Time limit: In Germany, the 3-year limitation period expires on 31 December of the third year after your flight (§195 + §199 BGB). Example: flight on 10 June 2022 → deadline 31 December 2025.

Flight Delayed or Cancelled in Germany? Claim up to €600

Q: How long do I have to claim compensation for a flight delayed in Germany?

In Germany, the limitation period is 3 years under §195 of the German Civil Code (BGB). Importantly, the deadline runs until 31 December of the third year after the flight, not exactly 3 years from the flight date (§199 BGB). For example, a flight on 15 March 2023 expires on 31 December 2026. Act promptly while all your documents are available.

Q: What is the LBA and how do I file a complaint?

The LBA (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt) is the national enforcement authority for EU passenger rights in Germany. If the airline refuses your claim or fails to respond within 4 weeks, you can file a free complaint online at lba.de. The LBA can formally instruct the airline to pay your compensation.

Q: Does EU261 apply to flights from German airports with non-EU airlines?

Yes. EU261 applies to all flights departing from an airport in the European Union, regardless of the airline's nationality. If your flight left from Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC) or any other German airport, you are fully protected — even if the airline is American, Asian or from any other non-EU country.

Q: What is the SRV and when should I use it?

The SRV (Schlichtungsstelle Reise und Verkehr) is a recognised out-of-court dispute resolution body in Germany. You can contact the SRV after the airline has rejected your claim, as an alternative to going to court. The process is free for consumers and takes around 60 to 90 days. Website: schlichtungsstelle-reise.de.

Q: The airline cited a technical fault — is that an extraordinary circumstance?

No. Established European case law makes clear that a technical fault is a normal part of airline operations and does not constitute an extraordinary circumstance. The airline is still liable for compensation, unless the fault was caused by an act of sabotage or an unforeseeable manufacturing defect entirely outside the airline's control.

Millions of passengers are affected by flight delays and cancellations in Germany every year. If your flight departed from Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC) or any other German airport and was delayed by 3 hours or more — or cancelled less than 14 days before departure — EU Regulation 261/2004 entitles you to compensation of up to €600. Germany's time limit is 3 years.

Situations covered by EU261 from Germany

✓
Delay of 3 hours or more at arrival — the actual arrival time (when doors open) counts, not the departure delay.
✓
Cancellation notified less than 14 days before departure — without an adequate alternative offered by the airline.
✓
Flight brought forward by more than 1 hour — if you could not board at the originally scheduled time.
✓
Involuntary denied boarding — overbooking or a document issue attributable to the airline.

Main German airports: Frankfurt (FRA) — Germany's largest airport, Lufthansa hub · Munich (MUC) — second largest, Lufthansa second hub · Düsseldorf (DUS) · Berlin Brandenburg (BER) · Hamburg (HAM) · Stuttgart (STR) · Cologne/Bonn (CGN).

How to claim — step by step

1
Generate your formal demand letter with Claimy — in 30 seconds, with the exact legal references and compensation amount.
2
Send it by registered post with acknowledgement of receipt to the airline's official postal address. This creates legally sound proof of the delivery date.
3
Wait for the airline's response — in Germany, a reply is expected within 4 weeks.
4
If refused or no response — escalate to the LBA, contact the SRV for mediation, or file a claim at the Amtsgericht (local civil court).

If the airline refuses or does not reply

If the airline refuses or fails to reply within 4 weeks, you have the following escalation options:

LBA — Luftfahrt-Bundesamt

→ National enforcement authority for EU261 in Germany
→ Free complaint online at lba.de
→ Can formally instruct the airline to pay

SRV — Schlichtungsstelle Reise und Verkehr

→ Recognised out-of-court dispute resolution body
→ Free for consumers — schlichtungsstelle-reise.de
→ Recommended before taking the matter to court

Amtsgericht (Local Civil Court)

→ Competent court for disputes up to €5,000 in Germany
→ Last resort if LBA and SRV do not resolve the matter

Tip: always keep your booking confirmation, boarding pass and all correspondence with the airline. These documents are essential for any complaint or court action.

EU261 compensation amounts — examples from Germany

Flight distance	Compensation	Example from Germany
≤ 1,500 km	€250	FRA → Berlin (BER) ~460 km, MUC → Vienna (VIE) ~350 km
1,500–3,500 km or intra-EU	€400	FRA → Athens (ATH) ~1,900 km, MUC → Lisbon (LIS) ~2,200 km
> 3,500 km outside EU	€600	FRA → New York (JFK) ~6,200 km, MUC → Dubai (DXB) ~4,600 km

The airline may reduce compensation by 50% if it offered you a rerouting with a limited arrival delay.

Why use Claimy instead of a claims agency?

Services like AirHelp or Flightright charge 25 to 35% commission on your compensation. On €250, you only receive ~€175.

	Claims agency	Claimy
On €250	You receive ~€175	You receive €240.10
On €400	You receive ~€280	You receive €385.10
On €600	You receive ~€420	You receive €575.10

Claimy generates your formal demand letter in 30 seconds for a fixed fee from €9.90. You send it yourself and keep 100% of your compensation.

Check my eligibility →

Frequently asked questions — Flight delay in Germany

How long do I have to claim compensation for a flight delayed in Germany?

In Germany, the limitation period is 3 years under §195 BGB. Crucially, the deadline runs until 31 December of the third year after the flight (§199 BGB). A flight on 15 March 2023 therefore expires on 31 December 2026 — not on 15 March 2026. Act promptly while your documents are still available.

What is the LBA and how do I file a complaint?

The LBA (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt) is Germany's national authority responsible for enforcing EU passenger rights. If the airline refuses your claim, you can file a free complaint at lba.de. The LBA can formally instruct the airline to pay and is a useful first step before mediation or court proceedings.

Does EU261 apply to flights from German airports with non-EU airlines?

Yes. EU261 covers all flights departing from any EU airport, regardless of the airline's nationality. Flying from FRA or MUC with a US, Asian or Middle Eastern carrier? You are fully protected under EU261.

What is the SRV and when should I use it?

The SRV (Schlichtungsstelle Reise und Verkehr) is a free out-of-court dispute resolution service. Use it after the airline has rejected your claim and before going to the Amtsgericht. The process is free for consumers and typically takes 60–90 days.

The airline cited a technical fault — is that an extraordinary circumstance?

No. European case law makes clear that a technical fault is part of the normal hazards of airline operations and does not constitute an extraordinary circumstance. The airline is still liable, unless the fault was caused by sabotage or an unforeseeable manufacturing defect entirely outside the airline's control.

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