Flight cancelled or delayed: compensation of €250–600 (EU 261)

EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 strengthens the rights of air passengers in the event of cancellation, long delay and denied boarding. It applies to flights departing from an EU airport and to flights into the EU operated by an EU airline.

Your rights if a flight is cancelled

You choose between a full refund of the ticket price within seven days and re-routing to your final destination, in the case of re-routing as early as possible. On top of that comes care: meals and refreshments depending on the waiting time, if necessary hotel and transfers, and two calls or emails (Art. 9). The thresholds depend on distance — from about two hours up to 1,500 km, three hours between 1,500 and 3,500 km, four hours above 3,500 km. And there is compensation, provided there is no extraordinary circumstance and you were not informed in good time.

How much compensation

€250 for flights up to 1,500 km. €400 for flights within the EU over 1,500 km and other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km. €600 for flights over 3,500 km outside the EU. Distance is calculated by the great-circle method to the final destination.

When compensation does not apply

First, when you were informed of the cancellation in good time (Art. 5(1)(c)): at least two weeks before the scheduled departure; or between two weeks and seven days before, if you are offered an alternative departing at most two hours earlier and arriving at most four hours later; or less than seven days before, if the alternative departs at most one hour earlier and arrives at most two hours later.

Second, in extraordinary circumstances (Art. 5(3)), such as political instability, security risks, unexpected flight safety deficiencies or weather conditions incompatible with operating the flight.

Strikes are widely misjudged. A strike by the airline's own staff is not an extraordinary circumstance, even if announced and lawful (CJEU, 23.03.2021, C-28/20, Airhelp/SAS). With external strikes — air traffic control, airport staff — or where demands can only be met by state bodies, one may exist.

A technical defect is also generally not an extraordinary circumstance (CJEU C-549/07, Wallentin-Hermann). Exceptionally, a hidden manufacturing defect can be (CJEU C-257/14, van der Lans).

Care, refund and re-routing remain available even in extraordinary circumstances.

Downgrading

If you are moved to a lower class, you are entitled to a partial refund of the ticket price (Art. 10(2)): 30 % up to 1,500 km, 50 % between 1,500 and 3,500 km, 75 % over 3,500 km. An upgrade is free of charge.

Time limits

There is no EU-wide limitation period. In Germany the regular three-year limitation period is usually applied (§§ 195, 199 BGB); it generally starts at the end of the year in which the claim arose and you learned of it. Secure the evidence: boarding pass, booking confirmation, cancellation notice, notes.

Delay and overbooking

With an arrival delay of three hours or more at the final destination, compensation may be due, under the same conditions as for a cancellation. If you are denied boarding through no fault of your own because of overbooking, you choose between refund or re-routing, compensation and care.

How to enforce it

First in writing to the airline, with a deadline. Alternatively, you can use a flight-rights service that works on commission. Complaints go to the enforcement body of the respective country — in Germany the Federal Aviation Office (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt).

Quick questions

Do I get money and a refund at the same time? Yes, compensation and refund or re-routing are independent. Does departure or arrival time count? What counts is arrival at the final destination, i.e. the opening of the door. And what is an extraordinary circumstance? An event beyond the airline's control — not every technical defect and not a strike by its own staff.

Note: general information, not legal advice. What counts is the individual case. As at: 17.10.2026.

Nützliche Links

Sources

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, in particular Art. 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32004R0261
CJEU, judgments of 23.03.2021 — C-28/20 (Airhelp/SAS), of 22.12.2008 — C-549/07 (Wallentin-Hermann), of 17.09.2015 — C-257/14 (van der Lans)
European Consumer Centre Germany
German Federal Aviation Office (enforcement body)