Representatives from EU member states and the European Parliament reached an agreement in Brussels to enhance travelers' rights for package tours. Affected individuals can cancel trips under specific conditions without fees and receive faster refunds. The rules still require formal approval.
The agreement seeks to better protect travelers, particularly regarding cancellations and refunds. Those canceling a package trip due to extraordinary and unavoidable circumstances will no longer face fees. Whether a reason qualifies as force majeure depends on the individual case, as noted in a European Parliament statement.
If the organizer cancels the trip, a refund must be issued within 14 days. Travelers can reject offered vouchers, provided they match at least the full refund value. Additionally, organizers must provide greater transparency: details on payment methods, passport and visa requirements, cancellation fees, and accessibility for people with limited mobility will become mandatory.
The European Commission proposed changes to the existing directive in late 2023. The provisional deal awaits formal endorsement by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. Once in force, member states have 28 months to incorporate the provisions into national law. These measures aim to simplify processes for millions of EU citizens booking package tours annually.