Quick Answer
- What it is:
- Flight Delay/Cancellation Compensation — a legal procedure in Germany.
- Deadline:
- 1095 days
- Steps:
- 5 steps
- Cost:
- Free
- Documents:
- 5 required
- Legal basis:
- EU 261/2004
Important Deadlines
Claim must be filed within 3 years (German statute of limitations)
Airline must respond within 6 weeks
Required Documents
- ✓Booking confirmation / e-ticket
- ✓Boarding pass
- ✓Flight delay/cancellation confirmation from airline or airport
- ✓Expense receipts (meals, hotel if applicable)
- ✓Written correspondence with airline
Step-by-Step Guide
Determine eligibility: flight departed from EU airport OR arrived at EU airport on EU carrier.
Pro tip: Applies to delays >3 hours, cancellations, and denied boarding. Does NOT apply to extraordinary circumstances (e.g., severe weather, strikes by non-airline staff).
Calculate your compensation amount based on flight distance.
File a claim directly with the airline — write to their passenger rights department.
Pro tip: Include: booking reference, flight number, date, passenger names, reason for claim, bank details for payment.
If the airline rejects or ignores your claim (they have 6 weeks), escalate to the Schlichtungsstelle (German arbitration body: SÖP).
Pro tip: SÖP is free for passengers. File at soep-online.de.
If arbitration fails, file a claim with the Amtsgericht (local court). Small claims up to EUR 5,000 don't require a lawyer.
Fees
Legal Basis
Also Known As
This procedure is commonly searched under these names:
Official Resources
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