Hungary — Flight Compensation Rights
EC261 in Hungary — passenger rights at BUD and beyond
Budapest is Central Europe's fastest-growing aviation hub and home to Wizz Air. If your flight departed Budapest or any Hungarian airport — or you arrived into Hungary on an EU carrier — EC261 applies. Up to €600 for 3+ hour delays.
Maximum compensation
€600
per passenger, per flight
Claim time limit
2 years
Regulation
EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004
Enforcement body
BKK/HCAA
Compensation amounts in Hungary
EC261 applies to all flights departing Hungarian airports and to flights arriving into Hungary on EU/EEA-licensed carriers. Budapest is one of Central Europe's growing aviation hubs, with Wizz Air maintaining its primary base. Hungarian aviation regulation falls under the Ministry of Infrastructure.
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: 2 years
Hungarian law provides a 2-year limitation period for passenger contract claims. The clock runs from the date of the disruption.
Who enforces your rights in Hungary
National enforcement authority
Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) / Hungarian Civil Aviation Authority
Hungarian aviation regulation is handled by the transport ministry. Claims escalate to Hungarian courts (törvényszék). There is no formal ADR scheme, but Hungarian courts are accessible.
Key airports in Hungary
All flights departing these airports are covered by EC261.
Airlines covered in Hungary
These carriers operate EC261-covered flights from Hungary's airports.
What makes Hungary different
Country-specific legal nuances that affect how you claim.
Wizz Air — Hungary's airline, based in Budapest
Wizz Air is incorporated in Hungary and operates its largest hub in Budapest. This gives Hungarian courts significant jurisdiction over Wizz Air disputes. Wizz Air has well-established legal processes.
Budapest — Central Europe's growing aviation hub
Budapest has evolved into one of Central Europe's most important aviation hubs, serving as a gateway to Eastern Europe, Russia, and the Middle East. Its importance continues to grow.
Hungarian courts are accessible and efficient
Hungarian courts (törvényszék) are accessible for EC261 claims. Court procedures are straightforward and claims typically resolve within 6–9 months.
How to claim in Hungary
Hungarian EC261 claims escalate directly from the airline to Hungarian courts (törvényszék). Hungarian courts are efficient and claimant-friendly.
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 in the appropriate Hungarian court (törvényszék) with jurisdiction. Court fees are modest (€25–€50).
Receive your compensation
The transport ministry can be contacted to report systemic non-compliance, but this does not recover your compensation. Court action is the primary enforcement mechanism.
Frequently asked questions — Hungary
Does EC261 apply to all flights from Hungarian airports?
Yes — all flights departing Hungary, regardless of airline nationality. Arriving flights are covered if the airline is EU-registered.
How long do I have to claim from Hungary?
2 years under Hungarian law, running from the date of the disruption.
Is Wizz Air an EC261 claimant-friendly carrier?
Wizz Air is based in Budapest and subject to Hungarian jurisdiction, which can be advantageous. However, EC261 rights are identical regardless of carrier.
How do I file a court claim in Hungary?
File in the appropriate Hungarian court (törvényszék) with jurisdiction. Hungarian courts accept claims and procedures are straightforward.
Was your Hungary flight disrupted?
Check your entitlement in under 2 minutes. No win, no fee.