RYANAIR GUIDE
Ryanair tax refund:
how to claim taxes on an unused ticket?
Bought a Ryanair ticket but didn't take your flight? Even though Ryanair tickets are generally non-refundable, there may be a way to claim a refund for certain government taxes when you did not travel.
Ryanair states that a Government Tax refund request can be made within one month of the flight's departure date if you did not travel. This page explains the key points to understand before buying the Ryanair premium guide.
Step-by-step guide · Message template included · Instant access · No guaranteed refund
To request a Ryanair tax refund, you need to check whether government taxes were actually paid at the time of booking, confirm that you did not travel, prepare your booking details and submit a request within the timeframe set by Ryanair. Ryanair states that a Government Tax refund request can be made within one month of the flight's departure date if you did not travel.
The Ryanair premium guide helps you prepare your request, understand what to ask for, avoid common mistakes and use a tailored message template.
Unused Ryanair ticket: which taxes can you claim?
Ryanair is a low-cost airline with strict refund rules. If your flight operated and you were not on board, Ryanair states that you are generally not entitled to a refund of the ticket itself.
However, the airline separately mentions the possibility of requesting a refund of certain Government Taxes when the passenger did not travel, provided those taxes were actually paid at the time of booking.
It is therefore important to distinguish between:
- –the price of the Ryanair ticket
- –added fees and options
- –government taxes that may be recoverable
- –any fees applied by the airline or the intermediary
Definition: what is a Ryanair tax refund?
A Ryanair tax refund refers to the request for certain government taxes associated with an unused Ryanair ticket to be paid back.
This is not an automatic refund of the full ticket price. In most cases, Ryanair considers the ticket itself to remain non-refundable if the flight operated and the passenger did not show up.
The request must therefore be worded precisely as a request for recoverable taxes, not as a request for a full ticket refund.
Definition: what is an unused Ryanair ticket?
An unused Ryanair ticket is a ticket for which the passenger did not board the scheduled flight.
This can cover several situations:
- –you missed your Ryanair flight
- –you decided not to travel
- –your trip was cancelled on your end
- –you did not use a non-refundable ticket
- –the flight date has passed and you were not on board
In these cases, the fare portion of the ticket may be lost, but certain government taxes may, depending on Ryanair's terms, be worth claiming.
Key facts — Ryanair tax refund
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Airline | Ryanair |
| Type of request | Government Tax |
| Situation covered | Passenger who did not travel |
| Is the Ryanair ticket refundable? | Generally not if the flight operated |
| Potentially recoverable taxes | Government taxes paid at the time of booking |
| Deadline stated by Ryanair | Request within one month of the flight departure date |
| Automatic request? | No |
| Refund guaranteed? | No |
| Premium guide available | Yes |
| Guide price | £5 or €5 |
What Ryanair says about non-refundable tickets
Ryanair states in its help centre that its tickets are generally non-refundable. If the flight operated and the passenger was not on board, the airline states that it generally does not offer a ticket refund, since the reserved seat remained empty.
This means two types of requests should not be confused:
Types of possible requests
| Type of request | Purpose | General likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| Ryanair ticket refund | Recover the price of the transport | Generally refused if the ticket is non-refundable and the flight operated |
| Ryanair tax refund | Claim certain recoverable government taxes | Possible if the conditions are met |
| Refund of options | Baggage, seat, priority, etc. | Generally not guaranteed |
| Refund for a flight cancelled by Ryanair | Different procedure | May fall under passenger rights |
When can you request Ryanair taxes?
You can consider a request if:
- –you did not take your Ryanair flight
- –your flight has already happened
- –government taxes were paid at the time of booking
- –you are still within the timeframe set by Ryanair
- –you have the necessary booking information
Ryanair states that a Government Tax refund request can be made within one month of the flight's departure date if you did not travel.
It is therefore important not to wait too long after the flight date.
What you can prepare before the request
| Information | Why it is useful |
|---|---|
| Passenger full name | Identify the person concerned |
| Ryanair booking reference | Find the booking |
| Flight number | Identify the unused flight |
| Departure date | Check the request deadline |
| Email used for the booking | Find the confirmation |
| Proof of booking | Support the ticket in question |
| Detail of the price paid | Check whether taxes were charged |
| Purchase channel | Know whether the request should go through Ryanair or an agency |
Ticket bought directly from Ryanair or via an agency?
