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Air passenger rights · European Union

Flight delayed or cancelled?
You may be owed €250–600.

Under EU Regulation EC261/2004, a delay of 3 hours or more, a cancellation, or denied boarding can entitle you to cash — on any flight leaving the EU, or arriving in the EU on an EU airline. Check below, then claim in your country.

DIRECT ANSWER

The amount is a flat €250, €400 or €600 by distance, regardless of ticket price — unless the airline proves “extraordinary circumstances” (extreme weather, ATC strike, security). Meals and accommodation are owed either way. These rules are identical across the EU; only the claim procedure differs by country.

Reviewed by the FFCheck editors · June 2026

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The amounts (EC261)

€250
Flights up to 1,500 km
€400
Intra-EU flights over 1,500 km, and all flights 1,500–3,500 km
€600
Flights over 3,500 km (between an EU and non-EU airport)

Your rights, no matter what

Even with extraordinary circumstances, beyond a certain wait the airline must provide meals and drinks, two means of communication, and accommodation + transfers if you stay overnight. This right to care is separate from compensation and applies across the EU.

Claim in your country

The compensation is EU-wide, but how you claim — the mediator, the deadline, the enforcement body — is national. Pick yours:

FAQ

How much can I claim?

€250 up to 1,500 km; €400 for intra-EU flights over 1,500 km and all flights 1,500–3,500 km; €600 beyond 3,500 km outside the EU.

When does it apply?

A 3-hour+ arrival delay, a cancellation with under 14 days’ notice, or denied boarding — on any flight leaving an EU airport, or arriving in the EU on an EU airline. The 3-hour threshold still stands in 2026.

What about weather or strikes?

“Extraordinary circumstances” (extreme weather, air-traffic-control strike, security) remove the cash compensation but not your right to care. A strike by the airline’s own staff usually does not count.

Do I need a paid claim company?

No. Claiming is free and you keep 100%. Claim firms take 25–35%. FFCheck shows you exactly how to do it yourself, country by country.

Official sources