Flight claim companies’ fees, with VAT applied
Reviewed by José Romero Lara
EU261 aviation lawyer — 5+ years as in-house legal counsel at international airlines
Flight claim companies charge nothing upfront but keep a percentage of what they recover. The confusion is VAT: 15% + VAT is not the same as 15% with VAT included. This table, compiled by AviFly, compares the fees each company publishes with VAT applied.
1Fees by company
| Company | Out of court | In court | With VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| AviFly | 15% + IVA | 30% + IVA | 18.15% / 36.3% |
| Reclamador | 25% + IVA | +15% + IVA | 30.25% / 48.4% |
| AirAdvisor | 30% IVA incluido | 50% con abogados externos | 30% / 50% |
| AirHelp | 35% IVA incluido | +15% IVA incluido | 35% / 50% |
| Flightright | 20–30% + IVA | Según el caso | 24.2%–36.3% |
2What you actually keep
| Compensation | AviFly | Reclamador | AirAdvisor | AirHelp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| €250 | €204.62 | €174.37 | €175 | €162.50 |
| €400 | €327.40 | €279 | €280 | €260 |
| €600 | €491.10 | €418.50 | €420 | €390 |
3How the fee with VAT is calculated
Example on €400 of compensation with a 15% + VAT fee: the base fee is €60, VAT (21%) is €12.60, and you keep €327.40.
With a 35% fee that already includes VAT, like AirHelp’s, €140 is deducted and you keep €260. The difference between the two is €67.40.
Ask for the total
Before signing, ask in writing how much will be deducted in total: fee, VAT and any admin cost. And what happens if the case goes to court.
4What the fee is calculated on
The fee is usually calculated on everything recovered, not only the fixed compensation: refunded expenses such as meals or a hotel count too. That’s how AviFly works, and it’s written into the contract.
You can also claim yourself for free from the airline and, if it doesn’t reply within a month, from AESA or in court (no lawyer up to €2,000). Then you keep 100%, but you do the work.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Reclamador charge to claim for a flight?
Reclamador publishes 25% + VAT out of court — 30.25% of the amount recovered — plus another 15% + VAT if there’s a trial (its published fees, September 2026).
Is VAT charged on the fee?
Yes. In Spain the fee carries 21% VAT, so 15% + VAT equals 18.15% of the compensation and 25% + VAT equals 30.25%.
Which company charges least?
Among those compared and under their published fees, AviFly (15% + VAT) is the lowest out of court: from €400 you keep €327.40, against €260 with AirHelp.
Is the fee the same if the case goes to court?
Almost never. AviFly charges 30% + VAT; Reclamador adds 15% + VAT; AirHelp adds 15% VAT included; AirAdvisor charges 50% when external lawyers are involved.
Can the fee be negotiated?
Usually not: companies work with standard rates. What you can do is compare fees before signing.
Are there costs if the claim fails?
With the companies compared, no: if they don’t recover your money they don’t charge. Confirm it in writing, court costs included.