EU261 Compensation: Get Up to €600 for Flight Delays
Your complete guide to claiming cash compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004. Learn why airline vouchers aren't enough—and how to get the money you're legally owed.
Was your flight from an EU airport delayed over 3 hours or cancelled? You could be owed up to €600 in cash compensation under EU law—regardless of what the airline tells you.
Airlines often offer vouchers hoping you'll accept them instead of cash. Don't fall for it. This guide shows you exactly how to claim both your immediate care entitlements AND the compensation you deserve.
Whether you flew with Ryanair, easyJet, Lufthansa, Air France, or any other airline departing from an EU airport, your rights are protected under EU Regulation 261/2004 (also known as EC 261).
Key Takeaway
Accepting a voucher does NOT waive your right to EU261 cash compensation. You can claim both—the voucher for immediate care and up to €600 in compensation separately.
Airline Vouchers vs EU261 Compensation: What's the Difference?
Many passengers confuse vouchers with compensation. Here's the crucial difference that could be worth €600 to you:
Airline Vouchers & Coupons
- Goodwill gestures from airlines
- Usually for future travel credit only
- Often have expiry dates (6-24 months)
- Can only be used with same airline
- Not a legal entitlement
EU261 Compensation
- Legal right under EU law
- Cash payment of €250-€600
- No expiry on the money
- Spend however you want
- Claim up to 5 years back
You're Entitled to Both!
Care vouchers (meals, hotels) and cash compensation are separate entitlements. Never accept one instead of the other—claim everything you're owed.
Types of Airline Vouchers You May Receive
Airlines offer different types of vouchers. Understanding which ones are your legal right vs. goodwill gestures helps you know what to accept and what to push back on.
Care Vouchers (Your Legal Right)
Under EU261, airlines MUST provide these during delays:
- Meal vouchers - After 2+ hours delay (proportionate to wait time)
- Refreshment vouchers - Drinks and snacks during delays
- Hotel accommodation - If overnight stay required
- Transport to hotel - Transfers included
- 2 phone calls/emails - Communication allowance
Travel Credit Vouchers (Be Careful!)
Airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, and Lufthansa may offer future travel credit instead of cash:
- Often worth less than your EU261 entitlement
- Have expiry dates (typically 12-24 months)
- Only usable with that specific airline
- May have booking restrictions
Goodwill Gesture Vouchers
Sometimes airlines offer small vouchers as an apology:
- Typically €20-€100 for minor inconveniences
- May be offered when EU261 doesn't apply
- Can accept without affecting other claims
EU261 Compensation: Your Legal Right to Cash
EU Regulation 261/2004 (EC 261) gives passengers legal protection when flights are delayed, cancelled, or overbooked. Unlike vouchers, this is money you're legally owed.
How Much Can You Claim?
When Does EU261 Apply?
You may be eligible for €250-€600 if any of these situations occurred:
You Can Claim If:
- Flight delayed 3+ hours at arrival
- Flight cancelled less than 14 days before departure
- Denied boarding due to overbooking
- Flight departed from EU airport (any airline)
- Flight arrived in EU on EU airline
You Cannot Claim If:
- Extraordinary circumstances (see below)
- Delay under 3 hours
- Given 14+ days notice of cancellation
- Arrived in EU on non-EU airline
- Missed flight due to your own actions
Extraordinary Circumstances: What Airlines Can (and Can't) Use as an Excuse
Airlines often claim "extraordinary circumstances" to avoid paying compensation. But many of these excuses don't hold up. Here's what actually qualifies:
Valid Extraordinary Circumstances
Airlines DON'T have to pay if the delay was caused by:
- Severe weather - Storms, fog, heavy snow making flying unsafe
- Air traffic control strikes - External ATC decisions
- Security threats - Terrorism alerts, political unrest
- Medical emergencies - Passenger health crises
- Bird strikes - Collision with wildlife
NOT Extraordinary - You CAN Claim!
Airlines MUST pay compensation for these:
- Technical faults - Mechanical issues are the airline's responsibility
- Crew shortages - Staff scheduling is their problem
- Airline staff strikes - Internal industrial action
- Operational decisions - Schedule changes, overbooking
- Knock-on delays - Previous flight problems (usually)
Don't Take the Airline's Word for It
Airlines frequently claim "technical issues" or "operational reasons" as extraordinary circumstances—but these are NOT valid excuses under EU261. If your Ryanair, easyJet, or Lufthansa flight was delayed due to a technical fault, you are entitled to compensation.
Where Does EU261 Apply?
EU261 covers flights connected to the EU, EEA (European Economic Area), and Switzerland. Here's exactly when you're protected.
EU261 Covers:
- All flights departing from EU/EEA/Swiss airports (any airline)
- Flights to EU/EEA/Switzerland on EU/EEA/Swiss airlines
- Includes Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein (EEA)
- Connecting flights booked on a single ticket
Time Limits by Country:
- France: 5 years
- Germany: 3 years
- Spain: 5 years
- Other EU countries: 2-10 years
Flying from or to the UK?
Since Brexit, UK flights are covered by UK261 instead. Check out our UK261 compensation guide for details on claiming compensation for UK flights.
How to Claim Both Vouchers AND Compensation
Follow these steps to get everything you're entitled to after a flight disruption.
At the Airport: Accept Care Vouchers
When your flight is delayed, immediately ask the airline for meal vouchers, refreshments, and hotel accommodation if needed. These are your "right to care" under EU261 and don't affect your compensation claim.
Document Everything
Save your boarding pass, booking confirmation, and any communication from the airline about the delay or cancellation. Take photos of departure boards showing the delay.
- Boarding pass or e-ticket
- Booking confirmation email
- Photos of delay notifications
DON'T Sign Away Your Rights
Airlines may offer travel vouchers and ask you to sign paperwork. Read carefully! Never sign anything that says you waive your right to further compensation or that the voucher is "full and final settlement."
Claim Your EU261 Compensation
Once home, submit your EU261 compensation claim. You can go directly to airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, or Lufthansa—but they often reject valid claims. Using a claim management service like Claimzi increases your success rate significantly.
Don't Wait Too Long!
Claim time limits: 5 years (France), 3 years (Germany), 5 years (Spain), and 2-10 years in other EU countries. Submit your claim as soon as possible after your disrupted flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about airline vouchers and EU261 compensation.
Ready to Claim Your Compensation?
Don't settle for just a voucher. Check if you're eligible for up to €600 in cash compensation under EU261.