Lost baggage compensation: your rights under the Montreal Convention
When your bag doesn't arrive at the carousel, panic kicks in. Good news: the Montreal Convention (binding in over 130 countries including all EU states) gives you concrete financial protection — up to 1,288 SDR per passenger (around €1,500-1,700).
The 3 baggage situations covered
| Situation | Definition | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Delayed | Bag missing at arrival, recovered later | Reimbursement of essential purchases + delay compensation |
| Lost | Bag not recovered after 21 days | Up to 1,288 SDR per passenger |
| Damaged | Bag arrived broken/cut/spoilt | Up to 1,288 SDR per passenger |
Step 1: declare AT the airport (mandatory)
Before leaving the baggage claim area, file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) at the airline desk. This is the most important document — without it, no claim is possible.
- Describe the bag (brand, colour, size, distinctive marks)
- List approximate contents
- Provide your contact details and final destination address
- Note down the PIR reference number
- Photograph the document before leaving
Step 2: essential purchases during the wait (delayed baggage)
The airline must reimburse "reasonable" essential purchases while your bag is missing: clothing, toiletries, basic electronics if needed for business. Keep all receipts.
Rule of thumb: €50-100 per day for the first 5 days is generally accepted. Save receipts and submit them with your claim. Air France, KLM, Lufthansa typically reimburse without dispute within reasonable limits.
Step 3: after 21 days, the bag is declared lost
If the airline hasn't recovered your bag after 21 days, it is officially declared lost. You can then claim the full Montreal Convention compensation:
- 1,288 SDR per passenger (Special Drawing Rights — IMF-based currency unit, ~€1.20 per SDR in 2026)
- Covers the bag itself + contents
- Per passenger, not per bag (so a family of 4 with 4 lost bags = 4 × 1,288 SDR)
How to maximise your compensation
- Photograph the bag and its contents before checking it in. A simple phone photo is proof.
- Keep receipts for valuables (laptop, camera, clothes) — even old ones. Bank statements or e-commerce order history work as well.
- List contents in detail in the claim form. Vague lists ("clothes, accessories") get reduced compensation. Itemised lists get the full amount.
- Submit within 21 days of bag recovery (or declaration of loss). Beyond that, the airline can refuse.
- Don't accept the first offer. Airlines typically offer 30-40% of the maximum to "settle quickly". Counter-offer based on documented value.
Damaged baggage: same legal basis
If your bag arrives broken, cut, soaked, or with damaged contents:
- File a PIR at the airport before leaving, or within 7 days of receipt
- Photograph all damage
- Estimate repair or replacement cost
- Submit a claim within 7 days (for damage) — be quick
High-value items: declare or insure
The 1,288 SDR cap applies regardless of the actual value of your contents. If you're travelling with valuable items (professional camera, laptop, jewellery, watches), two options:
- Special declaration at check-in: declare and pay a supplement to raise the cap. Rarely offered by airlines today.
- Separate travel insurance (recommended): covers items beyond the Montreal cap.
Cumulative claims: flight + baggage
EC 261 compensation (delayed/cancelled flight) and Montreal Convention compensation (baggage) are independent. If your Paris-Dakar flight was delayed 5h AND your bag arrived 3 days late:
- EC 261: €600 (flight >3 500 km, delay >3h)
- Montreal: €500-700 for delayed baggage purchases
- Total: ~€1,100-1,300 per passenger
How Robin des Airs helps
We handle both bases simultaneously — flight delay AND baggage. End-to-end claim including litigation if needed. 25% commission only on success.
Related: Cancelled flight: up to €600, Airline refuses your claim: what to do.