Germany — Flight Compensation Rights
EC261 in Germany — passenger rights at FRA, MUC, BER, and beyond
Germany processes over 220 million air passengers a year across its network of major airports. If your flight departed a German airport — or you arrived into Germany on an EU carrier — you have strong EC261 rights. German courts are widely regarded as claimant-friendly, and the free SÖP scheme makes escalation easy.
Maximum compensation
€600
per passenger, per flight
Compensation amounts in Germany
EC261 applies to all flights departing German airports and to flights arriving into Germany on EU/EEA carriers. Germany has one of the most active EC261 claim cultures in Europe — German courts have delivered progressive judgments on technical faults, and the free SÖP ADR scheme has made claims accessible without legal representation. The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) acts as 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
Claim time limit: 3 years
German civil law (BGB §195) provides a standard 3-year limitation period, calculated from the end of the calendar year in which the disruption occurred. Example: a flight disrupted in March 2023 has a deadline of 31 December 2026. This is shorter than UK or French limits — missing it means losing your claim entirely.
Who enforces your rights in Germany
National enforcement authority
Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA)
The LBA supervises aviation safety and EC261 compliance but does not handle individual claims directly. The recommended route for passengers is the SÖP (Schlichtungsstelle für den öffentlichen Personenverkehr), Germany's free all-transport ADR scheme, which covers all airlines operating from German airports.
Key airports in Germany
All flights departing these airports are covered by EC261.
Airlines covered in Germany
These carriers operate EC261-covered flights from Germany's airports.
What makes Germany different
Country-specific legal nuances that affect how you claim.
SÖP — Germany's free ADR scheme (all airlines)
The Schlichtungsstelle für den öffentlichen Personenverkehr (SÖP) covers all modes of public transport including flights. Unlike UK ADR schemes, SÖP covers you even if the airline hasn't voluntarily joined — any airline operating from Germany is subject to SÖP. The process is free and typically resolves within 90 days.
German courts are claimant-friendly on technical faults
German courts — particularly the Amtsgericht Frankfurt — have a track record of ruling that aircraft technical faults are ordinary operating risks, not extraordinary circumstances. This means airlines like Lufthansa and Eurowings struggle to use technical defects as a defence for German-departing flights.
3-year BGB deadline runs from end of calendar year
German limitation is calculated from 31 December of the year the disruption occurred — not the disruption date itself. A flight disrupted on 5 January 2023 technically gives you until 31 December 2026 (3 full years from end of 2023). But don't rely on this — file as early as possible.
Lufthansa strike complexity
Lufthansa has experienced repeated industrial action. Strikes by Lufthansa's own pilots and cabin crew (ver.di, UFO) are NOT extraordinary circumstances under Krüsemann — compensation is payable. Wildcat strikes or sympathy strikes are a greyer area. Always verify the specific cause before accepting a rejection.
How to claim in Germany
German EC261 claims are well-supported by the SÖP scheme. Start with the airline's customer service, escalate to SÖP within 6 weeks if no resolution, and use the Amtsgericht (local court) as a final step.
Submit your claim
Tell us your flight details and we'll assess your entitlement under EC261 — no upfront cost.
Escalate if needed
File a SÖP complaint at soep-online.de — free for any passenger on any airline operating from Germany. Provide your booking confirmation, boarding pass, and any airline rejection letter. SÖP resolution typically takes 60–90 days and is binding on participating airlines.
Receive your compensation
If SÖP doesn't resolve your case, file in the Amtsgericht (local court) with jurisdiction. Court fees for a €250 claim are approximately €35. German judges consistently rule against 'technical fault = extraordinary circumstances' arguments.
Frequently asked questions — Germany
Is SÖP mandatory for German airlines?
SÖP covers all airlines operating from Germany by law — airlines cannot opt out of being subject to it, unlike UK ADR schemes. Any airline operating a German departure must engage with SÖP if a claim is filed.
Lufthansa blamed a technical fault for my delay. Can I still claim?
Almost certainly yes. German courts, including the influential Amtsgericht Frankfurt, consistently rule that aircraft technical faults are foreseeable operational risks, not extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline's control. This argument rarely succeeds in German courts.
What is the German claim time limit?
3 years under BGB §195, calculated from the end of the calendar year in which your disruption occurred. So a January 2023 disruption gives you until 31 December 2026. Don't leave it to the last minute — file as soon as you can.
Can I file a German court claim if I live abroad?
Yes. If your flight departed a German airport, the Amtsgericht with jurisdiction over the airline's German registered office (e.g., Amtsgericht Frankfurt for Lufthansa) will hear your case. You can submit documents electronically.
Does EC261 cover Eurowings delays?
Yes. Eurowings is a German-registered EU carrier operating from German airports. EC261 applies in full. Claims follow the same SÖP pathway as Lufthansa.
Was your Germany flight disrupted?
Check your entitlement in under 2 minutes. No win, no fee.