The procedure may differ depending on the purchase channel.
If you bought directly from Ryanair
You will generally need to use Ryanair's own tools or forms, along with your booking details.
If you bought via an agency or an OTA
If you booked through a platform such as Opodo, eDreams, Booking, Expedia, Trip.com or another agency, Ryanair or the agency may ask you to go through the intermediary that sold the ticket.
In that case, you should check:
- –who received the payment
- –who issued the confirmation
- –which email is associated with the booking
- –whether you have access to the Ryanair booking
- –whether the agency charges a processing fee
General procedure to request Ryanair taxes
The exact procedure may change, but the general logic remains the same.
Confirm you did not travel
The tax refund request concerns passengers who did not take the flight.
Check the departure date
Ryanair states a one-month deadline from the departure date to request the Government Tax refund.
Find your booking
Prepare your booking reference, the email used, the passenger name and the flight number.
Identify the taxes paid
Not all amounts paid to Ryanair are recoverable taxes. Options, service fees or surcharges are not necessarily included.
Use the correct request channel
The request must be made through the channel provided by Ryanair, or via the intermediary if the ticket was bought through an agency.
Keep proof
Keep a screenshot or a copy of the request sent, with the date it was sent.
Example message to request Ryanair taxes
Hello,
I would like to request a refund of the recoverable government taxes linked to a Ryanair ticket that I did not use.
Passenger name:
Booking reference:
Flight number:
Flight date:
Email address used for the booking:
As I did not travel on this flight, could you please let me know the refundable government taxes associated with this booking and proceed with refunding the recoverable amounts.
Best regards,
The Ryanair premium guide includes a more targeted template and a checklist so you don't forget any important information.
Common mistakes to avoid with Ryanair
Requesting a full ticket refund
If your ticket is non-refundable and the flight operated, Ryanair generally states that the ticket price is not refunded.
Confusing taxes with options
Baggage, seats, priority boarding, insurance or service fees are not automatically refundable.
Sending the request too late
Ryanair mentions a one-month deadline after the departure date to request the Government Tax refund.
Contacting the wrong party
If the ticket was bought through an agency, the request may need to go through the agency or you may need to check the correct channel.
Ryanair guide pricing
Secure payment · Instant access · No guaranteed refund
What the Ryanair premium guide includes
| Guide content | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Explanation of Ryanair taxes | Understand what can be claimed |
| Step-by-step procedure | Know what to do and in what order |
| List of information to prepare | Avoid an incomplete request |
| Message template | Send a clear request |
| Common mistakes | Avoid unnecessary refusals or delays |
| Agency booking scenario | Identify the correct contact |
| Final checklist | Check your file before sending |
What the Ryanair guide does not guarantee
- –that Ryanair will accept your request
- –that all taxes will be refunded
- –that the ticket price will be refunded
- –that options will be refunded
- –that an agency will not charge any fees
- –that an incomplete file will be accepted
- –that a late request will be processed favorably
The refund depends on Ryanair, the ticket, the country of departure, the taxes actually paid, the purchase channel and meeting the deadlines.
Independent site, not affiliated with Ryanair
Flight Tax Refund is an independent site. The site is not affiliated with Ryanair, is not endorsed by Ryanair and does not act on behalf of Ryanair.
Our guides are practical informational resources. They do not constitute personalized legal advice and do not guarantee that you will obtain a refund.
In summary
- –Ryanair tickets are generally non-refundable if the flight operated and the passenger was not on board.
- –Ryanair does, however, allow for a refund request of certain Government Taxes if you did not travel and those taxes were paid at the time of booking.
- –Ryanair states that a Government Tax refund request can be made within one month of the flight's departure date.
- –It is important to distinguish between the ticket refund, the tax refund, options and service fees.
- –The Ryanair premium guide helps you prepare a clear and complete request.
- –A refund is never guaranteed.
- –This site is independent and not affiliated with Ryanair.
Frequently asked questions about the Ryanair tax refund
Ready to request your Ryanair tax refund?
Access the Ryanair premium guide to prepare your request step by step.
Useful sources
- – Ryanair Help Centre: general refund policy
- – Ryanair Help Centre: Government Tax Refund
- – Ryanair Refund Application Form
- – French Consumer Code, article L224-66
- – Service-Public.fr: airport tax refunds