UK261 vs EU261: which rules apply to your flight?
Two nearly identical laws protect air passengers: UK261 in the UK and EU261 in the EU. Here is how they compare.
Which law applies to your flight?
- UK261 (UK law) covers flights departing a UK airport on any airline, flights arriving in the UK on an EU or UK airline, and flights arriving in the EU on a UK airline.
- EU261 covers flights within the EU on any airline, flights departing the EU on any airline, and flights arriving in the EU on an EU airline (also Iceland, Norway and Switzerland).
Details of the scope are on the CAA's page and Your Europe. The two regimes use the same three distance bands, with amounts in pounds or euros.
How much can you claim?
Under UK261, the Civil Aviation Authority sets compensation by flight distance for a delay of more than 3 hours at arrival:
| Distance | UK261 | EU261 |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | £220 | €250 |
| 1,500 to 3,500 km | £350 | €400 |
| Over 3,500 km | £260 if 3 to 4 hours late, £520 if more than 4 hours late | €300 if 3 to under 4 hours late, €600 at 4 hours or more |
Sources: UK CAA: delays and Your Europe: air passenger rights. Checked 15 October 2026. The EU page states its €300 band for delays of 3 to under 4 hours on flights over 3,500 km operated from the EU or by an EU airline; the airline may reduce a re-routed passenger's compensation by 50% in some cases.
What is the same
- Both use the same three distance bands and compensation applies for arrival more than 3 hours late.
- Both exclude extraordinary circumstances that the airline could not avoid.
- Both require the airline to provide care such as food and drink and, when needed, a hotel.
What differs
- Currency. UK261 pays in pounds (£220, £350, £260/£520) and EU261 in euros (€250, €400, €300/€600).
- Where to complain. UK passengers use UK ADR schemes approved by the CAA. For EU261 the EU says to complain to the airline first and, if there is no reply within 2 months, to the national enforcement body.
- Time limits. UK courts: 6 years in England and Wales, 5 in Scotland. EU time limits follow each country's national rules.
The EU is revising its rules
The European Union has been revising Regulation 261/2004 during 2026. The amounts and the 3-hour threshold on this page are the rules that apply today on the official Your Europe page (last checked by that page on 21 September 2026). UK261 is a separate UK law, and we have found nothing saying the EU revision changes it. Check the European Parliament and Council announcements for the date any new EU rules start to apply.
Frequently asked questions
Is UK261 the same as EU261?
They are very similar: the same distance bands and the 3-hour rule, but UK261 pays in pounds and is part of UK law, while EU261 pays in euros.
Which law applies to a flight from the UK to Spain?
A flight departing a UK airport is covered by UK261 on any airline, according to the CAA. EU261 can also apply to flights departing the EU or arriving in the EU on an EU airline.
Which should I claim under?
Claim under the rule that covers your flight and tell the airline the flight details. If you are unsure, ask the airline which regulation it applies.
Has the 3-hour threshold changed?
Not under the rules published on the official pages we checked. The EU is revising its regulation, so check for announcements before relying on this page after the new rules start to apply.
Guidance last checked 15 October 2026. Independent and not affiliated with the CAA, the European Commission or any airline.