Denied Boarding Compensation in the EU (Regulation 261/2004)
If you arrived at the gate with a valid ticket and confirmed reservation, checked in on time, but were refused boarding against your will (usually because the flight was overbooked), EU Regulation 261/2004 gives you the right to fixed cash compensation. This is separate from any refund or re-routing the airline owes you. The rules apply to all flights departing from an EU airport, and to flights arriving in the EU on an EU-based carrier. You send the claim yourself and keep 100% of the money.
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Article 4 of Regulation (EC) 261/2004 covers denied boarding. If an airline expects to deny boarding, it must first call for volunteers to give up their seats in exchange for agreed benefits. Anyone denied boarding involuntarily is entitled to compensation under Article 7: €250 for flights of 1,500 km or less; €400 for intra-EU flights over 1,500 km and all other flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km; and €600 for all other flights over 3,500 km. The airline may halve the amount if it re-routes you and you arrive within 2, 3 or 4 hours of the original time (for the three distance bands respectively). On top of compensation you are entitled under Articles 8 and 9 to a choice between a full refund or re-routing, plus care (meals, refreshments, phone calls, and accommodation with transfers if an overnight stay is needed). Crucially, compensation for denied boarding is due even where it was caused by overbooking, and the Court of Justice has confirmed it cannot be refused by invoking 'extraordinary circumstances'.
Step by step
- 1Confirm you qualify: you had a confirmed booking, presented yourself at the gate by the stated check-in deadline, and were refused boarding involuntarily (not because of invalid documents, health or security reasons). Keep your boarding pass, booking reference and any written notice of denied boarding.
- 2Work out the band: identify the great-circle distance of your flight and select €250, €400 or €600. Note whether the airline re-routed you and how late you ultimately arrived, so you can confirm whether any 50% reduction can lawfully apply.
- 3Write to the airline's customer relations or EU261 claims address. Cite Regulation 261/2004, Articles 4 and 7, state your flight number and date, the compensation amount you claim, and your bank details (IBAN) for payment. Attach your boarding pass and booking confirmation.
- 4If the airline refuses or ignores you after a reasonable period, escalate to the National Enforcement Body (NEB) in the EU country where the denied boarding happened, or use an EU ADR / small-claims route. The European Consumer Centre (ECC-Net) can help with cross-border claims.
What they'll say, and your comeback
“The flight was overbooked, so compensation doesn't apply.”
Comeback, Overbooking is exactly what Article 4 covers. In Finnair (C-22/11) the Court of Justice confirmed denied boarding compensation is owed for commercial reasons such as overbooking, and that an airline cannot escape it by invoking extraordinary circumstances.
“We offered you a re-routing, so you've already been compensated.”
Comeback, Re-routing or a refund under Article 8 is a separate entitlement. The fixed Article 7 compensation is owed in addition, and can only be reduced by 50% if I arrived within the 2/3/4-hour windows.
“You volunteered to give up your seat, so you waived your rights.”
Comeback, I did not volunteer. I was denied boarding against my will. Volunteers receive negotiated benefits; involuntarily bumped passengers keep the full statutory compensation under Article 7.
FAQ
What if I was denied boarding because my passport or visa was invalid?
Compensation does not apply where boarding is refused on reasonable grounds such as missing travel documents, health, safety or security. The right applies to involuntary denied boarding for reasons like overbooking, where you were otherwise ready to travel.
How long do I have to claim?
There is no single EU-wide deadline; the limit is set by national law in the relevant Member State and commonly ranges from 1 to several years. Claim as soon as possible and keep all documents.
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A self-serve tool, not a law firm. General information, not legal advice.