EU Strengthens Protections for Package Travel

The European Parliament just approved a major overhaul of consumer rights for travelers booking combined services within the EU. Following lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and high-profile travel agency collapses, the updated directive ensures travelers are better protected during extraordinary circumstances like natural disasters or health crises.

A "package" now includes travel services booked together online within 24 hours, even if personal data is shared between different providers. Under the new rules, companies must issue full refunds within 14 days if a trip is cancelled due to unavoidable events. While companies can offer vouchers, they must remain optional, have a maximum validity of 12 months, and be fully refundable upon expiry.

Who is affected

These changes impact anyone booking travel in or from the EU, including digital nomads and expats who bundle flights and lodging. It significantly lowers the financial risk for international travelers, as even non-EU residents benefit from these protections when booking EU-based packages. The rules also mandate that companies acknowledge complaints within 7 days and resolve them within 60 days.

What you need to know

If you are planning a multi-city trip or a long-term stay that involves bundled bookings, keep these points in mind:

• Refunds for cancellations due to "extraordinary circumstances" must be processed without penalties.
• In the event of a company bankruptcy, insolvency protection must provide refunds within 6 months.
• Vouchers cannot be forced on you; you always have the right to request cash instead.
• Organizers must clearly state whether your booking qualifies for package protections or falls under "linked travel" rules.

While the EU Parliament has given its green light, individual member states now have roughly two years to write these rules into national law. You can expect these protections to be fully active across the bloc by early 2029.

Stay informed on how these changes impact your next destination by checking our nomad news and browsing our country guides for specific regional advice.