COVID-19: Legislative Measures in selected European Union countries
Last updated: 05 May 2020
In March 2020 the European Commission issued its Interpretative Guidelines on EU passenger rights regulations in the context of Covid-19, which reference Regulations 261/2004 on EU air passenger rights, 1177/2010 on EU sea and inland waterways travel, 181/2011 on EU bus/coach passengers rights, 1371/2007 on EU rail passenger rights. A further guidance note, Information on the Package Travel Directive in connection with COVID-19 covers Directive (EU) 2015/2302 on package travel and linked travel arrangements. At the same time, a number of European Union Member States issued national emergency measures to assist with the economic recovery of their transport and travel industries. This list is continuously updated.
| COUNTRY | SECTOR: ACCOMMODATION | SECTOR: EVENTS |
| AUSTRIA | According to the latest legislation in Austria, organisers of events cancelled due to COVID-19 can offer consumers a voucher (subject to conditions), fully refundable if not used by 31 December 2022. | |
| BELGIUM | According to the latest Belgian legislation, reimbursement of event tickets is suspended for 3 months. Event organisers can issue a voucher (subject to conditions), valid for up to 2 years. | |
| FRANCE | According to the latest French legislation, traders can offer vouchers valid for 18 months, secured by guarantee, fully refundable if not used by the end of its validity period. | According to the latest French legislation, event organisers can offer vouchers, valid for 18 months, guaranteed against vendor insolvency, and refundable at the end of the 18 months. |
| GREECE | According to the latest Greek legislation, consumers can be offered vouchers, which are fully refundable at the end of the 18-months validity period. | According to the latest Greek legislation, consumers can be offered vouchers, which are fully refundable at the end of the 18-months validity period. |
| ITALY | According to the latest Italian legislation, consumers can be offered a voucher with a validity period of 12 months or can request a full refund. | According to the latest Italian legislation, the event organiser/ticket seller must issue a voucher, refundable within 12 months. Consumers can request a full refund. |
| NETHER LANDS | According to the latest guidance, accommodation providers can offer vouchers, subject to certain conditions, including being covered by a guarantee. Consumers can choose to request a refund or reschedule their reservation. | According to the latest guidance ticket vendors can offer vouchers provided they meet certain conditions, including being covered by a guarantee. Organisers can also reschedule or refund the events. |
| POLAND | According to the latest Polish legislation, hotels can issue vouchers instead of refunds for cancelled bookings. | According to the latest legislation in Poland, vouchers can be issued if valid for at least 12 months. Refunds must be operated within 194 days at customer’s request. |
| PORTUGAL | According to the latest Portuguese legislation, consumers can receive a voucher valid until 31 December 2021, and fully refundable within 14 days after if not used. | |
| SPAIN | According to the latest Spanish legislation traders can offer vouchers for accommodation bookings, with a choice of a full refund. | According to the latest Spanish legislation, traders can offer vouchers, with a choice of a full refund. |
