Train delay compensation in Europe is governed by EU Regulation 2021/782, which gives passengers the right to claim 25% of their ticket price for delays of 60-119 minutes and 50% for delays of 120 minutes or more. The rules apply across most EU rail services and, in modified form, in the UK under Delay Repay. Most passengers never claim, either because they do not know they are entitled to or because the process is confusing. This page answers the most common questions about eligibility, compensation amounts, force majeure, the claims process, and how TrainOwed works. For more detail on specific topics, see our how it works guide, pricing page, and EU Regulation 2021/782 overview.
Eligibility
Am I entitled to compensation if my train was delayed?
If your train arrived at your final destination 60 minutes or more late, you are entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 2021/782, provided the journey took place within the EU or on an EU-covered service. The delay is measured at your final destination, not at intermediate stops. Compensation is 25% of your ticket price for 60-119 minutes, and 50% for 120 minutes or more. Certain exceptions apply, including force majeure events such as severe weather or strikes, but these exceptions are narrower than most operators suggest.
What counts as a 60-minute delay?
The delay is calculated based on the scheduled arrival time versus the actual arrival time at your final ticketed destination. If your train was split into legs (for example, you changed trains), the delay is measured at the end of the whole journey covered by your ticket. A train that arrives 59 minutes late does not qualify. A train that arrives 60 minutes late does. If the delay fluctuates because you were on a replacement service or a rerouted train, the comparison is always the original scheduled arrival.
Can I claim for a cancelled train?
Yes. If your train was cancelled and you chose not to travel, you are entitled to a full refund of your ticket. If the cancellation caused you to arrive at your destination 60 minutes or more late (for example, because you were put on a later service), you can also claim delay compensation on top of or instead of a refund, depending on the circumstances. If you were offered a replacement journey and it arrived within 60 minutes of the original scheduled time, the delay compensation threshold is not met.
Does it matter which country I was traveling in?
EU Regulation 2021/782 applies to international rail services and to domestic rail services in most EU member states. The UK has its own Delay Repay scheme, which operates under different rules but is also handled by TrainOwed. Switzerland, Norway, and other non-EU countries may follow the regulation voluntarily or have their own national rules. Our eligibility check identifies the applicable rules for your specific journey automatically, so you do not need to know which regime applies.
What if my ticket was a through-ticket covering multiple operators?
If you held a single through-ticket covering multiple train operators or legs, the delay is assessed at your final destination for the entire journey. If the total delay is 60 minutes or more, you can claim. The operator that issued your ticket is responsible for handling the claim for the full journey, even if the delay occurred on a leg operated by a different company. If you had separate tickets for each leg, each leg is assessed independently.
Compensation Amounts
How much compensation will I get?
Under EU Regulation 2021/782, compensation is 25% of the ticket price you paid for the delayed journey if the delay was 60-119 minutes, and 50% if the delay was 120 minutes or more. This applies to the fare you actually paid, not the full undiscounted fare. Some operators, particularly in the UK under Delay Repay, use different thresholds and percentages that can be more generous, including 25% for delays of 15-29 minutes on some services. Our eligibility check applies the correct rules for your specific operator and journey.
How is the compensation calculated for a season ticket?
Season ticket holders are also entitled to compensation. The calculation is based on the daily value of the season ticket for the days affected. For example, if you hold a monthly season ticket worth EUR 200 and you experience a qualifying delay on one day, the daily rate is EUR 200 divided by the number of days in the month, and compensation is calculated as a percentage of that daily rate. Different operators apply this differently, and our system handles the calculation for you.
Is there a minimum compensation amount?
EU Regulation 2021/782 does not set a minimum cash threshold for compensation. However, some operators set a minimum claim value of EUR 4 or EUR 5, below which they do not process cash payouts and may instead offer a travel voucher of equivalent value. If the compensation amount is very small, we will let you know before you proceed, so you can decide whether it is worth claiming.
What if I paid nothing for the ticket (reward points, company travel)?
If you paid nothing for your ticket, your compensation entitlement under EU Regulation 2021/782 is based on the actual cost you paid, which is zero. Compensation is calculated as a percentage of the ticket price paid. If your employer paid for the ticket, the right to claim belongs to the ticket purchaser, which may be your employer rather than you. If you used loyalty points to redeem a ticket that had a stated monetary value, you may be able to claim based on that stated value, though operators sometimes dispute this.
Force Majeure and Exceptions
Can I claim if the delay was caused by bad weather?
