My flight was delayed or cancelled — who enforces my compensation?
Under EU 261 you are owed €250–€600 for a delay of 3+ hours at arrival, a cancellation with less than 14 days' notice, or denied boarding — unless the airline proves extraordinary circumstances. Claim from the airline first, in writing. If it refuses or ignores you for 6–8 weeks, ANAC — Autoridade Nacional da Aviação Civil (anac.pt) is the national enforcement body in Portugal; a complaint there is free. Centro de Arbitragem de Conflitos de Consumo (CACC) offers binding dispute resolution. Check your amount first with our flight tool.
🗣️ What to say
"Flight [number] on [date] from [A] to [B] arrived … hours late / was cancelled on [date]. Under Regulation (EC) 261/2004 Art. 7 I claim €… compensation, to [IBAN], within 14 days. Booking reference […]."
🪜 Step by step
- Check the amountDistance and delay decide: €250 up to 1,500 km, €400 up to 3,500 km, €600 beyond. Our flight-compensation tool does it in 30 seconds.
- Claim from the airlineTheir online form or e-mail. Keep the boarding pass, booking, and any message about the delay.
- Give them 6–8 weeksThen escalate. "Extraordinary circumstances" must be proven by the airline — technical faults are not.
- Complain to ANAC — Autoridade Nacional da Aviação CivilThe enforcement body for flights departing Portugal or arriving on an EU airline. Free; it can fine the airline.
- Binding decision: Centro de Arbitragem de Conflitos de Consumo (CACC)The dispute board issues a decision the airline has to follow; otherwise, small-claims court.
📇 All contacts
❓ Frequently asked
Which country's body?
The one where the disrupted flight departed. For a flight into the EU on an EU airline, the arrival country.
The airline offered a voucher
You can refuse it. Compensation is money; the refund of the ticket is separate and also money unless you agree otherwise.
Does the flight tool cost anything?
No. It checks eligibility and drafts the claim; you send it yourself.
📎 Sources
- ANAC — Autoridade Nacional da Aviação Civil →
- Centro de Arbitragem de Conflitos de Consumo (CACC) →
- Julgado de Paz →
🔎 Common searches
Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.
- “flight compensation who to complain Portugal”
- “airline not paying EU261”
- “national enforcement body flight Portugal”
- “flight delayed 3 hours compensation”
- “cancelled flight rights”
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