GermanyWhen am I entitled to compensation for a cancelled flight?
You’re entitled to EU flight cancellation compensation (€250–€600) if your flight was cancelled less than 14 days before departure and the airline can’t prove extraordinary circumstances beyond its control.
What the Law Says
Your right to compensation for a cancelled flight in Germany comes from EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 — directly applicable law in all EU member states, including Germany. It sets clear rules on passenger rights, regardless of the airline’s nationality, as long as the flight departs from an EU airport or is operated by an EU airline arriving in the EU.
You are entitled to fixed compensation if your flight is cancelled and you were not informed at least 14 days before the scheduled departure time. The amount depends on flight distance: €250 for flights up to 1,500 km; €400 for intra-EU flights over 1,500 km and all other flights between 1,500–3,500 km; and €600 for all flights over 3,500 km.
However, no compensation is due if the airline proves the cancellation resulted from 'extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken' — and that it took all reasonable measures to avoid the cancellation. Importantly, staffing shortages, operational inefficiencies, or technical issues known in advance do NOT qualify as extraordinary circumstances.
You also have the right to care (meals, refreshments, accommodation if delayed overnight) and re-routing (earliest possible alternative flight or full refund) — regardless of whether compensation applies.
What Courts Have Said
German courts, especially the Bundesgerichtshof (BGH), have clarified key aspects of EU 261/2004 — particularly the airline’s strict burden of proof and the narrow definition of 'extraordinary circumstances'.
Confirmed that passengers are entitled to flat-rate compensation of EUR 250–600 for flights delayed by 3+ hours at arrival, unless the airline proves extraordinary circumstances beyond its control.
Held that airlines bear the full burden of proving both extraordinary circumstances AND that all reasonable measures were taken to avoid cancellation — and ruled that staffing shortages are not extraordinary.
What to Do
Keep your booking confirmation, boarding pass, and any cancellation notice (email, SMS, or app notification).
Check if you were informed of the cancellation at least 14 days before departure — if not, you likely qualify for compensation.
Contact the airline in writing (email preferred) with your claim, quoting EU Regulation 261/2004 and referencing BGH X ZR 8/22 if they cite staffing or internal issues.
If the airline refuses without valid justification, file a complaint with the German Aviation Authority (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt) or pursue small claims via the EU’s online dispute platform (ec.europa.eu/consumers/redress_complaint).
Sources
Related Questions
Same Question, Other Jurisdictions
Canada
Australia
Ireland
Singapore
European Union
India
South Korea
UK
US Federal
JapanNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: June 2026.