This document is an excerpt from the EUR-Lex website
Package travel — consumer rights (from 2018)
Package travel — consumer rights (from 2018)
SUMMARY OF:
Directive (EU) 2015/2302 — package travel and linked travel arrangements
WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DIRECTIVE?
It aims to introduce a high, uniform level of consumer protection in relation to contracts for travel packages* and linked travel arrangements*, taking into account the increasing use of internet booking.
KEY POINTS
Information
The following information should be provided by the organiser or retailer before a contract is signed:
The contract confirmation will also include the following:
In good time before the start of the package, the organiser will provide the necessary receipts, vouchers and tickets and the necessary travel information.
Price increases
Price increases (limited to 8 % in most cases) are only allowed if the contract expressly reserves that possibility (in which case price reductions can also be claimed) and if they directly result from:
Any price increase should be notified at least 20 days before the start of the package.
Contract termination
Where the organiser makes significant changes to the contract, or increases the price by more than 8 %, the traveller can, before the start of the package, either accept the change, accept a substitute package (of equal or higher value), or has the right to terminate the contract with any payment refunded within 14 days.
The traveller can terminate the contract at any time before the start of the package (paying an appropriate fee).
The traveller can also terminate (without paying a fee) in the event of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances occurring at the place of destination or its immediate vicinity and significantly affecting the performance of the package, or which significantly affects the transport of passengers to the destination. There will be a full refund but no additional compensation.
Performance
The package organiser is responsible for the performance of the travel services in the contract, even if they are carried out by other providers. There are rules for non-compliance, termination and compensation:
EU countries should ensure that messages, requests or complaints can be made directly to the retailer, and that the retailer forwards these to the organiser who must assist without undue delay.
There is increased protection for travellers in case of the organiser’s insolvency. A network of central contact points in EU countries will be set up to improve international cooperation.
This directive does not apply to arrangements:
In general, EU countries must not introduce regulations providing a level of traveller protection which diverges from this directive. The new measures should be applied by 1 July 2018.
The directive repeals Directive 90/314/EEC with effect from 1 July 2018.
FROM WHEN DOES THE DIRECTIVE APPLY?
EU countries have to incorporate it into national law by 1 January 2018. It becomes applicable from 1 July 2018.
The directive was incorporated into the European Economic Area Agreement on 22 September 2017.
BACKGROUND
For more information, see
Following the COVID-19 outbreak and introducing measures to cope with the impact of the crisis, the European Commission adopted:
KEY TERMS
MAIN DOCUMENT
Directive (EU) 2015/2302 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2015 on package travel and linked travel arrangements, amending Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 and Directive 2011/83/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Directive 90/314/EEC (OJ L 326, 11.12.2015, pp. 1-33)
last update 17.06.2020