Air passenger rights by country
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
Compensation, care and complaint routes when a flight is delayed, cancelled or overbooked, in the EU countries and the UK. Pick a country for the full list of rules, each with its official source.
| Country | Governing regulation | Arrival delay giving a right to compensation | Compensation: flights up to 1,500 km | Compensation: flights over 3,500 km | National enforcement body |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | EU261 (Regulation 261/2004) | 3 hours at final destination | EUR 250 | EUR 600 | LBA |
| Netherlands | EU261 (Regulation 261/2004) | 3 hours at final destination | EUR 250 | EUR 600 | ILT (Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport) |
| United Kingdom | UK261 (retained Regulation 261/2004) | 3 hours at final destination | GBP 220 | GBP 520 | CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) |
| France | EU261 (Regulation 261/2004) | 3 hours at final destination | EUR 250 | EUR 600 | DGAC (Direction générale de l'aviation civile) |
| Spain | EU261 (Regulation 261/2004) | 3 hours at final destination | EUR 250 | EUR 600 | AESA (Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea) |
| Italy | EU261 (Regulation 261/2004) | 3 hours at final destination | EUR 250 | EUR 600 | ENAC (Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile) |
| United States | — | — | — | — | DOT Office of Aviation Consumer Protection |
| Canada | — | 3 hours at destination (compensation) | — | — | Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) |
| Mexico | — | Over 1 hour after scheduled departure | — | — | PROFECO (sanctions); AFAC (supervision) |
| Ireland | EU261 (Regulation 261/2004) | 3 hours at final destination | EUR 250 | EUR 600 | IAA (Irish Aviation Authority) |
| Australia | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ACCC (consumer law); no individual complaints |
| Poland | EU261 (Regulation 261/2004) | 3 hours at final destination | EUR 250 | EUR 600 | President of the Civil Aviation Authority (ULC) |
| Portugal | EU261 (Regulation 261/2004) | 3 hours at final destination | EUR 250 | EUR 600 | ANAC |
| Belgium | EU261 (Regulation 261/2004) | 3 hours at final destination | EUR 250 | EUR 600 | BCAA (FPS Mobility and Transport) |
| Sweden | EU261 (Regulation 261/2004) | 3 hours at final destination | EUR 250 | EUR 600 | Konsumentverket (Swedish Consumer Agency) |
| Austria | EU261 (Regulation 261/2004) | 3 hours at final destination | EUR 250 | EUR 600 | apf |
| Greece | EU261 (Regulation 261/2004) | 3 hours at final destination | EUR 250 | EUR 600 | Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) |
| Switzerland | EU261 (Regulation 261/2004) | ⚠ Not yet verified | EUR 250 | EUR 600 | BAZL (FOCA) |
| Denmark | EU261 (Regulation 261/2004) | 3 hours at final destination | EUR 250 | EUR 600 | Trafikstyrelsen |
| Czechia | EU261 (Regulation 261/2004) | 3 hours at final destination | EUR 250 | EUR 600 | Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) |
| Hungary | EU261 (Regulation 261/2004) | 3 hours at final destination | EUR 250 | EUR 600 | CAA of Hungary; complaints to Budapest Government Office |
| Finland | EU261 (Regulation 261/2004) | 3 hours at final destination | EUR 250 | EUR 600 | KKV (consumers); Traficom (business travellers) |
| Norway | EU261 (Regulation 261/2004) | 3 hours | EUR 250 | EUR 600 | Transportklagenemnda (Norsk Reiselivsforum) |
| Croatia | EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 | 3 hours at final destination | EUR 250 | EUR 600 | Croatian Civil Aviation Agency |
| Romania | EU261 (Regulation 261/2004) | 3 hours at final destination | EUR 250 | EUR 600 | National Authority for Consumer Protection (ANPC) |
Before you rely on it
This comparison covers national rules. Regional or local rules can apply on top of them, and rules change. A rule marked “to verify” has not yet been confirmed against an official source. Each country page links to the official sources, and those are the place to confirm the details before you act.
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.