EU Directive on Package Travel: Revised rules come into effect in May 2026, full application from 2029.
Revised Package Travel Directive in effect from May 2026 – what does this mean for travel agents and travellers?
The European Union is finishing one of The most important regulatory reforms for the tourism sector. The revised Directive on package travel and linked travel arrangements (EU 2015/2302) formally enters into force in May 2026, while it will be applied in practice from March 2029.
When is the Directive expected to be published?
The consolidated text of the amendments is currently being adopted by the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), while confirmation from the Council of the EU is also expected in parallel. The final publication in the Official Journal of the European Union is scheduled for April 2026.
Following publication, the Directive shall enter into force within 20 days, and the period of time for the Member States shall begin to run from 28 months for transposition into national legislation, with an additional transitional period of six months.
Key Dates
- Publication in the Official Journal of the EU: 15 April 2026.
- Effective: 5 May 2026.
- End of year for implementation: 5 September 2028.
- Application of the Directive: 5 March 2029.
Why is the Package Travel Directive being revised?
The revision of the Directive was triggered by the collapse of Thomas Cook and experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim was to remove legal ambiguities, strengthen consumer protection, and distribute responsibility more evenly among all participants in the travel chain.
After months of negotiations between the European Commission, the Council and Parliament, the final amendments were agreed in September 2025.
The most important changes brought by the new Directive
The revised text brings a series of significant changes for travel agencies and tour operators:
- simplified and clearer definitions, including abolition of the concept of linked travel arrangements
- the possibility of combining services outside of package arrangements, with clear and advance warning given to travellers
- Introduction of voucher issuance capability
- lifting of strict restrictions on advance payments
- a more balanced approach to organiser obligations in relation to official travel recommendations
- Clearer arrangements for refunds in case of insolvency
For travel agencies, a period of adjustment and timely preparation for national implementation lies ahead. For travellers, the new Directive brings greater transparency, better information, and stronger protection in crisis situations.
Source: ECTAA
