My luggage is lost, delayed or damaged

Direct answer

The airline, under the Montreal Convention, up to about €1,600 per passenger — but only if you report before leaving the airport (the PIR form at the baggage desk) and claim in writing within 7 days for damage, 21 days for delay. Keep receipts for essentials you buy while waiting. If the airline refuses or ignores you, Rzecznik Praw Pasażerów przy Prezesie ULC (pasazerlotniczy.ulc.gov.pl) supervises airlines in Poland; Europejskie Centrum Konsumenckie Polska (22 55 60 600) helps against an airline based elsewhere in the EU; your travel insurer, and Rzecznik Finansowy — ubezpieczenia (22 333 73 28) if it refuses, covers the rest.

Call firstRzecznik Praw Pasażerów przy Prezesie ULC

Report toEuropejskie Centrum Konsumenckie Polska

If that failsRzecznik Finansowy — ubezpieczenia

🗣️ What to say

"Flight [number] on [date], PIR [number]. My bag [tag number] is [missing / delayed since / damaged: what]. Under the Montreal Convention I claim [the value of the contents and the bag / the cost of essentials / the repair], [amount], receipts attached, within the 7/21-day deadline."

🪜 Step by step

Before you leave the airportBaggage desk, PIR report, keep the reference and the bag-tag stub.
Buy essentials, keep receiptsReasonable: toiletries, underwear, a change of clothes. The airline reimburses.
Written claim within 7 / 21 daysDamage 7 days, delay 21 days from delivery. Lost = not returned after 21 days: claim the contents with a list and any proof.
Refusal: Rzecznik Praw Pasażerów przy Prezesie ULC, Europejskie Centrum Konsumenckie PolskaThe aviation authority or the ECC for a foreign airline; the ADR body if the airline is a member.
InsurerTravel or contents insurance tops up above the airline's limit; Rzecznik Finansowy — ubezpieczenia decides if they refuse.

📇 All contacts

Rzecznik Praw Pasażerów przy Prezesie ULCNational body; free dispute resolution with the airlineWhen the airline refuses or is silent for 30 days🔗 pasazerlotniczy.ulc.gov.pl

Europejskie Centrum Konsumenckie PolskaFree help with sellers in other EU countriesSeller in another EU country, Norway or Iceland📞 22 55 60 600 🔗 konsument.gov.pl

Rzecznik Finansowy — ubezpieczeniaInterventions against insurersAfter the insurer's refusal📞 22 333 73 28 🔗 rf.gov.pl

Stały sąd polubowny przy WIIHFree arbitration at the Trade InspectionAfter a written complaint without a solution🔗 uokik.gov.pl/polubowne

❓ Frequently asked

What is the maximum?

About 1,288 SDR — roughly €1,600 — per passenger for all baggage, unless you declared a higher value at check-in. Above that, insurance.

They gave me a voucher

You can insist on money for a Montreal claim; vouchers are optional.

Damaged wheels and handles

Airlines like to exclude them; the Convention does not. Claim anyway and escalate.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

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“lost luggage compensation Poland”
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🧭 Is this still correct?

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🧳 My luggage is lost, delayed or damaged — who pays?