As schools in London break up for the summer, it’s worth remembering your rights before you leave for your holiday in Europe.
From air travel to mobile phones, there are plenty of ways in which EU rules ensure people are treated fairly while travelling abroad. The more people know about these rights, the easier it will be for them to make sure companies do the right thing, so I’m giving you a list of key consumer rights for people travelling in other European countries.
Stay healthy – plan ahead
Make sure you have a European Health Insurance Card. It can help cover the cost of emergency medical care if you fall ill while away. It isn’t a replacement for normal travel insurance, so you should still ensure you have adequate cover, but many insurers will waive the excess on a claim if you hold the card and sometimes the small print on policies actually requires you to have one. Make sure you apply in time.
Don’t be left feeling stranded
If your flight is cancelled or delayed by more than a few hours then you must be given immediate assistance by your airline. This includes arranging alternative travel – whether the problem is within the airline’s control or not.
Depending on the delay, airlines must also provide food, refreshments, communication facilities and, if the delay is overnight, accommodation. In certain cases airlines must also pay compensation. Airlines aren’t always as upfront about their obligations as they should be so make sure you know your rights. Get more information about your transport rights at here.
Special rules also apply for package holidays.
Stay in touch – take control of your mobile bill
Labour MEPs pushed through rules that have significantly cut the cost of using your mobile when in another EU country. The cost of sending a text message is capped at around 10p and texts are free to receive. The prices for making and receiving calls are also limited by EU rules and your operator should send you a free text message to let you know how much it costs to use your phone while abroad.
Are you planning on using a smartphone while you’re away? Using the internet or email on a mobile device can be expensive and it’s not always clear how much it’s costing you. Under EU rules, your phone company must allow you to set a limit on how much you’re willing to spend on internet fees while abroad. Contact your operator before you leave to set the limit.
Time shares – take time to cool off
When sitting back in the sunshine, the idea of having great holidays time and again will always be tempting. But be careful of getting carried away by the holiday feel-good factor. Some disreputable companies and individuals use the holiday season as an opportunity to put people under pressure to buy into dubious timeshare schemes.
Thousands of people get fantastic holidays and huge enjoyment out of their timeshares, but it is an area notorious for conmen and tricksters, so you need to be sure about exactly what you’re committing to. A reputable company won’t put you under pressure to commit to a contract, so stop to think before you sign.
If you do make a commitment that you then regret, EU law guaranties you a cooling off period. You can get more information from the Timeshare Consumers Association here or your local Citizens Advice Bureau.
Rights not respected? Let me know
You can be confident that these EU rules apply to all European Union member states. You can see exactly which countries are members of the EU on this map.
If you’re concerned that your rights haven’t been respected while you were on holiday, or if you need help with a problem that arose while in another EU country, please get in touch.
