Air passengers in Europe enjoy some of the best consumer protections in the world. But the European Union is contemplating watering down these passenger-friendly measures, which could leave travellers out of pocket.

The current regulation, known as EU261, has been in place since 2005, providing passengers with compensation and support in the event their trip doesn’t go to plan. A revision to these rules has been debated since 2013, but has resurfaced this week as Brussels once again comes under pressure from airlines and lobbying groups.

It would mean the amount of time your flight needs to be delayed before compensation is paid could change.

Currently, passengers must arrive at their destination at least three hours late in order for EU261 to apply. A new proposal led by Poland, which currently holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union, could see this threshold raised to at least five hours.

“These changes would be hugely detrimental for consumers,” says Coby Benson, flight delay compensation solicitor at Bott & Co, noting that the current three-hour threshold incentivises airlines to run a punctual operation. “If the threshold was raised to five hours, airlines would face no penalty for those lengthy delays and therefore passenger inconvenience will increase.”

What is EU261 and how does it protect passengers?

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, commonly referred to as EU261, is a European Union regulation that establishes the rights of air passengers in cases of flight delays, cancellations, and denied boarding. It ensures passengers are entitled to compensation, assistance, and reimbursement when their travel plans go wrong.

EU261 applies to any flight departing from an EU airport, regardless of the airline’s nationality, and flights arriving at EU airports if they’re operated by an EU airline. It does not cover flights heading to Europe on non-EU airlines, or non-European flights that have a layover in Europe.

The regulation covers all member states plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. The UK has adopted the same criteria for compensation, with the law referred to as UK261.

Currently, passengers are entitled to compensation if they are delayed for more than three hours, if the flight is cancelled within 14 days of departure, and if they were denied boarding because the flight was overbooked.

Compensation is not payable for ‘extraordinary circumstances,’ which include extreme weather, air traffic control restrictions, strikes not involving the airline’s staff, and political instability.

The amount of compensation you get will depend on the length of the delay and the distance of your flight. The maximum payable for any one claim is €600, which would involve a flight of more than 3,500 km and a delay of four hours plus.

“The importance of reliable and safe travel for consumers has been highlighted by the flight chaos of recent summers and the coronavirus pandemic,” Karolina Wojtal, head of the European Consumer Centre (ECC) in Germany, told Euronews Travel. “Far too often, passengers are faced with cancelled or delayed flights.”

According to data from flight compensation company Skycop, almost 2 per cent of departures from EU airports were either significantly delayed or cancelled in 2024. Between June and August, the busiest travel months, more than 60,000 flights were disrupted to the extent they were covered by EU261. Skycop estimates the total bill at €2 billion in passenger compensation.

What are the changes to flight compensation currently being considered?

The changes being debated now are the same ones proposed in 2013. These include introducing a structured compensation scheme for delays, moving from the current three-hour threshold to five hours for short-haul, nine hours for medium-haul and as long as 12 hours for the longest flights.

“Such a revision would significantly weaken passenger rights by raising the compensation thresholds,” says Reinhold Schranz, head of the European Consumer Centre in Austria. “This would lead to a situation where nearly 85 per cent of affected passengers would no longer be entitled to compensation—since most recorded delays fall between 2 and 4 hours.”

Airlines4Europe, an airline association representing 70 per cent of European air traffic, argues that extending the flight delay to five hours would actually result in more passengers getting to their destinations. They say it “would act as a strong incentive for airlines to solve any possible delays before reaching the threshold” and avoid a cancellation of the flight.

However, Schranz warns that passengers could face increased delays if the protections are weakened. “As compensation for cancellations remains due regardless of delay duration, airlines might be incentivised to delay flights rather than cancel them to avoid paying compensation,” he added.

Should airlines be paying passengers more compensation?

Despite the real term value of payouts changing due to inflation, the amounts paid under EU261 haven’t changed in two decades.

AirAdvisor, a flight compensation company, says reforms are needed to EU261 to maintain its value to consumers.

“EU261 compensation has been stagnant for two decades, and inflation has eroded its value,” says Anton Radchenko, CEO of AirAdvisor. “If EU regulators don’t adjust these rates, they will fail to incentivise airlines or provide meaningful compensation to passengers. Right now, passengers may not even bother claiming compensation for amounts as low as €250.”

Many airlines are completely opposed to EU261, particularly the low-cost and short-haul operators. With passengers paying as little as €20 for a flight on Ryanair, the airline can be left severely out of pocket if dozens of people claim compensation for a delay.

“We think the amounts are disproportionate,” Philip Meeson, CEO of Jet2, told the Independent. “We think it would be a great idea to review the rules and make them proportionate.”

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has long demanded a review of the rules. “They are a mess,” says director general Willie Walsh. “They cost airlines €5 billion a year and do nothing to drive improvements in some of the worst-performing corners of the aviation system or improve the flying experience.”

