European Union, EEA and Switzerland passenger rights
EU261 flight compensation: Up to €600
If your flight from the EU, or into the EU on an EU airline, was cancelled at short notice or arrived 3 or more hours late, the airline may owe you up to €600 per passenger.
Rules last checked October 27, 2026
Amounts
How much EU261 compensation is
| Flights up to 1,500 km | €250 |
|---|---|
| Intra-EU flights over 1,500 km, and other flights of 1,500–3,500 km | €400 |
| Flights over 3,500 km (not within the EU) | €600 |
Amounts are per passenger and depend on flight distance, not ticket price. The airline may halve the payment if it rerouted you and you arrived within 2, 3 or 4 hours of the original time (by distance band).
Who is covered
Flights covered by EU261
- Any flight departing an airport in the EU, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, on any airline.
- Flights arriving in the EU from outside it, when operated by an EU airline.
- You need a confirmed reservation and must have checked in on time (or by 45 minutes before departure if no time was given).
When you can claim
Disruptions that qualify
- Your flight arrived at its final destination 3 or more hours late. Arrival is when at least one aircraft door opens.
- Your flight was cancelled less than 14 days before departure, unless the airline offered a replacement close to your original times.
- You were denied boarding against your will because the flight was overbooked.
Exceptions
When nothing extra is owed
- Extraordinary circumstances the airline could not have avoided, such as severe weather, air traffic control restrictions, security risks or airport strikes not involving airline staff.
- Cancellations notified 14 or more days before departure.
- Delays of under 3 hours at arrival.
Always owed
Rights you keep regardless
- A full refund or a replacement flight when your flight is cancelled, whatever the reason.
- Meals and refreshments during long delays, plus a hotel and transfers if you are stuck overnight.
Claim steps
How to claim under EU261
Claiming directly from the airline is free. KeenVPN does not file claims or take a cut.
Collect your flight details
Keep your booking reference, flight number, date, and any delay or cancellation emails from the airline. Note the time the doors opened if you were delayed.
Claim directly from the airline
Use the airline’s own compensation or EU261 claim form, or the EU’s standard air passenger complaint form. Claim from the airline that operated the flight.
Give the airline time to respond
Airlines usually reply within 6–8 weeks. If they reject the claim, ask which extraordinary circumstance they are relying on.
Escalate if you are refused
Complain to the national enforcement body in the country where the incident happened, or use an approved dispute resolution body or the European Small Claims Procedure.
Official resource
Read the official EU261 guidance
The time limit is set by national law and varies by country, from about one year to several years. Claim as soon as you can.
FAQ
EU261 questions
Does EU261 cover non-EU airlines?
Yes, when the flight departs from the EU, EEA or Switzerland. A flight into the EU is only covered if it is operated by an EU airline.
What counts as a 3-hour delay?
The delay is measured at your final destination, from the scheduled arrival time to the moment at least one aircraft door opens.
Do I need a claims company?
No. You can claim directly from the airline for free. Claims companies typically keep 25–35% of the payout.
Is a technical fault an extraordinary circumstance?
Usually not. The Court of Justice of the EU has ruled that most technical problems are part of normal airline operations.
Other passenger rights
Flying elsewhere?
Looking for a specific airline? See our airline-by-airline compensation guides.
Never miss a claim again
KeenVPN members can connect Gmail or Outlook. We spot flight bookings, check what happened to each flight, and alert you when compensation may be owed.