The European Commission sent a letter of formal notice on Thursday 2 July to the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Greece, France, Italy, Croatia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal and Slovakia.
Infringement proceedings have therefore been initiated against these 10 States on the grounds that their national rules infringe the EU Package Travel Directive (2015/2302).
In order to relieve the industry of the difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the 10 governments concerned have adopted provisions authorising package tour operators to reimburse cancelled services by means of vouchers, or even to postpone reimbursements.
European legislation guarantees travellers the right to choose between a cash refund – which must be made within 14 days – and other forms of refund, such as vouchers.
The 10 States concerned – two of which have also been singled out for violation of air passenger rights (see EUROPE 12519/22) – now have 2 months in which to fulfil their obligations. Otherwise, the Commission may send them a reasoned opinion.
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) welcomed the decision, arguing that customers “should not be used as cheap credit to bail out the travel industry”.
The organisation regrets, however, that no action has been taken against countries where emergency measures that do not comply with European rules had also been adopted but are no longer in force.
Last May, the European Commission reported that it had identified 12 offending States (see EUROPE 12486/7).
“All consumers across the EU who have been forced to accept vouchers during the application of such national temporary Covid-19 measures should have the right to a full monetary refund if they choose”, said BEUC Director General Monique Goyens. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)