Air passenger rights in Ireland (2026)

Last reviewed: 13 October 2026

In short: Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 applies to flights departing from Ireland, with compensation of EUR 250, 400 or 600 by distance. The national enforcement body is the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).

RuleWhat applies
Governing regulationDelayed, cancelled or overbooked flightsEU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 [1]
Arrival delay giving a right to compensationDelayed, cancelled or overbooked flights3 hours [2]
Compensation: flights up to 1,500 kmDelayed, cancelled or overbooked flights€250.00 per passenger [1]
Compensation: flights of 1,500 to 3,500 kmDelayed, cancelled or overbooked flights€400.00 per passenger [1]
Compensation: flights over 3,500 kmDelayed, cancelled or overbooked flights€600.00 per passenger [1]
Care and refund when a flight is delayedDelayed, cancelled or overbooked flightsMeals and refreshments, two communications and, if an overnight stay is needed, hotel and transport, offered after a departure delay of 2 hours (flights up to 1,500 km), 3 hours (EU flights over 1,500 km and other flights of 1,500 to 3,500 km) or 4 hours (all other flights). At a delay of 5 hours or more, passengers may choose reimbursement of the ticket. [1]
Which flights are coveredDelayed, cancelled or overbooked flightsFlights departing from an airport in an EU Member State, including Ireland. Flights from an airport in a non-EU country to an airport in an EU Member State when the operating carrier is an EU carrier, unless the passengers already received benefits or compensation and assistance in that country. [1]
National enforcement bodyDelayed, cancelled or overbooked flightsIrish Aviation Authority (IAA) [3]

Notes

  • Regulation (EU) 2026/2202 amends Regulation 261/2004 and applies from 23 October 2027. The rules shown are those in force now.
  • The three-hour threshold for compensation for a delay at the final destination comes from the Court of Justice case law (Sturgeon), not from the text of Regulation 261/2004 itself. Recital 17 of Regulation (EU) 2026/2202 describes it that way.
  • This band also covers all flights within the EU over 1,500 km.

Sources

  1. European Parliament and Council of the European Union (EUR-Lex): Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2004 establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights, and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 295/91 (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  2. European Parliament and Council of the European Union (EUR-Lex): Regulation (EU) 2026/2202 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 September 2026 (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  3. European Commission, Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport: National Enforcement Bodies - Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.