EU261 · enforcement
Claiming against an airline in Italy
The compensation rules are identical across the EU — that is the point of a Regulation. What changes at the border is the deadline, the regulator and the court.
Time limit
2 years (some sources cite 26 months)
Sources diverge: several specialist services report 2 years, one reports 26 months. Verify against Italian counsel for a borderline claim.
Court route
Giudice di pace
Used only after the airline and the regulator.
Shorter than most travellers assume, and the exact figure is disputed — treat a claim as urgent if it is approaching two years old.
The order to do it in
- Write to the airline, quoting Article 7 and the flight. Free.
- Wait 28 days.
- Complain to ENAC — Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile if refused. Still free.
- Giudice di pace if that fails.
- A claims service only once the free routes are exhausted.
Questions
How long do I have to claim flight compensation in Italy?
2 years (some sources cite 26 months). Sources diverge: several specialist services report 2 years, one reports 26 months. Verify against Italian counsel for a borderline claim..
Who enforces air passenger rights in Italy?
ENAC — Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile. Complaining to them is free and does not stop you going to court afterwards.
Which court hears flight compensation claims in Italy?
Giudice di pace.