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🧳 Luggage: loss, damage, delay

Damaged suitcase or delayed luggage on international flights: liability limits under the Montreal Convention.

luggage suitcase Montreal Convention special drawing rights PIR damage report delayed luggage hand luggage

In brief

On international flights, the airline is liable for luggage under the Montreal Convention.

  • For loss, damage and delay of checked luggage, a maximum of 1,519 special drawing rights per passenger has applied since 28 December 2024 (Art. 22 (2)).
  • Report missing or damaged luggage at the airport.
  • For delay damage in the carriage of passengers (not luggage), up to 6,303 special drawing rights per passenger apply (Art. 22 (1)).

Keep receipts for replacement purchases. Write to the airline in writing and quickly.

Step by step

  1. Report on the spotReport the damage at the airport at the airline's counter or the ground handling service.
  2. Collect receiptsPhotos, baggage tag, purchase receipts for replacement items, list of contents.
  3. Notify in writingAlso notify the damage in writing; observe the deadline.
  4. ArbitrationIf rejected: Schlichtung Reise & Verkehr.

Deadlines

7 days
Written notice of damage after receiving the luggageMontreal Convention Art. 31 (2)
21 days
Written notice of delay, counted from the date the luggage was made availableMontreal Convention Art. 31 (2)
2 years
Deadline for bringing an action (preclusive deadline)Montreal Convention Art. 35
1,519 SDR
Maximum liability per passenger for loss, damage and delay of checked luggageMontreal Convention Art. 22 (2), from 28 December 2024
6,303 SDR
Maximum liability per passenger for delay damage in the carriage of passengers (not luggage)Montreal Convention Art. 22 (1), from 28 December 2024
Watch out – common mistakes
  • Deadline for bringing an action 2 years (preclusive deadline, Art. 35); notice deadlines 7 days for damage, 21 days for delay (Art. 31 (2)), in each case in writing.
  • The Convention applies if the departure and destination airports are in two contracting states.
  • Valuables should stay in your hand luggage.
  • The exchange rate from SDR to euros fluctuates; this page gives no euro amounts.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Liability limits

According to the Schlichtung Reise & Verkehr, the following have applied since 28 December 2024: delay damage in the carriage of passengers up to 6,303 special drawing rights per passenger (Art. 22 (1)); loss, damage and delay of checked luggage up to 1,519 SDR (Art. 22 (2)); in case of death or bodily injury, airlines are in principle liable up to 151,880 SDR without proof of fault. The Convention applies to international flights between two contracting states.

Deadlines

Under Art. 31 (2) of the Convention, damage must be notified in writing within 7 days, and delay within 21 days, of the luggage being made available. Actions must be brought within 2 years (Art. 35, preclusive deadline). Draw up the notice immediately for this reason.

Scope

Luggage on package holidays: claims may also exist against the tour operator (page on package holidays). Travel luggage insurance: the Verbraucherzentrale tends to advise against it because of high premiums and low benefits.

Who is responsible
  • Airline
  • Schlichtung Reise & Verkehr e.V.
  • Tour operator (for package holidays)
Further reading
Flight: delay, cancellation, denied boardingTravel insurance and illness abroadPackage holiday: withdrawal, defects, insolvency protection

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Luggage: loss, damage, delay“?
Damaged suitcase or delayed luggage on international flights: liability limits under the Montreal Convention.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
  • 7 days: Written notice of damage after receiving the luggage (Montreal Convention Art. 31 (2))
  • 21 days: Written notice of delay, counted from the date the luggage was made available (Montreal Convention Art. 31 (2))
  • 2 years: Deadline for bringing an action (preclusive deadline) (Montreal Convention Art. 35)
  • 1,519 SDR: Maximum liability per passenger for loss, damage and delay of checked luggage (Montreal Convention Art. 22 (2), from 28 December 2024)
  • 6,303 SDR: Maximum liability per passenger for delay damage in the carriage of passengers (not luggage) (Montreal Convention Art. 22 (1), from 28 December 2024)
What should I do first?
  • Report on the spot: Report the damage at the airport at the airline's counter or the ground handling service.
  • Collect receipts: Photos, baggage tag, purchase receipts for replacement items, list of contents.
  • Notify in writing: Also notify the damage in writing; observe the deadline.
What do I need to watch out for?
  • Deadline for bringing an action 2 years (preclusive deadline, Art. 35); notice deadlines 7 days for damage, 21 days for delay (Art. 31 (2)), in each case in writing.
  • The Convention applies if the departure and destination airports are in two contracting states.
  • Valuables should stay in your hand luggage.
Evidence
  • Schlichtung Reise & Verkehr, Das Montrealer Übereinkommen im Kurzüberblick, retrieved 21 September 2026
  • Luftfahrt-Bundesamt, Haftung für Personen-, Gepäck-, Güter- oder Verspätungs-Schäden (search result), retrieved 21 September 2026
  • Verbraucherzentrale, Auslandsreisen: welcher Versicherungsschutz ist notwendig, retrieved 21 September 2026
As of

September 2026 · Sources and method

A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.