EU261 · enforcement
Claiming against an airline in Germany
The compensation rules are identical across the EU — that is the point of a Regulation. What changes at the border is the deadline, the regulator and the court.
Time limit
3 years, running from the end of the calendar year of the flight
BGB §195 and §199
Court route
Amtsgericht; söp is the recognised conciliation body
Used only after the airline and the regulator.
The calendar-year rule works in your favour: a January 2024 flight runs to 31 December 2027, not January 2027.
The order to do it in
- Write to the airline, quoting Article 7 and the flight. Free.
- Wait 28 days.
- Complain to Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) if refused. Still free.
- Amtsgericht; söp is the recognised conciliation body if that fails.
- A claims service only once the free routes are exhausted.
Questions
How long do I have to claim flight compensation in Germany?
3 years, running from the end of the calendar year of the flight. BGB §195 and §199.
Who enforces air passenger rights in Germany?
Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA). Complaining to them is free and does not stop you going to court afterwards.
Which court hears flight compensation claims in Germany?
Amtsgericht; söp is the recognised conciliation body.