Renfe delay compensation: how much you get back and how to claim
In short (Renfe AVE, Avlo, Alvia, Euromed, Intercity and other long-distance trains):
- 60 minutes or more late: Renfe refunds 50% of the ticket.
- 90 minutes or more: 100%.
- Under 60 minutes: nothing today, though a 2025 law provides for 50% from 15 minutes and 100% from 30 (see below).
- Deadline: up to 3 months after travel, according to Renfe.
This guide summarises public information and isn't legal advice. Conditions change: before claiming, check Renfe's punctuality commitment. TrainRadar isn't affiliated with Renfe.
Renfe's punctuality commitment
Since 1 July 2024, Renfe has applied these bands to its commercial high-speed and long-distance trains, based on the arrival delay at the destination on your ticket:
| Arrival delay | Renfe refunds | EU minimum (Regulation 2021/782) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 60 min | Nothing | Nothing |
| 60–89 min | 50% of the fare | 25% |
| 90–119 min | 100% | 25% |
| 120 min or more | 100% | 50% |
Before July 2024, Renfe refunded 50% from 15 minutes and 100% from 30 on high-speed services. The change brought Renfe in line with OUIGO and Iryo, which have their own conditions.
Spain's Sustainable Mobility Act
The Sustainable Mobility Act (Ley de Movilidad Sostenible), passed at the end of 2025, includes a provision (the 31st additional provision) to restore the earlier bands: 50% from 15 minutes and 100% from 30. As of November 2026 Renfe doesn't apply it: it holds that the provision needs implementing regulations the Government hasn't completed, and the Ministry of Transport has announced a regulatory change. Consumer groups dispute this. If it affects you, keep your journey details and check the conditions in force when you claim.
The EU legal minimum
Regulation (EU) 2021/782 on rail passengers' rights (Article 19) sets minimum compensation of 25% of the ticket price for an arrival delay of 60 to 119 minutes and 50% for 120 minutes or more. Operators may decline to pay amounts of €4 or less. Member states may exempt urban, suburban and regional services from some of these rules. Renfe's long-distance commitment is more generous than this minimum.
Delays from Adif speed restrictions
Since 31 January 2026, Renfe and Iryo don't compensate delays caused by temporary speed restrictions imposed by Adif, the infrastructure manager, which they consider outside their control. Consumer groups argue these aren't force majeure and should be compensated. If that's the cause of your delay, claim anyway and keep the reply.
Commuter, regional, OUIGO and Iryo trains
Cercanías, Rodalies and regional (Media Distancia) trains have their own conditions, different from high-speed ones. OUIGO and Iryo apply theirs. Check each operator's page for your type of train.
How to claim, step by step
- Check the delay. Note how late your train reached the destination on your ticket. TrainRadar shows it live; in the Android app, My trips records it.
- Keep your ticket: booking reference, train number and date.
- Request compensation from Renfe on its website or app, or at a ticket office, within the deadline (up to 3 months after travel, according to Renfe).
- If refused, file a formal complaint with Renfe and, if unresolved, go to a Spanish consumer office or the regional transport arbitration board (Junta Arbitral del Transporte).
How TrainRadar helps
- Live delay of every Renfe train, from Renfe's own open data: you'll know whether you're heading past 60 or 90 minutes.
- Each line's punctuality over the last 7 days, free.
- My trips (TrainRadar Pro, Android app, €1.99 a year): logs your journeys with the delay at every stop and prepares a summary for your Renfe claim, as CSV or an image.
Renfe decides using its own records. TrainRadar's figure is a reference, not official proof.
FAQ
- How much does Renfe refund if my AVE is an hour late?
- Under the punctuality commitment Renfe has applied since July 2024 to its high-speed and long-distance trains (AVE, Avlo, Alvia, Euromed, Intercity), an arrival delay of 60 minutes or more gets 50% of the ticket price back, and 90 minutes or more gets 100%. Check the current conditions on renfe.com, as they can change.
- Do I get anything for a 15 or 30 minute delay?
- Not on high-speed and long-distance trains today. Spain's Sustainable Mobility Act includes a provision to return to 50% from 15 minutes and 100% from 30, but as of November 2026 it awaits implementing regulations and Renfe doesn't apply it.
- What does EU law guarantee?
- Regulation (EU) 2021/782 sets a minimum of 25% of the ticket price for an arrival delay of 60 to 119 minutes and 50% for 120 minutes or more. Operators may decline to pay amounts of €4 or less. Member states may exempt urban, suburban and regional services from some of these rules.
- How long do I have to claim from Renfe?
- Renfe states up to 3 months from the date of travel to claim under its punctuality commitment.
- Is the delay counted at departure or arrival?
- At arrival at the destination on your ticket.
Sources
- Renfe, Compromiso de puntualidad (in Spanish).
- Regulation (EU) 2021/782 on rail passengers' rights and obligations, Article 19.
- Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs, train delay compensation FAQ (in Spanish).
- elDiario.es (June 2024), Renfe changes its punctuality commitment.
- El Independiente (31 December 2025), Renfe and the Mobility Act.
- El Español (3 February 2026), Mobility Act and high-speed compensation.
- Diario de León (February 2026), Adif speed restrictions are not force majeure.