Ryanair check-in at airport for €55. Courts challenge fee – what about flights to Cyprus?

Ryanair airport check-in can cost €55 per person if passengers don't check in online. For a family of four flying from Poland to Paphos or returning from Cyprus, this translates to an additional €220 per flight. A German court challenged this fee in a specific case, and the Austrian Supreme Court previously ruled that part of the airline's regulations were unlawful.

This doesn't mean, however, that check-in at Paphos Airport has become free. Ryanair still imposes a fee for failing to complete online check-in, which closes two hours before scheduled departure. These rulings may be relevant when challenging a charge, but they don't guarantee an automatic refund for every passenger.

Ryanair airport check-in: a costly start to your journey

With a cheap ticket, the extra €55 can cost more than the flight itself. The fee is charged per person, making it particularly painful for families.

For example, if four people do not check in before travelling from Paphos to Poland, the airline's fee could total 220 euroWith five passengers it will be 275 euro.

These are examples illustrating the cost according to the carrier's rules. The case in Germany involved a different route— Berlin–Dublin.

How much can it cost to not check in online?

Number of passengers	Total fee
1 person	55 €
2 people	110 €
4 people	220 €
5 people	275 €

Calculations based on a rate of €55 per passenger requiring paid airport check-in, per leg of the journey. Please check your booking conditions for specific cases and exceptions.

The family paid 275 euros and went to court.

A family of five showed up at the check-in counter one hour and 52 minutes before the flight from Berlin to DublinFree online check-in had already closed. Passengers paid a total of €275, traveled, and then requested a refund.

The court of first instance in Königs Wusterhausen ruled in their favor. Ryanair filed an appeal.

Landgericht Cottbus in its decision of 11 September 2026, reference number 8 S 179/26, presented a position supporting its dismissal. He questioned the situation in which, after online check-in closes, the paid airport desk remains the only way to use the purchased transport.

According to the court, the passenger then does not opt for a voluntary additional service. It also noted cases where online check-in is prevented by an airline failure.

Important: the described second instance decision is a decision presenting the court’s assessment and announcing the dismissal of the appeal, and not a general ban on charging fees in all countries.

The Austrian Supreme Court also questioned the regulations

A separate case was concluded before the Austrian Supreme Court. In its judgment of May 19, 2026, reference number 4 Ob 170/25s, the court found it unlawful 14 of the 15 contested clauses regarding additional Ryanair fees.

The proceedings were initiated by the consumer organization VKI. They concerned, among other things, airport check-in and boarding pass issuance regulations.

One of the problems was the wording of the conditions, which could have resulted in the passenger being charged for the costs even when the impossibility of check-in was due to reasons attributable to the carrier.

This is not to say that every Ryanair surcharge is prohibited.

What does this mean for travelers between Poland and Cyprus?

Above all You should not assume that simply referring to a German or Austrian case will allow you to check in free of charge in Paphos.

The circumstances of the specific trip, the terms and conditions applied, and the law applicable to the dispute are all important. The Poland-Cyprus route alone does not determine the outcome of any complaint.

In practice, it's best to check in online well in advance and verify that it's completed for all travelers. Your ticket confirmation is not a boarding pass.

What should I do if the app won't let me check in?

If a problem occurs before the deadline, it is a good idea to document the error message – preferably with the date and time visible – and contact the carrier immediately.

If you are charged a fee, please keep:

• booking confirmation and flight details;
• proof of payment;
• screenshots showing the problem;
• correspondence with the line;
• description of the time and course of clearance attempts.

Documents can help with complaints. However, they do not guarantee a refund. The cases described are an argument for assessing similar situations, not an automatic payment mechanism.

A cheap flight is worth comparing with the total cost of the trip

When searching for a flight from Poland to Cyprus or in the opposite direction, it is also worth taking into account the necessary luggage, seat selection and check-in conditions.

Courts have challenged specific provisions and the way passengers are charged. However, for those flying to Cyprus, the most important rule of thumb remains: Check in before the deadline and dispute the incorrectly charged fee based on your documents and the circumstances of your trip.

Sources: Ryanair, beck-aktuell, Austrian Supreme Court, VKI