Travelling in the EU

What are your consumer rights when booking travel in the EU?

This page explains your consumer rights when travelling in the EU, Iceland or Norway. It covers package holidays, hotel bookings, holiday rentals, shopping and what to do if you have a problem with a business in another EU country. You’ll find links to official sources for advice, complaint templates and support. 

These rights cover package holidays, linked travel arrangements, accommodation and shopping with EU-based/registered providers or operators. 

If your flight or ferry is cancelled or delayed, you are entitled to specific protections under EU law.

What do you need to know about hotels and accommodation in the EU?

Hotel bookings are not specifically regulated by EU law unless they are part of a package holiday or linked travel arrangement. If you book directly with a hotel or through a booking website, always read the terms and conditions carefully.

You have the right to accurate information and must not be misled or pressured into making a booking. For more details, see unfair commercial practices.

What do you need to know about cancelling a holiday or accommodation booking?

If you book a holiday rental with another consumer, always use a reputable online platform. See below for some advice for booking a rental home for your holiday: 

How can you protect yourself when booking holiday rentals?

If you book private accommodation, such as a self-catering apartment or holiday home, use a reputable online platform. See below for some advice for booking a rental home for your holiday:

• Only make payments and communicate through the platform.
• Do not send payments by bank transfer or through money transfer services like Western Union or MoneyGram. Use a debit or credit card instead.
• Be aware of rental scams and prices that seem to be too good to be true.
• Carefully read through past reviews of the property and check when they were made. For example, are the most recent reviews mostly positive or negative?

What are your consumer rights when shopping in the EU?

Most of your consumer rights when shopping in the EU are the same as in Ireland. You should not be treated differently as a consumer because you are not a citizen of the EU country you are visiting. The item you buy must be:

• As described by the seller
• Fit for the general purpose of the product
• Of merchantable (sellable) quality

Sellers must not mislead you, make false claims or pressure you into buying. Prices must be clear and include all taxes. Consumer contracts must be fair and written in plain language. EU law protects you against:

• Unfair commercial practices 
• Unfair pricing 
• Unfair contract terms 

A consumer has additional rights to certain information before they buy and to cancel within a cooling off period when shopping online. For more information, see buying online.

What should you do if something goes wrong when travelling in the EU?

If you have a problem with a business in another EU country, Iceland, Norway or the UK, you can get help from the European Consumer Centre Ireland (ECC Ireland).

• ECC Ireland provides information about your rights for shopping and travelling in the EU.
• You can use complaint letter templates to help make your complaint.

If you are unhappy with a business’s response, you can make a complaint to ECC Ireland. You will need to provide proof of purchase and details of your complaint. ECC Ireland will review your case and, if appropriate, contact the European Consumer Centre in the country where the business is based to mediate on your behalf. If mediation is not possible, you will receive information about alternative options.