Have the article read by OpenAI (Beta). Please note that AI translations may take some time to process.Brussels (dpa) – Late on Tuesday, European Union lawmakers and governments reached a provisional deal which will give travellers more rights when cancelling booked package holidays and claiming refunds.
EU lawmakers said that, according to the draft agreement, anyone who has to cancel a package holiday due to “unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances” would be entitled to a full refund.
If a trip organiser cancels a package holiday, they are obliged under the agreement to refund their customers within 14 days. Although vouchers can also be offered as compensation, travellers can refuse this option.
According to the provisional deal, the vouchers must be worth at least the value of the refund that would otherwise be due.
In the future, travellers will also be entitled to more information about their package travel. This includes details of available payment methods, relevant passport and visa requirements, cancellation fees and information on accessibility for people with reduced mobility.
The European Commission made proposals for an amendment to the rules at the end of 2023.
The provisional agreement reached on Tuesday must now be formally approved by both the European Parliament and the EU governments in early 2026 before entering into force.
Member states will then have 28 months to adapt their laws to the new measures and an additional six months to start applying the new provisions. (December 3)
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