Lost Luggage 2026: Your Rights & Compensation

You’re standing at the baggage carousel. Every bag comes out. Except yours. The belt keeps turning. One more round. The belt stops. No suitcase.

It happens more often than people think. European airports lose and delay millions of bags every year. The difference between chaos and control: knowing exactly what to do.

What do you need to do immediately at the airport?

Don’t leave the baggage area without these two steps.

Step 1: File a PIR form. The Property Irregularity Report is the official damage report. You get it at the airline’s baggage service desk, still at the airport. You describe your bag (colour, brand, size, rough contents), the flight date and your contact details. Without a PIR form there is no compensation. This is non-negotiable.

Step 2: Note down your reference number. You’ll receive a reference or case number. Use it to track your bag status online. Most airlines have a baggage tracking portal.

After that: buy what you urgently need. Toothbrush, a change of clothes, the basics. Keep every receipt. These costs are reimbursable if the bag is lost or missing for more than 48 hours.

The International Air Transport Association publishes industry standards for baggage handling and rights.

What happens during the 21 days after filing a loss report?

The airline has 21 days to locate your bag. That’s the statutory period under the Montreal Convention.

In most cases, the bag turns up within 2 to 5 days. It was usually loaded onto the wrong flight or stuck in a different hub. It gets delivered to your hotel or home address.

If you’re already home and it arrives: good. If you’re still travelling and it catches up: you still have a claim for emergency purchases during the time without your bag.

After 21 days, the bag is officially declared permanently lost. The compensation process begins.

How much compensation do you get for lost luggage?

The Montreal Convention caps compensation at 1,288 SDR. SDR stands for Special Drawing Rights (an IMF currency basket). The value fluctuates but currently equals around €1,700.

That’s the ceiling. What you actually receive depends on the proven value of the contents.

Key point: the burden of proof is on you. You need to document the contents and their value. That means:

A list of all items in the bag with estimated current value (not retail price)
Purchase receipts where available (realistic for expensive electronics or branded items)
Photos of the bag and its contents (ideally taken before every flight)

For an averagely packed holiday suitcase with clothing, €400 to €600 is realistic if there were no expensive individual items.

For extra protection, see the travel insurance guide.

How do you protect yourself against luggage loss?

Prevention is better than compensation.

AirTag or GPS tracker inside the bag. You see in real time where your luggage is. If it ends up on the wrong flight, you know before you’re standing at an empty carousel.

Never in checked luggage: medication, valuables, electronics, documents. This sounds obvious, but many people still do it. Carry-on bags can’t be lost.

Distinctive bag: A striking sticker or unusual colour helps. Identical black trolleys sometimes get taken by other passengers.

Travel insurance or credit card cover: Many premium credit cards (American Express Gold, Visa Infinite and others) include baggage protection as a free benefit. Check your card before buying a separate policy. More on this in the carry-on packing guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to receive luggage compensation?

After the 21-day search period ends, you typically have 2 years from the flight date to file a claim. Airlines then have 30 to 60 days to process it. Cases requiring proof of value take longer. Submit everything completely to speed things up.

What if the airline refuses to pay compensation?

In the UK contact the Civil Aviation Authority. In the EU contact your National Enforcement Body or a national mediation service. Small claims court is often the fastest route for clear-cut cases. Many airlines settle rather than defend a court claim.

Are emergency purchases really reimbursed?

Yes, if your bag is missing for more than 48 hours or is permanently lost. Reasonable amounts: toothbrush, toiletries, a couple of changes of clothing. No designer items, no luxury goods. Keep receipts. Submit directly to the airline with reference to your PIR form.

Which insurance covers lost luggage?

Travel baggage insurance covers loss, theft and damage. Standard travel health insurance usually doesn’t. Credit card travel protection (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) varies by card. Check your home contents insurance before the trip: some policies cover luggage loss while travelling.

Lost Luggage: What to Do Immediately and How Much Compensation