU airline and arrives outside the EU

It also does not automatically cover baggage issues — those fall under the Montreal Convention.

Final Thoughts

EU261 remains one of the strongest air passenger protection laws globally. Yet billions of euros in compensation go unclaimed each year simply because passengers are unaware of their rights.

If your flight was delayed by more than three hours, cancelled at short notice, or you were denied boarding due to overbooking, you may be entitled to up to €600 per passenger.

Before accepting airline vouchers or assuming you’re not eligible, verify your rights carefully. A short delay could mean significant compensation — and the law is designed to protect you.

Understanding EU261 is not just helpful — it could be financially rewarding.