Up until now, if your flight in Europe was delayed by more than three hours, you were likely entitled to compensation under EU261. That’s what the rule guaranteed for years. It helped millions of travelers get back money when airlines caused serious disruptions, sometimes up to €600 per person.
But that rule is about to change. In June 2025, the Council of the EU approved a draft version of amendments on the existing law. If the proposed amendments are legislated/approved by EU Parliament, the delay window is longer now—four hours for short flights, six for long ones, with the payout rules shifting too. Instead of solving the issues passengers faced, like slow responses and vague rules, this update could actually make it harder to claim anything at all.
In this blog, we’ll explain what’s different, what you might lose, and how you can still stand up for your rights when your flight doesn’t go as planned.
When your flight was cancelled or delayed by more than three hours, EU261 gave you a clear path to compensation. It’s been the backbone of passenger rights in Europe since 2004. Airlines had to pay up if they caused long delays, cancellations or denied boarding.
The rules were simple. And it worked—until it got complicated.
But with growing awareness came growing problems. Airlines began pushing back against claims. Some refused to pay. Others stalled the process for months. By 2013, the EU had drafted a plan to clean up the confusion, but it stalled. That proposal sat for a decade. Then, in 2023, things changed. Airlines were louder. The courts were overwhelmed. So, in 2025, the Council of EU passed a new revision. While this EU passenger rights revision was meant to bring clarity, many believe it may do more harm than good for passengers.
With the new EU261 update, the rules on when and how passengers are compensated are changing, many in ways that deserve closer attention.
Delay Compensation is shifting
First, the time required to claim for a delay is going up. For short-haul flights, it is now four hours instead of three. Long-haul passengers will only qualify after six hours of waiting. In return, the compensation shifts slightly to three hundred euros for short flights and five hundred euros for long ones.
Tarmac delays have new limits.
Second, there are clearer rights around tarmac delays. If you are left waiting on the plane for more than three hours, airlines must let you disembark. And if they do not cover basic needs during disruption, you can handle those yourself and claim the cost.
New rerouting rules apply.
Third, if your flight is cancelled, the airline must offer a new route. If they do not offer one quickly within three hours, you can take control and book your own. You can claim back the cost later, even up to four times your original ticket price.
Finally, the law tightens up how airlines handle claims. They now have two weeks to respond or pay. The EU passenger rights revision also requires simple online forms for claims and blocks airlines from charging for basic hand luggage.
| Current vs. Proposed vs. MEP-Advocated Compensation Thresholds | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight Distance Type | Current Regulation (EU261) | Council Proposal (2025) | Consumer/MEP Proposal |
| Short-haul (<1,500 km) | €250 for 3+ hour delay | €300 for 4+ hour delay | €300 for 3+ hour delay (retain 3h threshold) |
| Medium-haul (1,500–3,500 km) | €400 for 3+ hour delay | €400 for 5+ hour delay | €400 for 3+ hour delay |
| Long-haul (>3,500 km) | €600 for 3+ hour delay | €500 for 6+ hour delay | €600 for 3+ hour delay |
| Rerouting Reimbursement | Only airline-controlled | Allowed after 3 hours | Full cost, no cap |
| Tarmac Delay Disembarkation | Not clearly defined | Required after 3 hours | Retain proposal |
| Deadline for Airline Response | Varies by airline | 14 days | Support 14-day limit |
| Claim Eligibility | Often unclear, poor enforcement | 6-month window | Add clear minimum standards + mandatory enforcement |
Consumer groups across Europe are raising serious concerns about what the EU261 update means for travelers. While it aims to simplify the process, many say it quietly rolls back years of progress.
Longer delay times mean fewer payouts
If your short-haul flight is delayed by three and a half hours, you are no longer covered. BEUC calls this a major loss for passengers, removing protection for most delays that happen today.
You could end up with less compensation overall
The revised law lowers the payout for long-haul disruptions and ties compensation to whether or not you accept a refund. That means fewer options for travelers who just want to move on and get paid fairly.
The balance shifts away from passengers
Airlines say they need these changes to avoid unnecessary cancellations. Consumer advocates say it is just making the rules harder to follow and easier to challenge.
Compensation is still hard to access
The EU passenger rights revision does little to fix enforcement. Only a small share of passengers who qualify get paid. Many end up using third-party legal services to get what they are already owed.
Passengers may not realize it yet, but the new EU261 rules will change what they can expect when travel plans fall apart. Here are a few everyday examples showing what is at risk.
The three-hour delay used to mean a payout. Not anymore
If your short flight arrives three hours and twenty minutes late, you no longer qualify. That delay, which used to trigger compensation, now gets ignored unless it stretches beyond four hours.
International travelers will face tougher conditions
Flying long distances? A delay under six hours gets no payout at all. And if it does, the payment is lower than before. That extra wait time now comes with less reward.
Booking your own reroute might backfire
You are allowed to act if the airline fails to help. But with a cap on reimbursement, the money you get back might not match what you had to spend to catch your next flight.
Enforcement gaps are still there
Even with new deadlines, airlines often delay payments. When passengers escalate or file disputes, the process becomes even slower and more frustrating.
Tarmac rules may not work in practice
Sure, the law says you should be let off the plane after three hours. But unless there is proper oversight, many passengers may still find themselves stuck without clear updates or action.
The EU passenger rights revision is moving into its next phase. After passing through the Council in May and June, it now heads to the European Parliament’s TRAN committee. Several MEPs are already fighting to bring back the original three-hour delay threshold and to clearly define which airline issues count as extraordinary and which do not.
The law is not locked in yet. Over the next four months, Parliament can propose changes. The final version may still shift based on public response and political pressure.
For travelers, this is the moment to pay attention. Updates from BEUC, national enforcement bodies, and compensation experts like Click2Refund will help you understand what is changing and how to prepare for it. If you care about your rights, this is the time to stay involved.
When the rules change, passengers are often left in the dark. That is why Click2Refund exists. We understand the latest EU261 update and what it means for your ability to claim.
You do not need to argue with an airline that is dragging its feet. Tell us what happened. We take it from there.
✔ Clear Answers and Real Support
People often mention how easy it was to get help. Updates were shared regularly, and questions were answered clearly, without needing to follow up or push for replies.
✔ Strong Results on Difficult Cases
Some users came to us after trying other services that gave up on their claim. With Click2Refund, those same cases ended in successful payouts.
✔ No Upfront Payments or Hidden Charges
You only pay if you win. Our fee is fixed and agreed from the start. There are no surprise deductions or added charges once your compensation comes through.
✔ Quick and Easy to File a Claim
Passengers say they were impressed with how little time it took to submit their details. No long forms or confusing steps. Just a few clicks and we take it from there.
Want to know how much an airline owes you? Check our free “Flight Delay Compensation Calculator” No obligation. Results in just two minutes.
Yes, but the delay thresholds have not changed yet. If your flight is delayed more than 3 hours, you are still entitled to compensation for now.
If the new amendments are approved, for short-haul flights, you need to be delayed at least four hours to qualify. For long-haul flights, the delay must be six hours or more. If your delay falls below these new limits, compensation will no longer apply.
Under the revised/proposed EU261 law, if an airline fails to offer you a rerouting option within three hours of a cancellation, you can book an alternative flight yourself. You’re entitled to be reimbursed for the cost, up to four times the price of your original ticket.
If the proposed amendments are approved, airlines will be required to respond to claims within 14 days. However, actual processing times can vary, especially if the airline delays or disputes the case. On average, passengers receive their compensation within four to six weeks. A flight compensation company handles all communication and escalation, so they don't have to chase the airline or deal with legal terms.