⚠️ Note — Netherlands passengers: In the Netherlands, the deadline to claim EU261 compensation is 2 years (Art. 8:1835 Dutch Civil Code). If your KLM flight was nearly 2 years ago, act immediately.

KLM Flight Delayed or Cancelled? Claim Your EU261 Compensation

Q: How long do I have to claim against KLM from the Netherlands?

The Netherlands applies a 2-year prescription period for EU261 claims (Article 8:1835 of the Dutch Civil Code). This is longer than Belgium (1 year) but shorter than France (5 years). If your KLM flight was nearly 2 years ago, act immediately.

Q: KLM is offering me a travel voucher — do I have to accept it?

No. You are never required to accept a voucher instead of your financial compensation. Article 7 of EU261 provides for payment in cash. A voucher can only replace this legal right if you expressly accept it in writing. Refuse the voucher and demand payment in money.

Q: My KLM flight was a long-haul flight — how much can I claim?

For long-haul KLM flights of more than 3,500 km outside the EU (e.g. AMS–New York, AMS–Dubai, AMS–Tokyo), a delay of 3 or more hours at arrival entitles you to €600 per passenger — the maximum EU261 compensation.

Q: KLM has not responded after 4 weeks — what can I do?

If KLM does not respond or refuses your claim, you can file a complaint with the ILT (Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport) at ilent.nl. You can also use De Geschillencommissie (degeschillencommissie.nl) for out-of-court dispute resolution. As a final step, you can take the matter to the kantonrechter — no lawyer required.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (IATA: KL) is the Netherlands' national airline, headquartered at Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS). KLM operates hundreds of flights daily, including extensive long-haul routes to North America, Asia and Africa. If your KLM flight was delayed by 3 hours or more, or cancelled less than 14 days before departure, EU Regulation 261/2004 entitles you to up to €600 per passenger. In the Netherlands, you have 2 years to act (Art. 8:1835 Dutch Civil Code).

Situations covered by EU261 for KLM flights

✓
Delay of 3 hours or more at arrival — the actual arrival time (when the doors open) counts, not the departure delay at Schiphol.
✓
Cancellation notified less than 14 days before departure — without an adequate alternative offered by KLM.
✓
Advancement of more than 1 hour — if KLM moved your departure earlier without you being able to board at the original time.
✓
Involuntary denied boarding — overbooking or a documentation issue attributable to KLM.

Popular KLM long-haul routes from AMS: AMS–New York (JFK), AMS–Dubai (DXB), AMS–Tokyo (NRT), AMS–Bangkok (BKK), AMS–San Francisco (SFO), AMS–Singapore (SIN) — a 3+ hour delay on these routes entitles you to €600.

How to claim against KLM

1
Generate your formal claim letter with Claimy — in 30 seconds, with the exact legal references to EU261 and the amount claimed.
2
Send the letter by registered post with proof of receipt to KLM's official postal address:
KLM Customer Care, Amsterdamseweg 55, 1182 GP Amstelveen, Netherlands
3
You can also submit a claim online at klm.com → Service → EU261 Claims. A registered letter is still recommended for a reliable date stamp.
4
Wait for KLM's response — the usual timeframe is 4 weeks. If refused or no reply, escalate.

What to do if KLM refuses or does not respond

If KLM refuses your claim or does not respond within 4 weeks, you have the following options:

🇳🇱 Enforcement

→ ILT (Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport) — complaint via ilent.nl
→ The ILT can compel KLM to pay

🇳🇱 Mediation & Court

→ De Geschillencommissie — degeschillencommissie.nl (out-of-court)
→ Kantonrechter — simplified procedure, no lawyer required

Tip: always keep your ticket, boarding pass and all correspondence with KLM. These documents are essential for any escalation.

EU261 compensation amounts

Flight distance	Compensation	KLM example
≤ 1,500 km	€250	AMS → London (LHR), AMS → Barcelona (BCN)
1,500–3,500 km or intra-EU	€400	AMS → Athens (ATH), AMS → Marrakesh (RAK)
> 3,500 km outside EU	€600	AMS → New York (JFK), AMS → Dubai (DXB), AMS → Tokyo (NRT)

KLM may reduce these amounts by 50% if it offered you a rerouting with a limited delay at destination.

Why use Claimy instead of a claim agency?

Services like AirHelp or Flightright charge 25–35% commission on your compensation. On €600 recovered, you only receive ~€420.

	Claim 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 claim 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 — KLM

How long do I have to claim against KLM from the Netherlands?

The Netherlands applies a 2-year prescription period (Art. 8:1835 Dutch Civil Code). This is longer than Belgium (1 year) but shorter than France (5 years). Act as quickly as possible to preserve your evidence.

KLM is offering me a travel voucher — do I have to accept it?

No. The EU261 compensation is a legal right to cash payment. A voucher can only replace this right if you expressly accept it in writing. Refuse the voucher and demand payment in cash.

KLM cites a technical defect — is that an extraordinary circumstance?

No. Established European case law does not consider a technical defect an extraordinary circumstance, as it is part of normal airline operations. KLM remains liable to compensate you, except in cases of sabotage or an unforeseeable manufacturing defect beyond the airline's control.

My KLM flight was a long-haul flight — how much can I claim?

For KLM long-haul flights over 3,500 km outside the EU (e.g. AMS–New York, AMS–Dubai, AMS–Tokyo), a delay of 3+ hours entitles you to €600 per passenger — the maximum EU261 compensation.

KLM has not responded after 4 weeks — what can I do?

File a complaint with the ILT (ilent.nl) — the national enforcement authority. Alternatively, contact De Geschillencommissie (degeschillencommissie.nl) for out-of-court resolution. As a final step, the kantonrechter handles EU261 disputes — no lawyer required.

More information

Ready to claim your KLM flight compensation?

Letter generated in 30 seconds. Fixed fee. You keep 100% of your compensation. Reminder: 2 years to act in the Netherlands.

Start on Claimy →