Belgium — Flight Compensation Rights
EC261 in Belgium — passenger rights at BRU with a 1-year deadline
Belgium's aviation market is centred on Brussels, one of Europe's key hubs. If your flight departed Brussels or any Belgian airport — or you arrived into Belgium on an EU carrier — EC261 applies. Claim within 1 year for delays of 3+ hours: up to €600 per passenger.
Maximum compensation
€600
per passenger, per flight
Compensation amounts in Belgium
EC261 applies to all flights departing Belgian airports and to flights arriving into Belgium on EU/EEA-licensed carriers. Belgium's principal airport, Brussels, is one of Europe's major hubs. DGAC (Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile) is the national enforcement authority.
Tier 1
Up to 1,500 km
Short-haul
€250
Tier 2
1,500–3,500 km
Medium-haul
€400
Tier 3
Over 3,500 km
Long-haul
€600
⚡ 1 year claim window — shortest in the EU
Belgian law provides a 1-year limitation period for passenger contract claims — the shortest in the EU. This creates significant urgency: you must file within 12 months of the disruption or lose your claim entirely.
Who enforces your rights in Belgium
National enforcement authority
Directorate-General for Air Transport (DGTA/DGLV)
Belgium's directorate handles aviation regulation. There is no formal ADR scheme, so claims escalate directly to Belgian courts. The Tribunal de Commerce (Commercial Court) is the primary venue.
Key airports in Belgium
All flights departing these airports are covered by EC261.
Airlines covered in Belgium
These carriers operate EC261-covered flights from Belgium's airports.
What makes Belgium different
Country-specific legal nuances that affect how you claim.
Belgium has the EU's shortest claim window — 1 year
Belgian law (Loi du Contrat de Transport) limits passenger contract claims to 1 year from the date of disruption. This is the shortest in the entire EU. You must file with the airline, escalate to court, or exhaust all remedies within 12 months. After 1 year, your claim expires permanently.
No formal ADR scheme — immediate court escalation necessary
Belgium does not have an airlines-specific ADR scheme like Germany or the UK. Claims escalate directly to the Tribunal de Commerce. With only 1 year to claim, you must act immediately upon rejection.
Brussels Airlines — the dominant carrier
Brussels Airlines operates the majority of full-service flights from Brussels. Claims against Brussels Airlines may settle faster than low-cost carriers, but EC261 rights are identical.
How to claim in Belgium
Belgian EC261 claims operate under extreme time pressure. You have only 1 year to file from the disruption date. Contact the airline immediately and escalate to the Tribunal de Commerce without delay.
Submit your claim
Tell us your flight details and we'll assess your entitlement under EC261 — no upfront cost.
Escalate if needed
If the airline rejects your claim, file immediately in the Tribunal de Commerce (Commercial Court) Brussels. The 1-year deadline applies to the entire process, so do not delay. Court fees are modest (€30–€50).
Receive your compensation
DGTA can be contacted to report systemic non-compliance, but this does not recover your compensation. Court action is mandatory within the 1-year window.
Frequently asked questions — Belgium
How long do I have to claim from Belgium?
Only 1 year from the disruption date — the shortest in the EU. This is critical: file immediately with the airline and escalate to court without delay. After 12 months, your claim expires permanently.
Does EC261 apply to all flights from Belgian airports?
Yes — all flights departing Belgium, regardless of airline nationality. Arriving flights are covered if the airline is EU-registered.
What is the fastest way to claim in Belgium?
File with the airline within days of the disruption. If they reject or delay, immediately escalate to the Tribunal de Commerce. Do not wait — time is your enemy.
Can I claim for a flight from Brussels Charleroi (CRL) instead of Brussels (BRU)?
Yes — EC261 applies to all Belgian airports including CRL. The 1-year deadline applies regardless of which airport you departed from.
Was your Belgium flight disrupted?
Check your entitlement in under 2 minutes. No win, no fee.⚡ Remember: Belgium's 1 year limit applies — don't wait.