Missing Plane
Passenger rights

The 2026 EU261 reform: what changes and when

By Jules Aubry · · How we check facts
The short answerHas the EU261 delay threshold changed in 2026?

No. The 2026 reform agreed by the EU keeps compensation from 3 hours of delay. The new rules are expected to apply from 2027; until then current rules and amounts apply.

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In June 2026 the European Parliament and EU governments agreed a revision of EU261, and Parliament approved it on 7 July 2026. Earlier proposals to raise the delay threshold to 4 or 6 hours were dropped: compensation still starts at 3 hours.

The new rules are expected to apply from 2027. Until they take effect, every disrupted flight is judged under the current rules, with the current amounts and the current national time limits for claiming.

One change worth knowing in advance: under the new text, the time limit to claim is expected to become 9 months from the date of the disruption, much shorter than many national limits today. If you have an older disrupted flight, claiming now is safer.

This page is updated as the reform moves forward.

Sources

What happened to your flight?
Where were you flying?

How late did you arrive?

At your final destination, when the doors opened.

What reason did the airline give?

Check the email or text message they sent you.

— → —
€250–€600Enter your route
Why this answer?
  • Under EU261, a flight 3+ hours late, cancelled at short notice or overbooked pays €250, €400 or €600 per passenger, depending on distance. Pick your airports to see your amount.
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How far back can you claim? Flight compensation time limits by countryEU261 sets no deadline, so national time limits apply: from 1 year to 10 years depending on the country. Which country's limit you can use, examples, and the 9-month limit expected with the reform.Missed your flight because of border queues?What the EU Entry/Exit System changes, and what you can and can't claim.Christmas flights: snow, strikes and family tripsWhat you are owed when holiday flights go wrong, and how to lower the risk.The airline refused or ignored your claim: what to do nextThe free steps after an airline says no: challenge the reason, the national enforcement body, approved mediators, European consumer centres, then small claims without a lawyer.Your bank card may pay you for a delay too: card travel insurance explainedMany premium bank cards include travel insurance that covers meals, hotel or new tickets after a long delay, on top of EU261. What it usually covers, conditions, and how to claim.Claim yourself or use a claim service?Doing it yourself is free. Services save time and take a share.