---
title: "What is EU passenger rights regulation? | Benefit Systems"
description: "The EU passenger rights regulation is the European law governing claims for cancellation, long delay and denied boarding, regardless of ticket price."
source: "aus dem gebauten HTML abgeleitet"
---
# What is EU passenger rights regulation?

The EU passenger rights regulation is the European law governing claims for cancellation, long delay and denied boarding, regardless of ticket price.

Also called: EU 261, Regulation 261/2004.

## How it works #

It covers flights departing from the EU, and flights into the EU when operated by an EU airline. The regulation separates three entitlements that exist side by side: care during the wait, a refund or re-routing, and a flat compensation payment. Claims lie against the operating airline rather than the booking site.

## Not to be confused with #

The EU passenger rights regulation is not the same as travel insurance: it creates statutory claims against the airline and requires no contract with an insurer.

## In German #

The German term is Fluggastrechteverordnung. [German version of this term](/de/glossar/fluggastrechteverordnung)

## Related terms #

- [Flight compensation](/en/glossary/flight-compensation): Flight compensation is a flat statutory payment owed by the airline for cancellation, long delay or denied boarding, scaled by flight distance.
- [Extraordinary circumstances](/en/glossary/extraordinary-circumstances): Extraordinary circumstances are events outside an airline’s control that remove the entitlement to statutory compensation.
- [Duty of care](/en/glossary/duty-of-care): Duty of care covers meals, means of communication and, where needed, accommodation and transfers that an airline owes during a wait.

## Articles that use this term #

- [What do US airlines owe you when your flight is cancelled?](/en/knowledge/us-cancellation-rights)
- [How much are you owed for a delayed flight?](/en/knowledge/us-delay-compensation)
- [What do you do first when your flight is cancelled?](/en/knowledge/flight-cancelled-what-to-do)