Italy — Flight Compensation Rights
EC261 in Italy — passenger rights at FCO, MXP, and beyond
Italy is Europe's third-largest aviation market. If your flight departed from Rome, Milan, Venice, or any Italian airport — or you arrived into Italy on an EU carrier — you are protected by EC261. Delays of 3+ hours qualify for up to €600 compensation.
Maximum compensation
€600
per passenger, per flight
Compensation amounts in Italy
EC261 applies to all flights departing Italian airports and to flights arriving into Italy on EU/EEA-licensed carriers. Italy has a historically strong aviation market and Italian courts have delivered progressive rulings on compensation. ENAC (Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione 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
Claim time limit: 2 years
Italian civil law provides a 2-year limitation period for passenger contract claims (Codice Civile Art. 1495). This is shorter than most EU peers — missing the deadline results in complete loss of your claim.
Who enforces your rights in Italy
National enforcement authority
ENAC (Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile)
ENAC handles aviation regulation and consumer complaints. Italian courts are generally accessible and receptive to EC261 claims, particularly through the Giudice di Pace (Peace Judge) for smaller claims. There is no formal ADR scheme, so escalation typically goes directly to court.
Key airports in Italy
All flights departing these airports are covered by EC261.
Airlines covered in Italy
These carriers operate EC261-covered flights from Italy's airports.
What makes Italy different
Country-specific legal nuances that affect how you claim.
2-year limit — shorter than most EU countries
Italian law gives only 2 years from the disruption date to file a claim. This is shorter than France (5 years), UK (6 years), Germany (3 years), and Spain (3 years). Delays in filing mean losing the claim entirely — act immediately after a disruption.
No formal ADR scheme — direct court escalation
Italy does not have an airlines-specific ADR scheme like Germany's SÖP or the UK's CEDR. Claims escalate directly from airline rejection to court. The Giudice di Pace (Peace Judge) handles small claims; no legal representation needed for amounts under €2,100.
ITA Airways replaced Alitalia in 2021
Alitalia ceased operations in October 2021. ITA Airways took over many Alitalia routes and liabilities. If your claim involves an Alitalia flight, determine whether it can be transferred to ITA Airways or pursued through Alitalia's liquidation proceedings.
How to claim in Italy
Italian EC261 claims require prompt action. The 2-year window is the shortest in the EU. File with the airline immediately, and escalate to the Giudice di Pace or Tribunale if rejected.
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 Giudice di Pace (local Peace Court) for amounts under €2,100 — no legal representation needed. For larger amounts, use the Tribunale. Court fees are modest (€25–€50 for small claims).
Receive your compensation
ENAC can be contacted to report systemic non-compliance, but this does not directly recover your compensation. Court action is the primary enforcement mechanism.
Frequently asked questions — Italy
How long do I have to claim from Italy?
Only 2 years from the date of disruption — the shortest in the EU. File your claim as soon as possible. After 2 years, you lose the right to claim entirely.
Does EC261 apply to all flights from Italian airports?
Yes — all flights departing Italy, regardless of airline nationality. Arriving flights are covered if the airline is EU-registered.
Do I need a lawyer for an Italian court claim?
Not for small claims (under €2,100) — the Giudice di Pace allows self-representation. For larger amounts, legal representation is advisable but not mandatory.
What happened to Alitalia?
Alitalia ceased operations in October 2021 and was replaced by ITA Airways. Most Alitalia liabilities transferred to ITA Airways, but some historical claims may go through insolvency proceedings.
Was your Italy flight disrupted?
Check your entitlement in under 2 minutes. No win, no fee.