Ryanair delay: your rights and how to claim
Independent guide on EU261 claims against Ryanair — including what to do when Ryanair refuses to pay.
Independent guide on EU261 claims against Ryanair — including what to do when Ryanair refuses to pay.
For a Ryanair flight departing from any EU/EEA airport — or arriving at one with a European carrier — an arrival delay of 3 hours or more entitles you to €250 or €400 compensation per person under EU Regulation 261/2004. Ryanair is known for rejecting a higher-than-average share of first claims — but a first refusal is not the end. Many claims are honoured after escalation. You can submit a claim yourself for free, or have a specialist agency handle it. Not sure whether your flight qualifies? Submit it to DelayPaid — we check eligibility for free before you commit to anything.
Ryanair operates mostly short and medium-haul routes. The amounts that apply:
| Flight distance | Min. arrival delay | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | ≥ 3 hours | €250 per person |
| 1,500 – 3,500 km | ≥ 3 hours | €400 per person |
Yes. Although Ryanair is an Irish airline, EU Regulation 261/2004 applies to all flights departing from EU airports, regardless of the airline's nationality. Every Ryanair flight from Eindhoven or Schiphol is covered by EU261.
Extraordinary circumstances: Ryanair frequently claims delays were caused by extraordinary circumstances. This is a valid defence only if the airline can prove the circumstance was beyond its control and could not have been avoided. Technical defects inherent to normal operations are not extraordinary (Wallentin-Hermann ruling).
Voucher instead of cash: Ryanair sometimes offers a travel voucher. You have the right to insist on a bank transfer. You are never obliged to accept a voucher.
"File your claim on our website": You can do this, but be aware that Ryanair's online form may ask you to accept unfavourable terms. Read carefully before submitting.
The Dutch period is a 2-year forfeiture period, running from the day after the (scheduled) arrival date (art. 8:1835 BW). A forfeiture period cannot be interrupted: a demand letter to the airline does not extend it — only filing in court in time preserves the claim.
Enter your flight details to get an estimate of your EU261 compensation within 30 seconds.
Check my flightRyanair rejects a relatively high proportion of first claims, or redirects passengers to the claim form on their website. On second submission or escalation via a claims agency or court, many claims are ultimately honoured. A first refusal is not a final answer.
Under EU261 you always have the right to receive compensation in cash (bank transfer). Ryanair may offer a voucher, but you are not obliged to accept it. You can always insist on a cash payment.
Ryanair operates from Eindhoven Airport (EIN) and Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS). Eindhoven is Ryanair's largest base in the Netherlands.
For flights departing from Dutch airports, Dutch law applies: a 2-year forfeiture period (art. 8:1835 BW), which a letter cannot interrupt. Ryanair is an Irish company, but Irish limitation periods do not apply when the flight departed from the Netherlands.
Yes. For flights departing from a Dutch airport, Dutch courts have jurisdiction. You do not need to litigate in Ireland. Claims up to €5,000 can go to the Cantonal Court (kantonrechter).