For the ECC in Germany, the focus is on maintaining existing standards rather than increasing the amounts payable. Head Karolina Wotjal points out that time thresholds are crucial to triggering payment, and that if these were changed, even higher compensation amounts wouldn’t help the consumer as fewer people would be able to claim.

“Consumers see the existence of strong passenger rights as a success for the EU,” says Wotjal. “Reducing their rights at this political moment is not a good signal at all.”

When will passenger compensation for flight delays change?

With new proposals floated and in discussion, there is now a long road ahead to get any changes cemented into legislation. Conversations are likely to continue over the coming months, with outcomes going through the European Parliament and the Council, both of which would have to sign off on the final text.

When the UK ‘Brexited’ the EU, it had the option to stop following the directives of the Union. However, it adopted EU261 into UK law, and passengers from the UK are allowed the same protections for flights as their European counterparts.

Should the rule change in the EU, it wouldn’t naturally alter in the UK. However, as Benson notes, “it remains to be seen whether the UK government would look to follow suit and voluntarily seek to bring our law in line with Europe.”

For now, the three-hour rule remains in place, so travellers who are delayed can still seek compensation. But the outcome of discussions in Brussels could have far-reaching impacts on passenger rights in Europe.

Unless you’re visiting a major city for your holidays, the last leg can be the worst of the whole journey. When you emerge from a busy airport, tired from your flight, the last thing you need is to try and figure out how to use local public transport.

As a result, many holidaymakers rely on hotel shuttles, taxis or rideshares for the final miles of their trip. While this is often convenient, it’s typically expensive and comes at a high carbon cost. Taking the train can be a more pleasant, affordable, and environmentally sound option. In some cases it is quicker too.

By combining rail tickets with flight bookings, passengers can take the guesswork out of this last stretch of their journey. Air-rail tickets mean you’ve got your booking in hand when you arrive and can simply head to the train station for your connection. On top of this, when booked all together, airlines will protect the passenger in case a flight delay means they miss their train.

Several European airlines already offer combined ticketing, with some even transferring luggage from plane to train for you.

Air France: Combining flights with trains to France

Air France offers not one but two ways to combine your flight with a rail trip.

For trips that include a train within France, the Train + Air tickets are available for any international travellers, including those arriving from or going to French overseas territories. The train network in France is expansive, with connections from both Orly and Charles de Gaulle in Paris to dozens of destinations across the country.

To book these tickets, passengers simply need to enter the name of the train station as if it were an airport. The airline will organise the train booking, and tickets are delivered as a downloadable e-ticket 30 hours before the trip.

Keep in mind that your baggage will not be transferred between the plane and the train, so manual retrieval and checking in will need to be done. Orly Airport is not walkable to Massy TGV station, but the airline provides a taxi transfer between the rail station and the terminal.

For those heading to or departing from Brussels, Air&Rail offers similar perks. In this case, a combined ticket will put you in first class on the TGV INOUI, and bags will be checked at the rail station on departure. However, if you’re arriving in Paris by plane, you’ll need to get your bags yourself and drop them at the Air&Rail agency before boarding the train.

Air France states that if you miss a connection due to a delay, the airline will transfer you to the next available flight or rail service.

ITA Airways: Accessing all of Europe on one ticket

Italian airline ITA Airways has teamed up with AccesRail technology to offer combined air and rail tickets that cover just about all of Europe. Launched in 2023, the service allows travellers to book train tickets at both ends of their journeys, including in the UK.

Available for any international or intercontinental flights, passengers can book train travel with several rail partners, including Trenitalia in Italy, Renfe in Spain, SNBC in Belgium and Deutsche Bahn in Germany. Most of the UK’s many train operators are also included.

This means that you could effectively travel from the picturesque Italian town of Orte in the province of Viterbo by high-speed rail to one of the airports in Rome. From there, you could catch a flight to London and immediately hop on a train to Edinburgh. All on one ticket and with a protected itinerary.

Booking is via the ITA Airways website, with separate boarding passes issued for each mode of transport. You will be responsible for picking up your luggage and taking it to the next stage of the trip.

Austrian Airlines: Connecting the world to Austria’s gems

Through its AIRail program, Austrian Airlines offers onward travel from any of its international flights to Linz, Salzburg, Graz and Innsbruck. Arriving into Vienna, passengers can connect directly onto ÖBB Railjet trains to get to their final destination stress-free.

Booking the ticket is simple on the Austrian Airlines website. As with other airlines, the desired train station should be selected as the final arrival point, which will then be shown on the itinerary as being ‘operated by ÖBB.’ The rail section will even have an Austrian Airlines flight number.

The connection is guaranteed, so if you face a delay during any part of your trip, a new booking will be provided. Baggage is transferred by the passenger between train and plane, and check-in for both modes of transport can be done online.

