Flight Compensation Time Limits by Country: Don't Miss Your Deadline
Think you missed your deadline? Maybe not. EU261 time limits range from 1 to 10 years depending on the country. Here's a complete breakdown so you don't leave money on the table.
Here's something most people don't know: you can claim flight compensation for flights that happened years ago. The time limit varies dramatically by country — from just 1 year in Belgium to a generous 10 years in Luxembourg. This guide covers every EU country so you can check if your old flight is still claimable.
Which Country's Time Limit Applies?
The relevant country is typically where the airline is headquartered or where the flight departed from. If you're unsure, the general rule is:
- Departure country laws usually apply for EU-registered airlines
- Airline's home country may apply in some cases
- If you go to court, the court's national law applies
In practice, you can often choose the most favorable jurisdiction. Check the EU261 regulation details for more on how this works.
Complete Time Limit Table by Country
| Country | Time Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | 3 years | From date of flight |
| Belgium | 1 year | Shortest in EU |
| Bulgaria | 3 years | From date of flight |
| Croatia | 3 years | From date of flight |
| Czech Republic | 3 years | From date of flight |
| Denmark | 3 years | From date of flight |
| Estonia | 3 years | From date of flight |
| Finland | 3 years | From date of flight |
| France | 5 years | Generous deadline |
| Germany | 3 years | Ends Dec 31 of 3rd year |
| Greece | 5 years | From date of flight |
| Hungary | 5 years | From date of flight |
| Ireland | 6 years | Very generous |
| Italy | 2 years | From date of flight |
| Latvia | 2 years | From date of flight |
| Lithuania | 3 years | From date of flight |
| Luxembourg | 10 years | Longest in EU! |
| Netherlands | 2 years | From date of flight |
| Norway | 3 years | EEA member |
| Poland | 1 year | One of the shortest |
| Portugal | 3 years | From date of flight |
| Romania | 3 years | From date of flight |
| Slovakia | 3 years | From date of flight |
| Spain | 5 years | From date of flight |
| Sweden | 3 years | From date of flight |
| UK | 6 years | UK261 applies post-Brexit |
The Countries With the Longest Deadlines
If you had a disrupted flight years ago, check these generous-deadline countries:
- Luxembourg: 10 years — Fly Luxair or depart from Luxembourg? You have a decade to claim.
- Ireland & UK: 6 years — Ryanair is Irish-registered. If you flew Ryanair within the last 6 years, you may still have a valid claim.
- France, Greece, Hungary, Spain: 5 years — Flights from/to these countries or on their airlines give you 5 years.
Special Case: Germany's "End of Year" Rule
Germany has a unique rule: the 3-year deadline starts at the end of the calendar year when the flight occurred. So if your Lufthansa flight was disrupted on March 15, 2023, you have until December 31, 2026 to claim — not March 15, 2026. This gives you up to nearly 4 years in practice.
How to Check Your Eligibility
Not sure if your flight still qualifies? Here's the quick checklist:
- Identify the departure country and airline's home country
- Check the time limit for the most favorable country in the table above
- Remember that the clock starts from the date of the flight, not when you discovered your rights
- Use our eligibility checker guide or start a claim to verify in 30 seconds
Don't Wait — Claim Now
Even if you're within the time limit today, waiting only increases the risk of missing the deadline. Airlines won't remind you that your claim window is closing. Every day you wait is a day closer to losing your right to compensation.
Check your eligibility now — it takes 30 seconds. WairHelp charges a flat €20 fee (not 35% like AirHelp) and offers a 90-day money-back guarantee.
| Compensation | AirHelp (35%) | WairHelp (flat €20) | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| €250 | €87.50 | €20 | €67.50 |
| €400 | €140 | €20 | €120 |
| €600 | €210 | €20 | €190 |
Ready to keep more of your compensation?
WairHelp charges a flat $25 — not 35%. 90-day money-back guarantee.
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