Rail passenger rights by country
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
What rail passengers can claim when a train is delayed or cancelled, and who enforces it. Pick a country for the full list of rules, each with its official source.
| Country | Legal basis | Refund or re-routing from a delay of | Compensation for a delay of 60 to 119 minutes | Compensation for a delay of 120 minutes or more | Enforcement body |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | EU 2021/782 | >= 60 min | 25% | 50% | EBA |
| Netherlands | EU 2021/782 | >= 60 min | 25% | 50% | ILT |
| United Kingdom | Delayed or cancelled train journey, Great Britain: Conditions of Travel | Delayed or cancelled train journey, Great Britain: ⚠ Not yet verified | Delayed or cancelled train journey, Great Britain: ⚠ Not yet verified | Delayed or cancelled train journey, Great Britain: ⚠ Not yet verified | Delayed or cancelled train journey, Great Britain: Rail Ombudsman |
| France | EU 2021/782 | Delayed or cancelled train journey, Long-distance services (not urban, suburban or regional): >= 60 min | Delayed or cancelled train journey, Long-distance services (not urban, suburban or regional): 25% | Delayed or cancelled train journey, Long-distance services (not urban, suburban or regional): 50% | DGCCRF |
| Spain | EU 2021/782 | >= 60 min | 25% | 50% | Transport Ministry |
| Italy | EU 2021/782 | >= 60 min | 25% | 50% | ART |
| Ireland | EU 2021/782 | >= 60 min | 25% | 50% | NTA |
| Poland | EU 2021/782 | Delayed or cancelled train journey, Long-distance services (not urban, suburban or regional): >= 60 min | Delayed or cancelled train journey, Long-distance services (not urban, suburban or regional): 25% | Delayed or cancelled train journey, Long-distance services (not urban, suburban or regional): 50% | UTK |
| Portugal | EU 2021/782 | >= 60 min | 25% (international trains) | 50% (international trains) | AMT |
| Belgium | EU 2021/782 | >= 60 min | 25% | 50% | FPS Mobility and Transport |
| Sweden | EU 2021/782 | >= 60 min | 25% | 50% | Konsumentverket |
| Austria | EU 2021/782 | >= 60 min | 25% | 50% | apf |
| Greece | EU 2021/782 | >= 60 min | 25% | 50% | RAS |
| Switzerland | Swiss law: the Passenger Transport Act (PBG, Art. 21a-21c) and the Passenger Transport Ordinance (VPB, Art. 61) apply to concessioned services and to permitted cross-border rail services. | ⚠ Not yet verified | At least 25% (over 60 min) | At least 50% (over 120 min) | Federal Office of Transport (BAV), the supervisory authority for public passenger transport |
| Denmark | EU 2021/782 | Delayed or cancelled train journey, Long-distance services (not urban, suburban or regional): >= 60 min | Delayed or cancelled train journey, Long-distance services (not urban, suburban or regional): 25% | Delayed or cancelled train journey, Long-distance services (not urban, suburban or regional): 50% | Ankenævnet; Jernbanenævnet |
| Czechia | EU 2021/782 | Delayed or cancelled train journey, Long-distance services (not urban, suburban or regional): >= 60 min | Delayed or cancelled train journey, Long-distance services (not urban, suburban or regional): 25% | Delayed or cancelled train journey, Long-distance services (not urban, suburban or regional): 50% | Drážní úřad |
| Hungary | EU 2021/782 (domestic exemptions) | 60 min (not on regional services) | Delayed or cancelled train journey, International services: 25% | Delayed or cancelled train journey, International services: 50% | Rail Regulatory Body (ministry) |
| Finland | EU 2021/782 (commuter rail only partly) | >= 60 min | 25% | 50% | Consumer Advisory Service; Traficom |
| Croatia | EU 2021/782 | Delayed or cancelled train journey, Long-distance services (not urban, suburban or regional): 60 min | Delayed or cancelled train journey, Long-distance services (not urban, suburban or regional): 25% | Delayed or cancelled train journey, Long-distance services (not urban, suburban or regional): 50% | HAKOM |
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.