As an additional perk, Austrian Airlines provides a snack voucher to use on the train, and allows passengers to collect Miles & More points on the rail portion of their trip. As a Miles & More member, a discount of 20 per cent is also applied to car parking in Linz.

TAP Portugal: Travel to any city in Europe

TAP Portugal allows passengers to book onward rail travel not just in Portugal but to many major cities in Europe. Its partnerships with several rail companies mean cities in Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Switzerland are all reachable with just one booking.

The train ticket must be booked at the same time as the flight, as it cannot be added on later. Baggage is self-transfer, and the connection is guaranteed so any disruptions can be easily resolved.

Lufthansa: Go anywhere in Germany with Deutsche Bahn

Lufthansa’s Rail&Fly tickets offer connections to more than 5,600 train stations in Germany through its partnership with Deutsche Bahn. Unusually, the Lufthansa offer also allows travel up to one day before or after the flight, catering to those trips operating at unsociable hours.

Although the partnership is with Deutsche Bahn, passengers are only limited to DB stations, not to the rail operator. That means onward travel can also be on InterCity, EuroCity and ICE trains, opening even more options.

There are two ways to book Rail&Fly tickets. If you’ve already selected your flight, you can add a rail connection under ‘additional services’ on the booking page. Alternatively, you can simply book a trip selecting the rail station as the destination and the booking system will do the rest.

Baggage is self-transfer with Rail&Fly, and passengers do not have to take the train that is specified on the booking. The ticket is valid for any train on that route on that day.

SWISS Air Rail for connections to Switzerland and beyond

SWISS passengers can book Air Rail connections to any SBB station in Switzerland from Zurich and Geneva airports. It also includes some stations that are close to the border outside of the country, such as Bregenz in Austria and Munich in Germany.

Unlike some other airlines, the Air Rail connections are fully integrated into the SWISS booking system. This means a seamless booking experience and only one check-in required, with only one boarding pass for all parts of the journey.

The train ticket is valid for one day before departure and up to one day after the arrival of the flight. Unlike Lufthansa, SWISS notes that you must try to use the specific train service you booked, particularly for those services that cross the border.

Baggage must be carried with you on the train, both when arriving and departing the country. However, for an extra fee, SWISS offers a baggage transfer service throughout Switzerland called AirPortr, which will let you travel luggage-free.

KLM: From Amsterdam to the world

KLM was one of the first airlines in Europe to venture into air-rail tickets, offering onward transport to Brussels from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport for over 20 years. Originally provided by Thalys, now Eurostar, the service has been used by more than 4.5 million passengers since 2001.

Passengers can choose to travel to or from either Brussels-Midi/Zuid train station or Antwerp Central station with their air-rail ticket. Both stations can be selected as your departure or arrival location, and will include a high-speed train journey from Belgium to Amsterdam.

Brussels-Midi/Zuid is also a connection for the air-rail service to Paris Charles de Gaulle for Air France, KLM’s sister airline. In March 2024, the airline group announced a refurbished lounge in Brussels for their Air&Rail customers, enabling customers to check in, drop their luggage and relax in pleasant surroundings.

Is booking an air-rail ticket worth it?

In general, booking both legs of a journey together is well worth it for the peace of mind alone. All the services mentioned here offer a connection guarantee, meaning if you miss your train or flight due to a delay, you won’t be stranded.

Cost savings vary depending on the service booked, but those offering a fixed cost for the rail journey (such as Lufthansa) tend to give great value. If you hold a loyalty card with the airline, you may also be able to earn frequent flyer miles for the rail portion of your ticket.

The carbon savings can be pretty significant, too. In general, train travel produces between 40g and 50g of CO2 per passenger kilometer, less for electric trains, compared with 150g to 200g per passenger kilometre for a short-haul flight. Choosing a train over a flight for a journey of 500 km, for example, would reduce the CO2 emissions by 70 to 90 per cent.

There are some limitations of combined air-rail tickets, most notably in terms of the lack of flexibility with the train portion. Not all rail companies are included in these offers, and fewer options may be presented when booking via the airline. The manual transfer of luggage may also be a problem for some passengers.

Nevertheless, the ease of having one booking and knowing you’ll be taken care of if things go wrong makes the air-rail offering an appealing option.

A warm and sunny climate, 5,000 km of coastline and world-class food and wine – it’s easy to see why Spain continues to be a top destination for tourists from all over the world.

In 2024, Spain welcomed a record-breaking 94 million visitors, 10 per cent more than arrived in 2023. International tourists spent approximately €126 billion, accounting for around 13 per cent of the national GDP.

But with this influx of tourists came a raft of problems, some of which Spain is trying to rectify in 2025. Following a year marked with high-profile anti-tourism protests, a number of new rules are being brought in or considered in an attempt to balance the needs of the locals with the impact of soaring visitor numbers.

