EU adopts new passenger‑rights rules for all transport modes

Representatives of the European Council and Parliament reached an agreement on new EU-wide passenger‑rights rules covering air, rail, bus and other transport services. The measures aim to improve enforcement and speed up complaint handling, introduce clearer refund procedures and strengthen protection for people with disabilities or reduced mobility.

Intermediaries such as travel agencies and online platforms will have to inform passengers about refund arrangements at the time of booking, and airlines must disclose whether they work with such intermediaries. Passengers are entitled to receive refunds within seven days, or within fourteen days if the intermediary has already paid the carrier. Small operators are exempted provided passengers are clearly informed in advance. Standardised claim forms will be introduced for compensation requests.

Cyprus transport minister Alexis Vafeades, whose country chairs the Council, said the deal marks “another important step towards a more transparent, consistent and passenger‑friendly framework across the EU”. The agreement now awaits formal approval by the Council and Parliament before the rules take effect.