Short answer
What is EU 261 compensation?
EU 261 compensation is the fixed cash payment airlines must make under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 when they delay, cancel or deny boarding on a covered flight. Passengers are owed €250, €400 or €600 depending on distance, whatever the ticket cost. The operating airline pays, including on codeshare flights.
Which flights are covered
Where you fly from and which airline operates the flight decide whether the regulation applies — not your nationality.
- Every flight departing from an airport in the EU, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland, whatever the airline.
- Flights arriving in those countries from elsewhere, when the airline is based in the EU, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland.
- Scheduled and charter flights, including flights that are part of a package holiday.
- Any passenger with a confirmed booking — nationality and place of residence don't matter.
- Flights to and from the EU's outermost regions, such as the Canary Islands, Madeira and Réunion.
EU 261 amounts at a glance
The figures are set in the regulation itself. An airline can't replace them with a cheaper voucher unless you agree in writing.
- Up to 1,500 km€250e.g. Amsterdam–Paris, Barcelona–Rome, Prague–Berlin
- 1,500–3,500 km€400Plus every flight within the EU over 1,500 km
- Over 3,500 km€600Flights between the EU and more distant destinations
Flights within the EU over 1,500 km are always paid at €400.
Covered or not covered?
The same route can fall inside or outside the regulation depending on the direction and the airline.
Covered
- Lisbon → New York on any airline
- New York → Lisbon on a European airline
- A charter flight from Munich booked as part of a package holiday
- A ticket booked with frequent-flyer miles
Not covered
- New York → Lisbon on a non-European airline
- Istanbul → Dubai on any airline
- Staff tickets and free tickets not available to the public
- Arrival delays of less than three hours (no cash, though care may apply)
One regulation, four disruptions
The regulation covers more than delays. This is when each type of disruption pays out.
| Disruption | When you're owed money |
|---|---|
| Delay | You reach your final destination three hours or more late |
| Cancellation | You're told less than 14 days before departure, with no close-enough replacement |
| Denied boarding | You're refused boarding against your will, usually because of overbooking |
| Downgrade | A refund of 30–75% of the ticket price for that flight, depending on distance |
How to enforce your rights
You can claim yourself or let a specialist do it. Airlines often refuse first time — evidence and persistence win.
- 01
Check the flight is covered
The departure airport and the operating airline decide which rules apply.
- 02
Establish the cause
We compare the airline's excuse with weather, air traffic and fleet data.
- 03
Claim from the operating airline
Not the booking site or the codeshare partner — the airline that flew, or should have flown, the plane.
- 04
Escalate if refused
National enforcement bodies, dispute resolution schemes and courts enforce the regulation.
EU 261 FAQ
Core questions about the regulation passengers rely on.
Is EU 261 the same as UK261?
The UK kept its own version after Brexit, with the same rules and amounts in pounds: £220, £350 and £520. Flights from the UK fall under UK law; we file each claim under the right framework.
Does a cheap ticket reduce compensation?
No. The amount depends only on distance and the disruption. A budget fare can still be worth €400 or €600.
What counts as an extraordinary circumstance?
Events outside the airline's actual control, such as severe weather, air traffic control strikes or security threats. Routine technical faults and staff shortages don't count, and the airline has to prove its case.
Which airline do I claim from on a codeshare flight?
The operating airline — the one whose aircraft and crew flew, or were due to fly, the route. The name on your ticket doesn't matter.
Does EU 261 apply to flights outside Europe?
Only on the way in, and only with a European airline. A flight from New York to Paris on a European airline is covered; the same route on a non-European airline is not.
How long do I have to claim?
Limitation periods are set nationally and vary from country to country. Many passengers can still claim flights from the last three years — file sooner rather than later while the evidence is fresh.
