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, Autoriteti i Aviacionit Civil (AAC) (+355 4 225 1220) supervises airlines in Albania; Qendra Evropiane e Konsumatorit (vendi i shitësit) (eccnet.eu) helps against an airline based elsewhere in the EU; your travel insurer, and AMF — Autoriteti i Mbikëqyrjes Financiare (ankesa siguruesish) (+355 4 224 7148) if it refuses, covers the rest.

Call firstAutoriteti i Aviacionit Civil (AAC)

Report toQendra Evropiane e Konsumatorit (vendi i shitësit)

If that failsAMF — Autoriteti i Mbikëqyrjes Financiare (ankesa siguruesish)

🗣️ 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: Autoriteti i Aviacionit Civil (AAC), Qendra Evropiane e Konsumatorit (vendi i shitësit)The 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; AMF — Autoriteti i Mbikëqyrjes Financiare (ankesa siguruesish) decides if they refuse.

📇 All contacts

Autoriteti i Aviacionit Civil (AAC)National enforcement body for passenger rightsWhen the airline refuses or is silent for 6–8 weeks📞 +355 4 225 1220 🔗 aac.gov.al/te-drejtat-e-pasagjereve

Qendra Evropiane e Konsumatorit (vendi i shitësit)For EU sellers, contact the centre of the seller's countrySeller in an EU country🔗 www.eccnet.eu

AMF — Autoriteti i Mbikëqyrjes Financiare (ankesa siguruesish)Complaints against insurersAfter the insurer's refusal📞 +355 4 224 7148 🔗 amf.gov.al/ankesa.asp

Gjykata e Rrethit GjyqësorCivil claim without a lawyer for small amountsIf the trader ignores the KMK decision🔗 www.gjykata.gov.al

❓ 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

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

“lost luggage compensation Albania”
“delayed baggage airline claim deadline”
“damaged suitcase airline claim”
“montreal convention baggage limit”
“airline refuses luggage claim”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

Your tools for Albania

Before it goes wrongCan I?What is allowed, what is not, which permit you need — with the official source.Energy · AlbaniaElectricity & gasThe rules that protect you as an electricity and gas customer in Albania, and who to contact. Every fact is checked on an official source.Recognise it firstIs dit veilig?Check a phone number, website or message against 47,000 scam dossiers.

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