EU261 Rights Independent

Current position

Your rights have not changed. The June 2026 reform keeps the three-hour threshold and the €250–€600 amounts. It is not yet in force. What was agreed →

Checked 27 Jul 2026

EU261 · enforcement

Claiming against an airline in Netherlands

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

Dutch civil code, as applied to EU261 claims

Enforcement body

Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport (ILT)

Official site →

Court route

Kantonrechter

Used only after the airline and the regulator.

Dutch courts have produced several claimant-favourable rulings on connecting flights. Note the short two-year window.

The order to do it in

  1. Write to the airline, quoting Article 7 and the flight. Free.
  2. Wait 28 days.
  3. Complain to Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport (ILT) if refused. Still free.
  4. Kantonrechter if that fails.
  5. A claims service only once the free routes are exhausted.

Questions

How long do I have to claim flight compensation in Netherlands?

2 years. Dutch civil code, as applied to EU261 claims.

Who enforces air passenger rights in Netherlands?

Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport (ILT). Complaining to them is free and does not stop you going to court afterwards.

Which court hears flight compensation claims in Netherlands?

Kantonrechter.