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, Fogyasztóvédelmi hatóság (Budapest Főváros Kormányhivatala) (fogyasztovedelem.kormany.hu) supervises airlines in Hungary; Európai Fogyasztói Központ Magyarország (fogyasztovedelem.kormany.hu) helps against an airline based elsewhere in the EU; your travel insurer, and Pénzügyi Békéltető Testület (MNB) (06 80 203 776) if it refuses, covers the rest.

Call firstFogyasztóvédelmi hatóság (Budapest Főváros Kormányhivatala)

Report toEurópai Fogyasztói Központ Magyarország

If that failsPénzügyi Békéltető Testület (MNB)

🗣️ 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: Fogyasztóvédelmi hatóság (Budapest Főváros Kormányhivatala), Európai Fogyasztói Központ MagyarországThe 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; Pénzügyi Békéltető Testület (MNB) decides if they refuse.

📇 All contacts

Fogyasztóvédelmi hatóság (Budapest Főváros Kormányhivatala)National enforcement body for passenger rights (EU 261)When the airline refuses or is silent for 6–8 weeks🔗 fogyasztovedelem.kormany.hu/#/legi_utasjogok

Európai Fogyasztói Központ MagyarországFree help with sellers in other EU countriesSeller in another EU country, Norway or Iceland🔗 fogyasztovedelem.kormany.hu/#/europai_fogyasztoi_kozpont

Pénzügyi Békéltető Testület (MNB)Dispute resolution with insurersAfter the insurer's refusal📞 06 80 203 776 🔗 www.mnb.hu/bekeltetes

Békéltető testületFree procedure; the trader usually compliesAfter a written complaint without a solution🔗 bekeltetes.hu

❓ 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 Hungary”
“delayed baggage airline claim deadline”
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🧳 My luggage is lost, delayed or damaged — who pays?