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What compensation do EU rules give for a delayed train?

The EU minimum for train delays.

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Short answer

EU Regulation 2021/782 on rail passenger rights gives you 25 % of the ticket price when you arrive 1 to 2 hours late and 50 % when you arrive 2 hours or more late. The railway company must pay within 1 month of your request. There is no compensation if you knew of the delay before buying the ticket or if the cause was an extraordinary circumstance such as extreme weather. Your rights to a refund, rerouting and help still apply in those cases.

Transport and mobility

Why

  1. The EU rules set a minimum that applies across borders inside the EU.
  2. Extraordinary circumstances include extreme weather, people on the tracks and cable theft.
  3. If you choose a refund of the ticket, you cannot also get delay compensation.

Details

On domestic DSB trips the DSB Basis Rejsetidsgaranti already pays from 30 minutes, which is more than the EU minimum.

Tip

On an international DSB ticket, apply with the DSB Udland Rejsetidsgaranti form, which pays up to 25 % from 60 minutes and up to 50 % from 120 minutes.

What may differ

EU countries may exempt some domestic urban, suburban and regional services from parts of the rules, but not cross-border trips between EU countries.

Common misconception

Bad weather is never a reason to refuse train delay compensation.

What actually happens

Extreme weather counts as an extraordinary circumstance, so the EU delay compensation can be refused, while refund and help still apply.

People also ask

  • Do EU passenger rights apply to trains in Denmark?
  • How long does a railway company have to pay compensation?
  • What counts as extraordinary circumstances for trains?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Timetables, routes and fares change, so check the operator before you travel.

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