Ireland — Flight Compensation Rights
EC261 in Ireland — Ryanair's home jurisdiction and a 6-year claim window
Ireland punches above its weight in aviation law: it's home to Ryanair and has a 6-year EC261 claim window — the longest in the EU. If your flight departed Dublin, Cork, or Shannon, you have strong rights and more time to act than anywhere else in Europe.
Maximum compensation
€600
per passenger, per flight
Compensation amounts in Ireland
EC261 applies to all flights departing Irish airports and to flights arriving into Ireland on EU/EEA-licensed carriers. Ireland is strategically important: Ryanair, the world's largest European low-cost carrier, is headquartered in Dublin, making Ireland home to more EC261 disputes than almost any other EU state. Ireland has the most generous claim window in the EU — 6 years under the Statute of Limitations Act 1957.
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: 6 years
Ireland's Statute of Limitations Act 1957 provides a 6-year limitation period for contractual claims — the most generous in the EU. Flights disrupted up to 6 years ago may still be claimable under Irish jurisdiction, making Ireland one of the most claimant-friendly jurisdictions in Europe for EC261 purposes.
Who enforces your rights in Ireland
National enforcement authority
Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR)
The Commission for Aviation Regulation accepts individual passenger complaints and can investigate airlines for EC261 non-compliance. CAR has taken enforcement action against Ryanair on multiple occasions. The SARP (Small Claims for Air Passengers Rights) scheme and the Irish Small Claims Court (District Court) are the primary claim resolution routes.
Key airports in Ireland
All flights departing these airports are covered by EC261.
Airlines covered in Ireland
These carriers operate EC261-covered flights from Ireland's airports.
What makes Ireland different
Country-specific legal nuances that affect how you claim.
Ryanair HQ in Dublin — Irish courts are natural venue
Because Ryanair is incorporated in Ireland, the Irish courts have natural jurisdiction over Ryanair claims even for flights departing non-Irish airports. The Irish Small Claims Court (District Court, scsOnline.ie) allows online filing for claims up to €2,000 for just €25. For larger claims, the Circuit Court is available.
6-year limit — the most generous in the EU
Ireland's Statute of Limitations Act 1957 gives 6 years for contractual claims — the longest EC261 window in the EU. Flights disrupted as far back as 2019 may still be claimable if they departed Irish airports (or on Irish carriers). This is a significant advantage for passengers who delayed filing.
SARP — small claims for aviation rights
CAR operates the SARP (Small Claims for Air Passenger Rights) online process at aviationreg.ie — a free service that helps passengers file EC261 complaints. CAR investigates the complaint and can issue a determination. This is the recommended first step before court action.
Ryanair's extraordinary circumstances playbook
Ryanair frequently cites ATC capacity restrictions, airport slot pressure, and weather events to deny claims. They have been found by CAR and Irish courts to have incorrectly applied this defence in numerous cases. Any rejection citing extraordinary circumstances should be scrutinised — Ryanair bears the burden of proof.
How to claim in Ireland
Irish EC261 claims benefit from a 6-year window and two clear escalation paths: SARP (free, CAR-administered) or the Irish Small Claims Court (€25 fee). Both routes are effective against Ryanair.
Submit your claim
Tell us your flight details and we'll assess your entitlement under EC261 — no upfront cost.
Escalate if needed
File a SARP complaint at aviationreg.ie/SARP — free, formally investigated by CAR, and produces a written determination. If the airline rejects CAR's determination, or if you prefer a faster legally binding outcome, file in the Irish Small Claims Court online at scsOnline.ie (€25, up to €2,000) or the Circuit Court for larger amounts.
Receive your compensation
CAR determinations are admissible in Irish court proceedings and significantly strengthen your case. Ryanair has a history of settling before Irish court hearings — filing MCOL (UK) or the Irish equivalent is often sufficient to trigger payment.
Frequently asked questions — Ireland
Can I sue Ryanair in Ireland for a flight that departed another country?
Yes — because Ryanair is incorporated in Ireland, Irish courts have jurisdiction. This is particularly useful for UK or EU flights where the local enforcement pathway is weaker. The Irish Small Claims Court is accessible online.
What is the SARP process?
SARP (Small Claims for Air Passenger Rights) is a free complaint service run by CAR. File at aviationreg.ie with your booking reference and details of the disruption. CAR investigates and issues a written determination — airlines under CAR supervision are strongly incentivised to comply.
How long do I have to claim from Ireland?
6 years under Ireland's Statute of Limitations Act 1957 — the longest EC261 window in the EU. You could potentially claim for a disruption from 2019 if it departed an Irish airport.
Does EC261 apply to flights from Dublin to the US?
Yes — any flight departing Dublin Airport is covered by EC261, regardless of destination. The origin airport is what matters, not the destination.
Ryanair rejected my claim citing extraordinary circumstances. What should I do?
File a SARP complaint with CAR immediately. Ryanair bears the burden of proving the extraordinary circumstances defence. CAR has found against Ryanair on this point in many cases. If SARP doesn't resolve it, the Irish Small Claims Court (€25) is a highly effective next step.
Was your Ireland flight disrupted?
Check your entitlement in under 2 minutes. No win, no fee.