Lost luggage: liability limits under the law

What the legal limit covers

The SDR (Special Drawing Right) is an accounting unit of the International Monetary Fund whose value in euros fluctuates daily: in 2026 it is worth just over 1 euro, so 1,519 SDRs correspond approximately to about 1,800 euros. The limit applies per passenger, not per suitcase, and covers both baggage and declared contents, provided they are reasonable and documentable: it is not an automatic reimbursement of the value declared by the passenger, but a maximum ceiling that the airline is not obligated to exceed.

How to get higher coverage

For items worth more than the standard limit, you can file a special declaration of value at check-in by paying an additional fee: an option that is not widely publicized but raises the airline's liability ceiling. Alternatively, a private travel insurance policy offers additional coverage independent of the international convention limit, especially useful for those transporting electronics or professional equipment.

What is excluded and time limits for claims

Cash, jewelry, and high-value electronic devices are often excluded or limited by general transport conditions, regardless of the legal maximum. As for timing, the Montreal Convention requires filing a written claim with the carrier within 7 days of receiving damaged baggage and within 21 days in case of delay; for definitive loss there is no specific deadline of this type, but the general two-year limitation period applies for legal action. For the practical steps to follow immediately after loss, see the claim guide in 3 steps.

Taking photos of your suitcase contents before departure and keeping receipts for valuable items is the simplest way to enforce these limits in a claim, rather than discovering them only after loss.