TrainOwed

Train Delay Compensation

Train delay compensation is a legal entitlement under EU Regulation 2021/782. If your train arrives more than 60 minutes late at your destination, you are owed 25% of your ticket price. If the delay exceeds 120 minutes, you are owed 50%. The claim is based on the ticket price you paid, not the train's total fare.

EU Regulation 2021/782 replaced the older Regulation 1371/2007 and significantly strengthened passenger rights across most EU member states. Under Article 19, passengers are entitled to compensation calculated as a percentage of the ticket price paid for the delayed journey.

The 60-minute threshold applies to the arrival time at your final destination, not intermediate stops. If you have a connecting ticket and a delayed first train causes you to miss the connection, the total delay to your final destination is what counts.

Strikes by railway staff are not a force majeure exemption under EU 2021/782, unlike under the old regulation. This means operators cannot refuse claims citing industrial action.

How to claim

  1. Check your delay: confirm your train arrived 60+ minutes late at your final destination.
  2. Gather evidence: save your ticket, booking confirmation, and any delay announcements.
  3. Submit your claim: use TrainOwed to file within 90 days of travel.
  4. Receive compensation: the operator must respond within 30 days. TrainOwed follows up if they do not.

Common questions

What is the minimum delay to claim?
60 minutes at your final destination. Delays of 60-119 minutes entitle you to 25% of your ticket price. Delays of 120 minutes or more entitle you to 50%.
Which trains are covered?
Most international and long-distance trains in EU member states are covered by EU Regulation 2021/782. UK trains are covered by the Delay Repay scheme, which operates similarly.
Are strikes covered?
Yes. Unlike the previous regulation, strikes are not a force majeure exemption under EU 2021/782. You can claim for delays caused by industrial action.
How long do I have to claim?
You have 90 days from the date of travel to submit your claim.
What if the operator rejects my claim?
You can escalate to your national enforcement body. In the UK, that is the Rail Ombudsman. In Germany, it is the Bundesnetzagentur.
Regulation reference: EU Regulation 2021/782 (trains) and EU Regulation 1177/2010 (ferries). Last updated: March 2026.

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