Germany flight compensation: how to escalate a refused claim
Germany applies EU261 in full and gives passengers unusually strong escalation routes when an airline refuses to pay: a national enforcement body, a free arbitration scheme for consumers, and accessible local courts.
Checked by the FlightCompensations editorial team
Last updated 17 August 2026 · Editorial & corrections policy
How does Germany flight compensation work?
Key takeaways
- The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) is Germany's EU261 enforcement body — it supervises airlines and can act on complaints, though it does not award your money directly.
- söp (Schlichtungsstelle für den öffentlichen Personenverkehr) offers arbitration that is free of charge for consumers, and most large airlines participate.
- The standard limitation period is 3 years, counted from the end of the year in which the flight took place (§ 195 BGB) — so a flight in March and a flight in December of the same year expire on the same date.
- If arbitration fails, EU261 claims can be brought before the local Amtsgericht, where amounts of this size are handled.
- Always claim from the airline in writing first — both söp and the courts expect the airline to have had a chance to respond.
Which situations qualify, and which usually don't?
May qualify for compensation
- Your flight departed a German airport on any airline, or arrived in Germany on an EU/EEA carrier.
- You have a qualifying EU261 disruption: a delay of 3+ hours at the final destination, a short-notice cancellation, or denied boarding.
- You claimed from the airline in writing and it refused, underpaid or failed to respond.
- You are within the German limitation period — generally 3 years from the end of the year of the flight.
- For söp arbitration: you are claiming as a consumer and the airline participates in the scheme.
Usually excluded
- Disruptions the airline can prove were caused by extraordinary circumstances (for example severe weather or air traffic control restrictions).
- Claims where the 3-year German limitation period has already expired.
- Flights with no German or EU261 connection (for example a non-EU airline between two non-EU airports).
- Purely commercial or business-account disputes may fall outside söp's consumer arbitration remit.
Which rules apply to your flight?
The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) is the national enforcement body designated under EU261 for Germany. You can file a complaint with it when an airline breaches the regulation — for example by refusing a valid claim without proper justification.
The LBA's role is supervisory: it can investigate and sanction airlines, which puts real pressure on them, but it does not order the airline to pay you and its findings are not a judgment. Treat an LBA complaint as leverage alongside — not instead of — arbitration or court.
How much compensation can you get?
EU261 compensation by flight distance
| Flight | Amount |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | €250 |
| 1,500–3,500 km (and all intra-EU flights over 1,500 km) | €400 |
| Over 3,500 km | €600 |
Per passenger, for a qualifying EU261 delay, cancellation or denied boarding. The amount depends on distance, not on what you paid for the ticket.
How do you make an LBA complaint?
- 1Send the airline a written claim with your flight details and keep proof of when you sent it.
- 2If the airline refuses or stays silent for around two months, file with söp (free for consumers) or complain to the LBA.
- 3Diarise your deadline: 3 years from the end of the year of the flight (§ 195 BGB).
- 4If arbitration fails on a strong claim, consider proceedings at the competent Amtsgericht.
- 5Or let us run the whole process for you — check your flight in a few seconds.
Which documents should you keep?
How do söp arbitration and the court route work?
- 1Check your flight — we assess eligibility under EU261 and German limitation rules.
- 2We prepare and submit the claim to the airline and handle its response.
- 3If a valid claim is refused, we escalate to the enforcement body or arbitration, or recommend the court route.
- 4No win, no fee: you only pay our fixed €39 success fee when compensation is recovered.
Frequently asked questions
Is the söp arbitration procedure really free?
Yes — for consumers, söp arbitration is free of charge. The scheme is funded by the participating transport companies. You are also not bound by the outcome: if you disagree with the recommendation, you can still take the claim to court.
How long do I have to claim in Germany?
The standard German limitation period of 3 years applies (§ 195 BGB), counted from the end of the year in which the flight took place. A flight flown at any point in 2024, for example, generally becomes time-barred at the end of 2027. Exact application can depend on the circumstances, so do not leave it late. The EU261 reform approved in July 2026 will replace national limits like this one with a single 9-month deadline across the EU, expected from the second half of 2027; until then the national limit applies.
Will the LBA get my money back?
Not directly. The LBA enforces EU261 against airlines at a regulatory level — it can investigate and sanction breaches — but it does not decide your individual payout. For the money itself, use söp arbitration or, if needed, the Amtsgericht.
Do I need a lawyer for the Amtsgericht?
For claims of typical EU261 size before the Amtsgericht, representation by a lawyer is generally not mandatory, though many passengers use one. Whether court is worth it depends on the strength of the claim and the airline's stance — arbitration is usually the easier first step.
Sources
- Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 — the regulation itself, in every EU language
- Cuadrench Moré v KLM (C-139/11) — national law sets the deadline to sue, and it varies widely
Does your flight qualify?
Free in about 15 seconds. You receive the airline's compensation and pay only our fixed €39 fee after success.
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