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FAQ · EU261

EU261 for flights to and from Israel

Updated:

Many flights to and from Israel go through Europe or are operated by European airlines. In those cases the EU regulation may apply as well as Israeli law. Here's how to tell.

In short

  • A flight departing from an EU airport to Israel: the regulation applies, on any airline.
  • A flight from Israel to the EU: the regulation applies only if the operating airline is registered in the EU.
  • Under the regulation, arriving at the final destination 3 hours or more late, or a cancellation at short notice, gives EUR 250, 400 or 600 per passenger by distance, unless there were extraordinary circumstances.
  • Israeli law applies to every flight departing from or landing in Israel. When both apply, you are compensated under one only.
  • US flights have no compensation law for delays or cancellations; the UK (UK261), Canada and Turkey are checked separately.
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Examples: does the regulation apply?

  • Tel Aviv → Warsaw on LOT: yes, a European airline landing in the EU. Israeli law applies too.
  • Warsaw → Tel Aviv, any airline: yes, the flight departs from the EU. Israeli law applies too.
  • Tel Aviv → Paris on El Al: no, a non-European airline landing in the EU. Israeli law applies.
  • Tel Aviv → New York: no. Israeli law applies.

Good to know

  • What counts is the airline actually operating the flight, not the one that sold the ticket (on codeshares).
  • On a single booking with a connection, the arrival time at the final destination counts.
  • On a long flight outside the EU (over 3,500 km) arriving 3 to 4 hours late, compensation may be half the amount.
  • Payment is in money; a voucher only with the passenger's signed consent.
  • An amendment signed in 2026 (Regulation 2026/2202) applies from 23.10.2027: the amounts stay, and from then claims must be filed within 9 months of the flight.

Common airline answers, and what the law says

"Technical problem"
Under CJEU case law, a fault arising from normal aircraft operation is usually not an extraordinary circumstance. Under the Israeli law too, the airline must prove it could not have prevented the cancellation. Ask what the fault was.
"Weather"
Can be a valid reason, but only if the weather really prevented this flight. Ask which airport and at what time.
"Strike"
The Israeli law exempts a protected strike. In the EU, a strike by the airline's own staff is usually not an extraordinary circumstance (CJEU C-28/20).
"We gave you a voucher"
Under the Israeli law compensation is paid in money; a voucher only with explicit written consent. The EU regulation also requires the passenger's signed agreement for a voucher.
"We told you in advance"
Only 14 days' notice or more removes compensation entirely. With shorter notice, what matters is when the alternative flight left and landed. Keep the notice you got, with its date.

How EasyClaim helps, step by step

  1. Enter the flight number and dateIn the eligibility check on the site. If you don't remember the number, search by route and date.
  2. Get a first assessmentBased on the route, the operating airline and what happened: which law may apply and what you may be owed.
  3. Prepare a tidy requestEasyClaim drafts a personal letter with your flight details, and you can keep your documents in your account.
  4. Submit it yourselfYou send the request to the airline through its official channel and keep the confirmation. We do not contact the airline on your behalf.

Questions and answers

Does EU261 apply to a flight from Tel Aviv to Europe?

Only if the operating airline is registered in the EU, for example a European airline flying from Tel Aviv to a European city. On a non-European airline from Tel Aviv to Europe the regulation does not apply, but Israeli law does.

Does EU261 apply to a flight from Europe to Tel Aviv?

Yes. A flight departing from an EU airport is covered on any airline, including Israeli airlines.

How much does EU261 give?

EUR 250 up to 1,500 km, EUR 400 between 1,500 and 3,500 km (or an intra-EU flight over 1,500 km), and EUR 600 over 3,500 km. On a long flight arriving 3 to 4 hours late the amount may be halved.

Can I get compensation under both EU261 and Israeli law?

Not for the same event. Someone compensated under a foreign law will not get the same kind of benefit under Israeli law. The check on the site shows which law fits your flight.

What about Switzerland, Norway and Iceland?

These countries apply Regulation 261 too, so a flight departing from them is checked like one from the EU. The UK applies its own rules (UK261).

What does EasyClaim cost?

The service is at no cost, with no commission and no commitment. You submit the request yourself through the airline's official channel.

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A flight number and date are enough for a first assessment, at no cost.

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General information, not legal advice. Eligibility depends on the facts of the case and the applicable law. EasyClaim is not a law firm and does not represent passengers.