EU261 passenger rights

Fixed compensation and care rights for many flights departing from, arriving in, or travelling within the EU.

EUEU261Rules reviewed August 2026

When EU261 applies

Flights within the EU, regardless of whether the operating airline is an EU airline.
Flights departing the EU for a non-EU country, regardless of the airline.
Flights arriving in the EU from outside the EU when operated by an EU airline. The rules also extend across the EEA and generally Switzerland.

Delay, cancellation and denied boarding

Arrival delay of 3 hours or more: fixed compensation may apply if the cause was not an extraordinary circumstance.
Cancellation: reimbursement or rerouting and care are due. Compensation may apply when notice was given less than 14 days before departure, subject to rerouting timing exceptions.
Involuntary denied boarding: compensation, reimbursement or rerouting, and care normally apply when you presented yourself on time with valid documents.
Care starts after a 2, 3 or 4 hour departure delay depending on distance; a delay of at least 5 hours also gives a right to reimbursement if you choose not to travel.
An amending EU regulation was adopted in July 2026 but is not yet applicable; it is due to apply 12 months and 20 days after publication in the Official Journal.

At a glance

Indicative EU261 compensation

Flight distance	Arrival delay / event	Amount per passenger
1,500 km or less	3+ hours, cancellation or denied boarding	€250
Intra-EU over 1,500 km; other flights 1,500–3,500 km	3+ hours, cancellation or denied boarding	€400
Other flights over 3,500 km	3–4 hours	€300 (50% reduction may apply)
Other flights over 3,500 km	4+ hours, cancellation or denied boarding	€600

When fixed compensation may not be due

Extraordinary circumstances that could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures were taken, such as severe weather, air traffic management decisions, political instability or security risks.
Most routine technical faults and internal airline staff strikes are generally not treated as extraordinary circumstances under EU guidance.
Care and rerouting/refund duties can still apply even where extraordinary circumstances remove the fixed-compensation duty.

Official basis

Official EU passenger-rights guidance

Official EU passenger-rights guidance Regulation (EC) No 261/2004

Information, not legal advice

Rules can change and outcomes depend on the operating airline, itinerary, notice, cause and evidence. This guide is general information only and is not legal advice. Check the current official source before making a claim.