Lost, Delayed or Damaged Baggage: Your Full Rights and How to Claim
Luggage problems affect millions of passengers every year. Unlike flight delay compensation, baggage claims fall under the Montreal Convention — an international treaty that entitles you to claim up to approximately €1,500 for lost, delayed or damaged bags. Here is exactly what to do and how to claim it.
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Critical deadlines ↓
The Three Types of Baggage Problems
Lost baggage
Bag not delivered and declared officially lost — typically after 21 days. Full replacement value up to the liability limit.
Delayed baggage
Bag arrives late. Claim for emergency purchases made while waiting. Compensation for proven losses.
Damaged baggage
Bag or contents physically damaged during handling. Claim for repair or replacement cost.
Key distinction: Baggage compensation is entirely separate from EU261 flight compensation. You can claim both simultaneously if your flight was also disrupted.
The Montreal Convention — The Law That Protects You
The Montreal Convention (1999) is an international aviation treaty ratified by 137 countries including all EU member states, the UK, the US, and all Western Balkans ECAA nations. Under the Convention, airlines are presumed liable for baggage loss, damage or delay unless they can prove the damage was caused by the nature of the baggage or fault of the passenger.
What it covers
- Checked baggage that is lost, damaged or delayed in transit
- Contents of checked baggage that are lost or damaged
- Emergency purchases made necessary by delayed baggage delivery
What it does not cover
- Damage to fragile items that were inadequately packaged
- Normal wear and tear or minor scratches
- Hand baggage or items you were carrying personally
- Electronics, jewellery, cash and other valuables in checked luggage
Pack smartly: Airlines routinely deny claims for electronics, jewellery and cash in checked luggage — these are explicitly excluded. Always carry valuables in your hand baggage.
How Much Can You Claim?
The Montreal Convention sets a maximum liability of 1,288 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) per passenger — approximately €1,400–€1,600 at current rates. This is a ceiling, not a fixed payment. Your actual claim depends on what you can prove you lost.
Travel insurance tip: Your travel insurance may cover baggage losses above the Montreal Convention limit and with fewer restrictions. Pursue both simultaneously — just avoid double compensation for the same items.
Critical Filing Deadlines — Do Not Miss These
| Situation | What to do | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Damaged baggage | File PIR at airport AND submit written claim to airline | PIR: before leaving airport. Written claim: within 7 days |
| Delayed baggage | File PIR at airport, then submit written claim when bag arrives | Written claim: within 21 days of receiving bag |
| Lost baggage | File PIR immediately. After 21 days submit claim. | Within 2 years of scheduled arrival |
Most claims are lost at this stage. Passengers who leave the airport without filing a PIR, or who miss the 7-day deadline for damaged bags, typically lose their right to compensation entirely.
What to Do at the Airport
Do not leave the baggage hall until you have filed a PIR
Go to the airline’s baggage services desk and file a Property Irregularity Report before passing through customs. Keep the PIR reference number.
Photograph everything immediately
If your bag is damaged, photograph it at the airport before you leave. For delayed bags, photograph the empty baggage carousel. This creates timestamped evidence.
Keep all receipts for emergency purchases
If your bag is delayed, you are entitled to claim for essential purchases — toiletries, a change of clothes, medication. Keep every receipt.
Track your bag using the PIR reference
Airlines use the WorldTracer system. Use your PIR reference to track progress online. Follow up every 24–48 hours.
Submit written claim within the deadlines
Send a formal written claim referencing the Montreal Convention, your PIR number, flight details, and a list of lost or damaged items with estimated values.
Documentation Checklist
Keep all of these for a successful claim
Dealing with lost or damaged baggage?
Check whether you also have an EU261 flight claim — many disrupted journeys qualify for both.
Baggage Claims on Western Balkans Routes
All Western Balkans ECAA countries have adopted the Montreal Convention into national law. Passengers whose bags are lost or damaged on flights from Albania, Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina have the same legal rights as passengers in any EU member state.
Baggage mishandling rates are higher on short-haul low-cost routes with fast turnarounds — particularly from Tirana, Pristina and Sarajevo to Rome, London and Vienna during peak summer season.
Belgrade Nikola Tesla (BEG)
Pristina Airport (PRN)
Sarajevo Airport (SJJ)
Skopje Airport (SKP)
Podgorica Airport (TGD)
Frequently Asked Questions
What law covers lost or delayed baggage?
Baggage claims are covered by the Montreal Convention (1999), not EU261. It is an international treaty signed by most countries worldwide — including all EU states, Western Balkans ECAA countries, the UK and the US.
How much can I claim for lost luggage?
The Montreal Convention sets a maximum liability of 1,288 SDR per passenger — approximately €1,400–€1,600. This is a ceiling, not a fixed payment. Your actual compensation depends on what you can prove you lost.
What is the deadline to file a baggage claim?
- Damaged baggage: file PIR at airport immediately, submit written claim within 7 days
- Delayed baggage: submit written claim within 21 days of receiving your bag
- Lost baggage: within 2 years of the scheduled arrival date
What should I do the moment I realise my bag is missing?
Do not leave the baggage hall. Go to the airline’s baggage desk and file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) before you exit. Keep the reference number. Without a PIR your claim is extremely difficult to pursue.
Can I claim for baggage problems on Balkans flights?
Yes. All ECAA Western Balkans countries have adopted the Montreal Convention. The same deadlines and liability limits apply as for EU flights.