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.
Compensation under EU Regulation 2021/782
| Delay | You are owed | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 60–119 minutes | 25% of ticket price | €25 on a €100 ticket |
| 120+ minutes | 50% of ticket price | €50 on a €100 ticket |
| Cancellation | Full refund or rerouting | Full ticket price refunded |
| Missed connection | 25–50% based on total delay | Calculated on full journey ticket |
| Regulation | EU 2021/782 | |
How to claim
- Check your delay: confirm your train arrived 60+ minutes late at your final destination.
- Gather evidence: save your ticket, booking confirmation, and any delay announcements.
- Submit your claim: use TrainOwed to file within 90 days of travel.
- Receive compensation: the operator must respond within 30 days. TrainOwed follows up if they do not.