Compensation

As per 03 December 2009 the Passenger Rights and Regulations (PRR) come into force. This means that in several cases the European Railway Companies need to offer assistance or need to offer compensation. The PRR is focussed on point to point tickets and the contract which is applicable on this transportation. For Eurail and InterRail Passes the situation is complex. As a point to point ticket (e.g. Paris – Berlin) clearly shows the contract (partners) this is not the case when travelling the same route with a Pass. As the pass holder is free to choose when and where to travel and the ticket price is not directly related. However within the PRR there is an obligation to offer compensation for Rail passes too. This compensation is always a financial compensation and applicable on delays encountered within European Union (EU) member countries only. 

The participating Railway Companies in Eurail and InterRail Pass have defined the terms and conditions (additional to the General Conditions of Carriage (GCC), the Conditions of Use Eurail Pass and the Conditions of Use InterRail Pass) under which compensation is possible

Compensation only in case of delays

In case of 3 (three) or more delays over 60 minutes each (in EU-member states) the traveller can apply for compensation. These delays may be spread over the period of validity of your pass.

The applicable Passes

Eurail Passes InterRail Passes
 Eurail Global Pass  InterRail Global Pass
 Eurail Select Pass (3-, 4 or 5 countries)
 Eurail Regional Pass


Request for Eurail and InterRail One Country Passes can be sent to Eurail Group GIE but are forwarded to the respective Railway. In some cases non European Union Members will not pay any compensation.

Compensation always financial

The bottom level is € 16 (sixteen Euro) which means that compensations under this € 16 level will not be paid.

Validity date

The first date of validity must include 03 December 2009 or later.

Download the application form

Eurail Group GIE will carry out the calculation and handle the compensation request. In order to apply you must use the form compensation request.pdf which can be downloaded here. To read and print this pdf-file you need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If needed it can be downloaded at ADOBE.

Standard Procedure

  • In order to apply you need to send your compensation request within a period of 6 months after the last day of validity of your pass, requests after this period will not be handled.
  • You need to use the form compensation request.pdf.
  • Your pass cover (section Travel Report) must be attached.
  • A copy of the original ticket.
  • Your Bank account details must be filled in.

Direct links to the documents