Are you all packed and ready to embark on your summer vacation? We hope everything goes smoothly, but if you encounter any issues during your travels, it's important to know that EU travel regulations offer protection for passengers in a variety of situations. Whether your flight is cancelled, your train is delayed, or your luggage is lost on a cruise, you are entitled to make a claim under EU-wide passenger rights.

Your entitlements will depend on the type of transportation you are using—airplane, train, bus/coach, or boat—and whether your journey takes place within, into, or out of the EU. Generally, there is a standard procedure to follow if you need to file a claim related to delays, cancellations, or lost luggage.

To begin, you should contact the travel company from which you purchased your ticket, using the complaint form they provide. If you do not receive a response within 1 to 3 months, depending on the type of transport, or if you are dissatisfied with their reply, you can escalate the issue by lodging a complaint with the relevant national authority in the country where the problem occurred. Additionally, your local European Consumer Centre can provide assistance and advice regarding passenger rights.

Should you face further difficulties with your claim, you can seek resolution through out-of-court procedures, such as an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) entity. If you purchased your ticket online, you also have the option to submit your complaint through the Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform. These dispute resolution methods are available only to EU residents.

Moreover, if you have a disability or reduced mobility, you are entitled to equal access to air, train, bus, coach, or boat travel, including the right to free assistance at terminals and on board vehicles. If you believe your rights have been violated, follow the same procedures outlined above to file a claim.