How to claim train delay compensation in Europe (step-by-step guide)

A delayed or cancelled train can ruin your travel plans — but under EU rail passenger rights, it may also entitle you to real money back. This step-by-step guide walks you through exactly how to claim compensation from European railway operators.

Step 1: Check if you qualify

You can claim compensation if all of the following apply:

• Your journey falls under EU Regulation 1371/2007 (most international and long-distance EU trains)
• You arrived at your final destination with a delay of 60 minutes or more
• You did not opt for a full ticket refund instead of travelling
• The delay was not caused by extraordinary circumstances (extreme weather, etc.)

Quick eligibility check

Situation	Can you claim?
Train arrived 75 minutes late at destination	Yes — 25% of ticket price
Train arrived 2.5 hours late	Yes — 50% of ticket price
Train cancelled, rerouted, arrived 90 min late	Yes — 25% of ticket price
Chose full refund and did not travel	No compensation (you got a refund)
Delay was 45 minutes	No — below 60-minute threshold

Step 2: Gather your documents

Before filing, collect:

1. Ticket or booking confirmation — must show your name, journey, date and price
2. Booking reference / PNR — the code from your confirmation email
3. Proof of delay (helpful but not always required):
   • Screenshots from the operator’s app (DB Navigator, SNCF Connect, Trenitalia, etc.)
   • Photos of station departure boards
   • Delay certificates from station staff

Keep originals or digital copies of everything. You will need to upload these when filing your claim.

Step 3: Calculate your expected compensation

Compensation is based on the ticket price for the disrupted journey (or the relevant leg):

• 60–119 minutes late → 25% of ticket price
• 120+ minutes late → 50% of ticket price

Example: Your TGV ticket from Paris to Lyon cost €85. The train arrived 2 hours late. Your compensation: €42.50 (50%).

For return tickets, only the affected leg counts. For multi-leg through-tickets, the price of the affected section applies.

Step 4: Submit your claim

You have three options:

Option A: Directly with the operator

Most operators have online complaint forms:

• Deutsche Bahn — via DB Navigator or bahn.de customer service
• SNCF — via SNCF Connect or SNCF reclamation form
• Renfe — via Renfe.com atención al cliente
• Trenitalia — via Trenitalia “Reclami” section

You can also use the EU standard complaint form (available in all EU languages).

Option B: Via TrainRefund (recommended)

For international journeys, operator forms can be confusing — especially when multiple countries are involved. File your claim via TrainRefund:

• Upload your ticket and journey details in minutes
• We handle communication with the operator
• No win, no fee — you only pay if we succeed

Option C: Escalate to a national authority

If the operator rejects your claim or does not respond within 1 month, complain to the national enforcement body in the country that licensed the operator.

Step 5: Follow up

• Operators must respond within 1 month (up to 3 in complex cases)
• Compensation must be paid within 1 month of your accepted claim
• If rejected, check the reason — many rejections incorrectly cite “extraordinary circumstances”

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Claiming too late — submit within 3 months of the incident
2. Claiming for the wrong delay — it’s arrival delay at your final destination, not departure delay
3. Missing the through-ticket rule — if you bought separate tickets, each leg is assessed independently
4. Not documenting the delay — always screenshot app notifications and station boards

Operator-specific tips

• Deutsche Bahn ICE international: Delays on cross-border ICE routes (e.g. Frankfurt–Paris) are fully covered
• SNCF TGV: Request a “attestation de retard” at any SNCF station
• Renfe AVE: International Barcelona–France services fall under EU rules for the cross-border segment
• Eurostar: EU-to-EU routes (e.g. Paris–Brussels–Amsterdam) are covered; London segments have separate rules

Ready to claim?

Don’t leave money on the table. If your European train was 60+ minutes late, start your claim now — it takes just a few minutes.