EU Train Delay Compensation Guide 2026

EU Regulation 2021/782 came into force in June 2023, replacing the older Regulation 1371/2007 and significantly strengthening passenger rights across the European Union. If your train arrives at its final destination 60 or more minutes late, you are entitled to compensation — regardless of which operator you travelled with and regardless of the cause of the delay.

What compensation can I claim?

The regulation sets out two tiers of compensation based on the length of the delay at your final destination:

• 60-119 minutes late: 25% of the ticket price paid for the delayed leg
• 120 minutes or more late: 50% of the ticket price paid for the delayed leg

Compensation is calculated on the price you actually paid, not the full-fare price. If you paid €40 for a ticket and your train arrived 2 hours late, you are owed €20.

For season ticket holders, the calculation is based on the proportional cost of the journey — typically the daily rate of your pass.

Which trains are covered?

EU Regulation 2021/782 covers cross-border international rail services operating within the EU. It also applies to domestic services in member states that have not exercised their opt-out. As of 2026, most major EU operators — including DB, SJ, Trenitalia, Renfe, SNCF, and NS — are covered.

The UK has equivalent protections under the Delay Repay scheme for most operators, though the threshold varies (15, 30, or 60 minutes depending on the operator).

Are strikes and weather covered?

Yes. Under EU 2021/782, operators cannot refuse compensation by citing strikes or extreme weather as extraordinary circumstances. This is a key difference from the old flight compensation rules under EU 261/2004, where weather and strikes can exempt airlines.

For trains, the only exemption under the regulation is circumstances "not attributable to the railway undertaking" and which could not have been avoided — a very narrow category that courts have interpreted strictly. In practice, nearly all delays are claimable.

How long do I have to claim?

You have one year from the date of travel to submit your compensation claim under EU 2021/782. However, operators may set shorter internal deadlines in their terms — DB, for instance, recommends claiming within 3 months.

To be safe, submit your claim as soon as possible after the delay. You will need your ticket, proof of purchase, and documentation of the delay (a screenshot of the departure board, an SMS from the operator, or a delay certificate from the conductor).

How do I claim?

You can claim directly through the operator's website or app, or use a service like TrainOwed to handle the process on your behalf. TrainOwed operates on a no-win, no-fee basis — you only pay if your claim succeeds.

Step 1: Gather your documents — ticket, booking confirmation, proof of delay.

Step 2: Calculate your compensation — 25% for 60-119 minutes, 50% for 120+ minutes.

Step 3: Submit your claim through the operator's portal or via TrainOwed.

Step 4: The operator has one month to respond. If they reject your claim, you can escalate to your national rail ombudsman or use TrainOwed's dispute resolution service.

What if the operator rejects my claim?

Operators sometimes reject valid claims, citing extraordinary circumstances or disputes about the delay duration. If your claim is rejected, you can:

• Appeal directly to the operator with additional documentation
• Escalate to the national enforcement body (in Germany: Bundesnetzagentur; in the UK: the Rail Ombudsman)
• Use TrainOwed's dispute resolution service, which handles rejections at no additional cost

According to data from national rail regulators, approximately 15-20% of initial rejections are overturned on appeal. Persistence pays.

Key deadlines and tips

• File as quickly as possible after the delay
• Keep all documentation — ticket, booking ref, delay certificate
• Do not accept vouchers in lieu of cash unless you want to — under EU 2021/782, you can insist on a monetary refund
• Operators must respond within 1 month of receiving your claim
• If delayed at the station, ask a conductor or station staff for a delay certificate (Verspätungsbescheinigung in Germany, attestation de retard in France)

"Passengers have the right to receive compensation from railway undertakings where they face a delay at the final destination." — EU Regulation 2021/782, Article 19