EU Baggage Delay Compensation: What You're Owed and How to Claim It

Your flight landed. You waited at the carousel. Everyone else collected their bags and left. Yours never came.

Whether your luggage was delayed by a day or lost entirely, EU rules give you real remedies — and most airlines don't advertise them. This guide covers exactly what you're owed, the paperwork you need to file, and how to get paid even if the airline pushes back.

---

Quick Summary: Two Different Laws Cover You

Unlike flight delays (which fall under EC Regulation 261/2004), baggage compensation is governed by the Montreal Convention — an international treaty signed by the EU, US, and 130+ other countries.

Situation	Law	Max Compensation
Flight delayed 3+ hours	EC 261/2004	€250–€600
Baggage delayed	Montreal Convention	~€1,600
Baggage lost or destroyed	Montreal Convention	~€1,600
Baggage damaged	Montreal Convention	Repair cost up to ~€1,600

The €1,600 figure is the 1,288 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) limit set by the Montreal Convention. In Euros, this converts to roughly €1,580–€1,650 depending on the exchange rate.

Important: These rules are separate from EC261. A delayed flight AND delayed baggage means you may have two separate claims — one under EC261 for your time, and one under the Montreal Convention for your luggage.

---

What Counts as "Delayed" vs "Lost" Baggage?

Airlines define luggage as lost after 21 days. Before that, it's officially "delayed" — even if you have zero idea where it is.

This matters because:

• Delayed baggage: You can claim for essential expenses incurred while waiting (toiletries, emergency clothing, medication)
• Lost baggage: You can claim for the full replacement value of contents (up to the SDR limit)

Most passengers experience delayed bags, not truly lost ones. Airlines typically locate and deliver delayed bags within 24–72 hours for European routes.

---

Step 1: File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) — Before You Leave the Airport

This is non-negotiable. If you leave the airport without filing a PIR, your claim becomes significantly harder to win.

Where to go: The airline's baggage desk in the arrivals hall (usually near the baggage carousel).

What the PIR does:

• Creates an official record that your bag didn't arrive
• Gives you a reference number for tracking
• Starts the clock on your claim

Get a copy of the PIR — either a printed receipt or an email confirmation. You'll need this later.

If the baggage desk is unmanned (this happens on late-night arrivals), photograph the area, keep all your boarding passes, and report to the airline via their app or website within 24 hours.

---

Step 2: Track Your Bag

Most airlines have a baggage tracking portal. Use your PIR reference number to check status daily. Common systems:

• Ryanair: ryanair.com/en/cheap-flights/help/baggage/lost-stolen-or-damaged-baggage
• easyJet: easyjet.com/en/help/baggage/delayed-or-lost-baggage
• Lufthansa / Eurowings: worldtracer.aero
• KLM / Air France / Transavia: worldtracer.aero

Most bags in the WorldTracer system are located within 3–5 days. If tracking shows no movement after 5 days, escalate to a formal claim.

---

Step 3: Keep All Receipts for Essential Expenses

While waiting for your bag, you're entitled to claim reasonable, necessary expenses. This typically includes:

• Basic toiletries (toothbrush, deodorant, razor)
• Emergency clothing (if you have a business meeting, wedding, or are in a climate different from home)
• Medication you packed in your checked bag (keep the prescription)

What airlines won't pay for:

• Luxury items (designer clothing to replace a delayed suit isn't reimbursable)
• Expenses you would have incurred anyway
• Items bought before you confirmed the bag was missing

Keep every receipt with date, time, and store name. Airlines typically reimburse €50–€150 for the first night if baggage is delayed, scaling down for shorter delays.

---

Step 4: Submit Your Claim

Timeline Limits (Don't Miss These)

Claim Type	Deadline
Delayed baggage expenses	21 days from receiving the bag
Lost baggage	2 years from the scheduled arrival date
Damaged baggage	7 days from receiving the bag

The 21-day deadline for delayed baggage is the most commonly missed. If your bag arrived 3 days late and you spent €80 on toiletries and a shirt, you have 21 days from when you got the bag back to file.

What to Include in Your Claim

• PIR reference number and a copy of the PIR
• Flight booking confirmation with PNR
• Boarding pass(es)
• Itemised list of expenses with receipts
• Bank account details for reimbursement
• For lost baggage: an inventory of contents with estimated values and purchase dates

How to Submit

Most airlines accept claims via:

• Their official baggage claim portal (fastest)
• Registered/recorded letter to their customer service address (best paper trail)
• Email to their baggage department (keep sent copies)

---

What If the Airline Rejects Your Claim or Goes Silent?

Airlines routinely deny or underpay baggage claims. Common tactics:

"We'll give you a voucher instead of cash" — You're entitled to cash. You do not have to accept a travel voucher. Say no.

"You didn't prove the contents were in the bag" — You don't need receipts for everything packed. A reasonable inventory based on the trip purpose (business trip, beach holiday, ski vacation) is generally accepted by courts and regulators.

"Your expenses weren't essential" — Push back with context. Emergency clothing for a work conference or winter gear for a ski trip that arrived mid-week is clearly essential.

Escalation path:

1. Internal escalation: Ask for the claim to be reviewed by a supervisor
2. National regulator: In the UK, file with CAA. In the EU, each country has a National Enforcement Body (NEB) — for Germany it's Luftfahrt-Bundesamt, for France it's DGAC, for the Netherlands it's ILT
3. ADR scheme: In the UK, use CEDR or Aviation ADR. In EU countries, most have free alternative dispute resolution schemes
4. Small claims court: For amounts under €2,000, small claims courts across Europe are extremely effective for baggage disputes

---

Does EC261 Ever Cover Baggage?

Technically, EC261 covers "loss, damage or delay of baggage." However, EC261 has a maximum compensation amount of €1,285 SDRs for baggage (the same as Montreal Convention), and courts generally apply the Montreal Convention framework for calculating baggage losses.

Where EC261 does add value:

• If your bag being lost caused you to miss a connection or re-route, the consequential flight disruption may be claimable under EC261 as well
• EC261 requires airlines to provide care and assistance (meals, accommodation) during long delays — if a bag delay stranded you somewhere, this may apply

---

If Your Bag Was Damaged

Damaged baggage follows a similar process but has a 7-day filing deadline (not 21). File a PIR at the airport, photograph the damage before leaving the arrivals hall, and submit a claim with photos and a repair estimate.

Airlines prefer to offer "ex gratia" payments rather than accepting full liability under the Montreal Convention. Always counter with the repair estimate or replacement cost.

---

Summary: Baggage Delay Compensation Checklist

• Filed PIR at airport before leaving arrivals
• Got PIR reference number and copy
• Tracking bag via airline portal
• Keeping all receipts for essential expenses
• Know the 21-day filing deadline (from bag return)
• Submitted claim with receipts and PIR reference
• Rejected? Escalated to national regulator or ADR scheme

---

For compensation on the delayed or cancelled flight itself, see our EC261 Complete Guide. If your bag was lost on a Transavia, KLM, or easyJet flight, our airline-specific guides cover their exact claim processes.