Key data
| Regulation | Directive (EU) 2026/1024 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 29 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Publication | 8 May 2026 |
| Entry into force | 29 April 2026 |
| Modified regulation | Directive (EU) 2015/2302 on package travel and linked travel arrangements |
| Affected parties | Travel agencies, tour operators, online travel platforms and consumers of package travel |
| Scope | Entire European Economic Area (EEA) |
| Category | European Regulation |
| Year | 2026 |
Travel agencies and tour operators operating in Spain have new obligations since the entry into force of Directive (EU) 2026/1024, published on 8 May 2026. This regulation modifies Directive 2015/2302 —the reference European regulation on package travel— and tightens requirements in three critical areas: refunds, contractual obligations and insolvency guarantees.
The impact is not theoretical. Any company that sells package travel in the European Economic Area must review its processes before Spain transposes this directive into national law.
What does this regulation establish?
Directive 2026/1024 introduces changes to the current regulation (Directive 2015/2302) in four main areas:
| Area | Previous situation (Directive 2015/2302) | Change introduced (Directive 2026/1024) |
|---|---|---|
| Cancellation refunds | General refund framework without reinforced specific mechanisms | Refund mechanisms are improved in case of cancellations, with greater clarity on timelines and procedures |
| Obligations of organizers and intermediaries | Defined obligations but with interpretive ambiguities | Responsibilities of travel organizers and intermediaries are clarified |
| Insolvency guarantees | Existing protection but with gaps in amount recovery | Guarantees are strengthened to ensure that travelers recover amounts paid if the operator is insolvent |
| Administrative compliance | Complex administrative requirements for companies | Administrative aspects are simplified to facilitate compliance, especially for agencies and tour operators |
The regulation applies to all operators established in Spain that market package travel, regardless of the sales channel (physical office, website or online platform).
Economic and operational impact
The impact of this directive is not measured in a specific rate or fine published in the text, but in the adaptation cost that companies in the sector must assume. The operational changes affect three areas with direct cost:
- Review and update of contracts and general conditions: All companies must review their package travel sales contracts to adapt them to the new information, refund and liability obligations.
- Adaptation of insolvency protection systems: Operators must review and, if necessary, strengthen their guarantee mechanisms (insurance, guarantees, guarantee funds) to ensure coverage of amounts paid by travelers.
- Training and updating of teams: Sales, customer service and administration staff must be aware of the new obligations, especially in managing cancellations and refund claims.
The administrative simplification introduced by the regulation may result in a reduction of bureaucratic burdens for companies that already complied with Directive 2015/2302, although the specific scope will depend on how Spain transposes the regulation into national law.
Who does it affect?
Directive 2026/1024 directly affects all companies operating in the package travel market within the European Economic Area:
- Travel agencies that sell package travel, both in physical offices and through digital channels.
- Tour operators that organize and market combined trips for the Spanish and European market.
- Online travel platforms that act as intermediaries in the sale of package travel.
- Travel intermediaries that participate in the marketing chain of linked travel services.
- Consumers of package travel, who benefit from the new refund guarantees and insolvency protection.
Operators established in Spain that sell package travel to travelers in any EEA country are subject to this regulation.
Practical example
A medium-sized travel agency based in Madrid that sells package travel through its website and physical office must face the following concrete steps as a result of Directive 2026/1024:
- It reviews its package travel sales contracts and detects that the cancellation refund clauses do not include the new reinforced mechanisms required by the directive. It must update the contract models and general conditions before the transposition deadline.
- It verifies that its insolvency insurance correctly covers the amounts paid by travelers in case of bankruptcy. If coverage is insufficient, it must expand it or contract an additional guarantee.
- It trains its customer service team on the new traveler rights regarding refunds and cancellations, to correctly manage claims from the first day of application.
This process is the same for a large tour operator or an online platform: the scale varies, but the obligations are identical.
What should companies do now?
- Identify if you market package travel or linked travel services. If your company sells combined trips to consumers in the EEA, you are affected by this directive without exception.
- Review all current contracts and general conditions. Compare current clauses with the new refund, information and liability requirements established by Directive 2026/1024.
- Audit insolvency protection systems. Verify that your insurance, guarantees or guarantee mechanisms correctly cover the amounts paid by travelers according to the new standards.
- Update contract models and general conditions. Adapt contractual documents to the new requirements before Spain approves the transposition regulation.
- Train the team on new traveler rights. Sales, customer service and administration staff must be aware of changes regarding cancellations, refunds and claims.
- Monitor the national transposition deadline. Spain must transpose the directive into internal legal order before the established deadline. From that moment, non-compliance may result in consumer claims and administrative sanctions.
Frequently asked questions
What changes with EU Directive 2026/1024 compared to the previous regulation?
Directive 2026/1024 modifies Directive 2015/2302. The main changes are: improvement of refund mechanisms in case of cancellations, clarification of obligations of organizers and intermediaries, administrative simplification and strengthening of guarantees against operator insolvency so that travelers recover amounts paid.
Which companies does the new package travel directive affect?
It affects travel agencies, tour operators and online travel platforms established in Spain that market package travel. The regulation applies throughout the European Economic Area.
What must travel agencies adapt before the transposition deadline?
Companies must adapt their contracts, general conditions and insolvency protection systems to comply with the new requirements for refunds, information and liability established by Directive 2026/1024.