TL;DR
Eurostar passengers are covered by EU Regulation 2021/782 because the service crosses into EU territory. Passengers facing cancellation or a delay of 60 minutes or more can choose between a full refund or rebooking on the next available service. Compensation between 25% and 50% of the ticket price applies for delays of 60 minutes and 2 hours respectively, with the option to take it as cash or rail vouchers.
Last reviewed: 2 June 2026
Eurostar services are operated under EU Regulation 2021/782 on rail passenger rights, which covers the entire journey because the service crosses into EU territory. UK passengers travelling to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam or beyond therefore retain a clearer set of legal rights than is sometimes assumed, and these rights survive any disruption that happens to fall during the journey.
Key facts
- Eurostar is covered by EU Regulation 2021/782 on rail passenger rights.
- Cancellation gives a choice between full refund or free rebooking.
- Compensation of 25% applies for delays of 60 to 119 minutes.
- Compensation of 50% applies for delays of 120 minutes or more.
- Claims should be made within 12 months of the affected journey.
Refund and rebooking rights
When a Eurostar service is cancelled or when a passenger reasonably expects a delay of 60 minutes or more at the destination, EU Regulation 2021/782 gives a choice. Either a full refund of the ticket within 7 days, paid back to the original payment method, plus a free return service to the original station of departure if the journey has already started and become pointless. Or a rebooking on the next available comparable service. Or a rebooking on a later date of the passenger's choosing, subject to availability.
Compensation amounts and structure
Compensation for delays at the final destination is a percentage of the single ticket price. 25% applies for delays of 60 to 119 minutes. 50% applies for delays of 120 minutes or more. Passengers can request compensation as cash or as rail vouchers; Eurostar must offer cash where requested. Compensation is in addition to the refund or rebooking, not instead of it. Where the delay is below the 60 minute threshold, no compensation is owed under the regulation, though Eurostar may still offer service vouchers as a goodwill gesture.
Assistance during disruption
When a delay of 60 minutes or more is expected, Eurostar must offer meals and refreshments in line with the waiting time, free of charge. Hotel accommodation and transport to and from the hotel must be offered where an overnight stay becomes necessary. Where Eurostar fails to provide these in practice, passengers can pay and claim back, keeping receipts. The Office of Rail and Road is the UK regulator for international rail passenger rights and handles enforcement and escalation.
Practical claim process
Submit a claim through the Eurostar Compensation form within 12 months of the affected journey, attaching the booking reference, ticket evidence, and any receipts for assistance you paid for yourself. Eurostar must respond within 30 days. If the response is unsatisfactory, escalate to the Office of Rail and Road. Travel insurance with a journey disruption clause may cover consequential losses, such as a missed onward flight or a booked Paris hotel where the room could not be cancelled.
Important
This article explains the general rail passenger rights framework for Eurostar. Specific claims depend on the facts of the disruption and on the precise booking conditions. The Office of Rail and Road is the UK regulator and the appropriate escalation route.
Common questions
Does Brexit change Eurostar passenger rights?
No, in substance. Eurostar runs into EU territory and is covered by EU Regulation 2021/782 across the whole journey. UK passengers retain the same rights as EU passengers on the same train.
What if I miss a connecting flight because of a Eurostar delay?
Eurostar's compensation is limited to the ticket price percentages set by EU 2021/782. Consequential losses such as a missed flight are not covered by Eurostar. Travel insurance with a journey disruption clause is the appropriate cover for this risk.
Can I take compensation in cash or only in vouchers?
You can request cash. Eurostar must offer cash where requested under EU Regulation 2021/782. Vouchers are typically offered as the default but you do not have to accept them.
