If you do not fly, you can ask the airline to refund the airport and government taxes included in your ticket, even on a non-refundable fare: these are amounts the airline only pays for passengers who actually travel. With Ryanair you must apply within one month of the flight date. If the airline cancels the flight, you are owed a refund of the whole ticket, taxes included. Here is how it works.
What airport taxes are
Besides the airline's fare, the ticket price can include:
- departure charges and passenger service charges paid to the airport;
- security charges for screening;
- government taxes that some countries levy on every departing passenger.
You can see them in the price breakdown when you book or on your receipt. They are tied to the passenger who flies: if you do not travel, the airline does not pay them and must give them back on request.
When you can claim them
| Situation | What you are owed |
|---|---|
| You choose not to fly, non-refundable fare | Only the passenger-related taxes, on request |
| You do not fly, refundable fare | The refund set by the fare, taxes included |
| The airline cancels the flight | A full ticket refund within 7 days, or an alternative flight |
| Delay of more than 5 hours and you give up the flight | A full ticket refund |
How it works with Ryanair
- a refund is only due if government taxes were paid when you booked: you can see them in the price breakdown. According to Ryanair, higher fares usually include them while lower fares often do not;
- you must apply within one month of the departure date of the flight you did not take, using the dedicated form on the Ryanair website.
Other airlines have different rules and deadlines, and some charge an admin fee that can be more than the amount you would recover: read the conditions before you apply.
How to claim, step by step
- Check the price breakdown in your booking confirmation and find the taxes and charges.
- Wait until the flight date: the request is usually made after the missed departure.
- Fill in the airline's tax refund form with your booking reference.
- Keep the confirmation of your request and chase it if you get no reply.
Was your flight cancelled or delayed?
If the airline left you on the ground, do not settle for the taxes: you are owed a full refund or an alternative flight and, if the flight was cancelled with less than 14 days' notice or arrived 3 hours or more late, compensation of €250, €400 or €600 per passenger too. With DelayFlight24 you can check for free in 2 minutes: you pay nothing upfront and our fee is 25% + VAT only if you get compensated. Read our guide to refunds when you cannot fly and our cancelled flight page.
Frequently asked questions about airport tax refunds
Can I claim airport taxes back on a non-refundable ticket?
Yes, passenger-related taxes are only due if you fly. The airline may keep an admin fee set out in its conditions.
How long do I have to claim taxes from Ryanair?
One month from the departure date of the flight you did not take, and only if the taxes were included in the price you paid.
How do I know how much I am owed?
Look at the price breakdown in your booking confirmation: taxes and charges are listed separately from the fare.
If the airline cancels my flight, does it only refund the taxes?
No, then you are owed a refund of the whole ticket and, if you were told less than 14 days before, compensation too.
Is it worth claiming a few euros in taxes?
It depends on the amount and on any admin fee the airline keeps. If the airline cancelled the flight, though, it is always worth claiming the refund and compensation.
Work out your compensation now
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- Free check, no commitment
- No upfront costs: 25% + VAT only if we win
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Find out more
- Air passenger rights
- Delayed flight: when you can claim compensation
- Cancelled flight: refund and compensation
- Overbooking: what you are owed
- What our service costs
Article updated on 22/10/2026 by the DelayFlight24 editorial team.