EC Regulation 261/2004: Key Facts

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EC Regulation 261/2004: What you need to know for compensation

Regulation EC 261/2004 protects your passenger rights in the European Union. It covers flight delays, cancellations, and overbooking.

You can claim up to €600 in compensation, depending on your situation.

Traveling can quickly become frustrating when things don't go as planned. Fortunately, Regulation EC 261/2004, also known as EU 261, is there to protect your rights and compensate you when your flight is cancelled, overbooked, or boarding is denied.

A flight delay of more than 3 hours may also entitle you to compensation, provided the airline is responsible.

In Short

Regulation EC 261/2004: Key Takeaways

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Airlines must compensate you for cancellations, delays over 3 hours, or denied boarding when they are responsible for the disruption.

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Compensation ranges from €250 to €600 per person, depending on flight distance. These amounts are set by law: the airline cannot offer you less.

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Regulation EC 261 applies to all flights departing from the EU, as well as flights arriving in the EU operated by an EU airline. Arrivals operated by non-EU airlines are not covered.

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If you have to wait, you have a right to care from the airline: meals, drinks, hotel accommodation, and transport to/from the airport if necessary.

What is Regulation EC 261/2004?

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2004 protects air passengers and establishes compensation conditions for travel disruptions. It holds airlines financially accountable, unless the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances outside their control.

Regulation EC 261/2004 is one of the most comprehensive legislations in the field. This regulation plays a vital role in defending passenger rights for all travelers departing from a European airport, regardless of their nationality. In certain circumstances, passengers traveling to Europe from non-EU destinations may also be protected.

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When am I entitled to EC 261 compensation?

You can claim compensation between €250 and €600 from the airline in three main cases:

Significant Delay: A flight delayed by more than 3 hours may entitle you to compensation if the delay impacts the final arrival time (and not just the departure time).
Flight Cancellation: If your flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure, you may be entitled to compensation, barring extraordinary circumstances.
Denied Boarding (Overbooking): The airline refuses you boarding even though you had a valid ticket and presented yourself on time at the gate. This often happens when the flight is overbooked.

How much compensation am I entitled to?

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€250 - Flights of 1,500 km or less

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€400 - Flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km

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€600 - Flights of more than 3,500 km

Good to know: The amount you are entitled to does not depend on your ticket price, but on the flight distance.

Which countries are covered by Regulation EC 261?

European Regulation EC 261/2004 applies to the majority of flights operated in Europe.

This covers not only the European Union airspace but also Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and 'outermost regions' such as French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, Guadeloupe, Réunion, Saint-Martin, Madeira, the Azores, or the Canary Islands.

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EU Airline: ✔️ Covered

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Non-EU Airline: ❌ Not Covered

International flights are protected if you depart from an airport located in the EU, or if your destination is in the EU and you are traveling with a European airline.

And you don't need to be an EU citizen to claim compensation: Regulation EC 261 applies to all passengers, regardless of nationality!

Other rights provided by Regulation EC 261/2004

Regulation EC 261/2004 is among the most comprehensive passenger rights laws globally. In addition to financial compensation, it strictly defines how the airline must assist you in case of problems.

Your Right to Care

Vouchers for meals and drinks, Hotel night if necessary, Transport between airport and hotel if needed

Am I entitled to a refund or re-routing?

Yes! If your flight is cancelled, you can get compensation for the inconvenience. But you are also entitled to re-routing on the next available flight to your destination or a full or partial refund of your original ticket. For delays exceeding 5 hours, you can choose not to travel and ask for a full refund of the unused flight.

Is the hotel covered?

Yes! This is part of your right to assistance. If you have to stay overnight due to delay or cancellation, the airline must provide hotel accommodation and transport between the airport and hotel.

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