It depends on the severity. EU Regulation 2021/782 allows operators to refuse compensation for delays caused by extraordinary circumstances that could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Mild or seasonal bad weather does not meet this threshold. A once-in-a-decade extreme storm might. Operators frequently invoke weather as an excuse for delays that were actually within their control or that resulted from poor contingency planning. We assess each case individually and challenge weather-based rejections where the claim has merit.
Can I claim if the delay was caused by a strike?
Strikes by the operator's own staff are generally not considered force majeure under EU rail law, unlike in the aviation sector. This means you can usually still claim compensation for delays caused by strikes at the train operator, since the operator could theoretically have settled the dispute. Strikes by third parties (such as port workers blocking rail lines) are more complex and may qualify as extraordinary circumstances. We review strike-related rejections case by case.
What qualifies as force majeure under EU 2021/782?
Force majeure under EU Regulation 2021/782 covers extraordinary circumstances that the operator could not have avoided or mitigated even with all reasonable precautions. This includes rare natural disasters, serious security threats affecting the rail network, and certain third-party actions outside the operator's control. The standard is deliberately high. Congestion on the network, infrastructure failures caused by deferred maintenance, and other foreseeable operational problems do not qualify.
What doesn't qualify as force majeure?
Routine disruptions, even significant ones, do not qualify as force majeure. This includes: signal failures caused by technical faults the operator is responsible for, infrastructure problems on tracks the operator manages, train defects or rolling stock problems, driver shortages, operational errors, and delays caused by congestion from other late trains. Operators sometimes claim force majeure for these events. We push back when they do, and national enforcement bodies frequently side with passengers on this issue.
The Claims Process
How long do I have to submit a claim?
Deadlines vary by operator and country. Most operators set a 1-year window from the date of travel, and some explicitly state this in their terms. Under national contract law in several EU countries, you may have up to 3 years. The safest approach is to submit as soon as possible after the delay. TrainOwed retains your journey details once you enter them, so you can return and complete a claim later if you are not ready immediately. But do not leave it too long.
How long does it take to get my money?
Under EU Regulation 2021/782, operators must respond to your claim within one month and pay within one month of accepting the claim. In practice, straightforward claims from compliant operators are resolved in 6-10 weeks. Operators with high claim volumes, or those that routinely reject first submissions, can take longer once appeals are factored in. We track your claim against these legal deadlines and escalate if an operator is dragging its feet.
What if the operator rejects my claim?
Rejection is common, particularly for first-time claimants or claims that challenge an operator's preferred interpretation of force majeure or extraordinary circumstances. If your claim is rejected, TrainOwed reviews the rejection reason, prepares a formal appeal, and resubmits. If internal appeals fail, we can refer your case to the relevant national enforcement body, which in most EU countries is an independent rail regulator with the power to compel the operator to pay. You pay nothing extra during this process.
What documents do I need to claim?
At minimum, you need proof that you held a valid ticket and evidence of the delay. A booking confirmation email or e-ticket is sufficient for most operators. Some operators ask for a boarding pass or station stamp, but these requirements are rare for rail. If you lost your ticket, a bank statement showing the purchase or a screenshot of the booking confirmation may be accepted. TrainOwed advises on what documentation is needed for your specific operator at the time of claim.
TrainOwed Specifically
How does TrainOwed make money?
TrainOwed charges a 25% success fee on the compensation we recover for you. If the claim fails, you pay nothing. We have no other charges. Our revenue depends entirely on winning claims for our users, which means our interests are fully aligned with yours. For a detailed explanation with worked examples, see our pricing page.
Is TrainOwed legitimate?
Yes. TrainOwed is a regulated claims management service operating under EU consumer protection law. We operate the same model as our sister service FlightOwed, which has handled thousands of flight compensation claims across Europe. We are transparent about our fees, our process, and the limits of what we can achieve. If a claim has no realistic prospect of success, we tell you before you submit rather than take it on and waste your time.
Which train operators does TrainOwed cover?
We cover the major European rail operators including Deutsche Bahn, SNCF, Eurostar, Thalys, Trenitalia, Renfe, NS (Netherlands), OBB (Austria), and many more. We also handle UK Delay Repay claims across the major train operating companies. Coverage is expanding continuously. When you enter your journey details, the system confirms in real time whether your operator is covered. If it is not, we let you know and explain your options for claiming directly.
Still have a question that is not answered here? You can also read about eligibility in detail or check which train operators we cover.
Ready to check if you have a claim?
30 seconds to check. No win, no fee. No upfront cost.
Start My Claim