European lawmakers approve Alex Agius Saliba’s reforms strengthening travellers’ rights

The European Parliament has approved a reform package on travel rules, which allows consumers to cancel trips in extraordinary circumstances and receive an immediate refund.

The reforms were negotiated by Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba and will regulate the use of vouchers. They will remain voluntary but consumers also have the right to refuse them and request a refund within 14 days instead.

Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba

Under the new rules, vouchers should remain valid for a maximum of 12 months, after which any unused credit must be refunded. They may be used for any travel service offered by the organiser and are protected by insolvency guarantees.

“You now have the right to cancel your trip and receive a refund,” Agius Saliba said, specifying that “vouchers are a good tool, but they remain voluntary and not mandatory”.

The legislation introduces a mandatory complaint-handling mechanism. Every organiser must establish a system to manage complaints and provide a detailed reply within 60 days.

The updated directives reform a previous EU decision in 2025 which allowed consumers to cancel travel packages. This followed industry shocks caused by mass cancellations during the COVID-19 pandemic, which left thousands stranded and scrambling for refunds.