With rules being set at multiple levels – some applying nationally and others just in specific towns and cities – navigating these new regulations can be a minefield for visitors.

Nevertheless, with some rules attracting fines of hundreds of euros, it’s important to be aware of what to do and expect when planning a trip to Spain this year.

What do you need to remember to get into Spain?

Spain’s entry requirements for tourists depend greatly on where you’re coming from, how long you plan to stay and why you’re travelling.

For visitors from the EU, EEA or Schengen Area, entry is still fairly straightforward. Just a national ID Card or Passport is required, and there’s no limit on the length of stay, although visitors must register if they plan to stay longer than 90 days.

For non-EU travellers, which includes the UK, Canada and USA, border checks have been tightened to better control arrivals.

Even if you’re only visiting Spain for one day, you’ll need a passport valid for at least three months after your planned departure date, as well as up to five other documents.

New for 2025, Spain is now requiring proof of travel insurance at the border for non-EU visitors. You should have a return or onward travel ticket in hand too, as you may be asked to show this.

You also need to show you have enough funds to cover the length of your stay in Spain, and proof of your hotel booking. If you plan to stay in your own property, you’ll need a proof of address.

For those staying with friends, family or a third party, a ‘carta de invitation’ from the person you’re staying with or proof of their address may be required.

If you’re planning a trip to Spain later in the year, be aware that the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is set to come into force in mid-2025. This travel authorisation costs €7 and can be applied for online, lasting for three years following a successful application.

What accommodation rules will be in place this year?

The Spanish government implemented new restrictions on short-term rentals on 2 January. Any property owner wishing to rent out their house is now required to be registered in a national database and obtain a permit before they can list their property on booking platforms.

Accommodation providers are also required to collect sensitive personal information from their guests, including bank details and personal identifiers. Spain has also proposed raising VAT on short-term rentals to match the 10 per cent paid by hotels which, if it happens, could make a stay in the country more expensive.

Airbnb has criticised the move, noting that previous efforts to restrict short-term rentals in other cities have not had the desired effect on overtourism.

Travellers are still able to stay in hotels, guesthouses and Airbnbs that were registered before these restrictions came into place, so in the short term, there should be little impact on holidaymakers. However, as visitor numbers continue to grow, the lack of new rental accommodation could see prices begin to inflate in the coming years.

Are Airbnbs banned in Spain?

Airbnbs are not banned across Spain, but will be restricted in some neighbourhoods.

In Malaga, 43 neighbourhoods have been identified where rental apartments exceed 8 per cent of the housing stock. In these neighbourhoods, no new rental properties will be allowed.

Barcelona plans to shut down all 10,000 apartments currently licensed as short-term rentals in the city. Airbnb-style flats will not have their licenses renewed, while new properties will be refused. Barcelona hopes to phase out all short-term tourist lets by 2028.

What tourist taxes will you need to pay in Spain?

Spain has had forms of a tourist tax in place since 2012, when Catalonia introduced a ‘ecotax’ of €0.60 to €3.50 per night. Now, several cities and regions have implemented a visitor tax, which has to be paid to the accommodation provider, usually at check-in.

Barcelona’s tourist tax is one of the fastest rising in Europe, and in 2025 it has been doubled. In early March, the Catalan government signed an agreement allowing Barcelona and other Catalan destinations to raise fees from €3.50 to €7 per night for luxury hotels.

Fees are doubling but remaining smaller at less lavish accommodation, with four star hotels attracting a rate of €3.40 per night, up from €1.70. Cruise passengers will be expected to pay €6, up from €3, even if they are just visiting for the day.

On top of this, Barcelona has a municipal surcharge of €4 per night, which could also be doubled in 2025. This would bring the total cost per night in taxes to €15 for the top end hotels, with VAT added on top.

In the Balearics, including Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca, approvals have been granted to raise the overnight charge from €4 to €6 per person, per night. Rates will be highest for those holidaying in peak periods (June, July and August) and at the most luxurious hotels.

The Canary Islands are also mulling a tourist tax in the wake of multiple protests last year. The town of Mogan on Gran Canaria was the first to take a step, introducing a €0.15 fee per person, per day, in January.

Elsewhere in Spain, Santiago de Compostela and Toledo are introducing new tourist taxes in 2025, with fees ranging between €1 and €2.50 per person per night.

The bad behavior that could get you fined in Spain

Aside from the confusing taxation and rental rules, some Spanish towns have some pretty unusual rules about tourist behaviour.

Boozing bans in Barcelona and the Balearics

Cracking down on drunken disruption, Barcelona will ban pub crawls in the historic Eixample district from 1 June. Pub crawls have already been banned in the city’s old town – the Ciutat Vella district – since 2012, and that particular prohibition will remain in force until at least 2028.

In the Balearics, alcohol consumption has been restricted in all major resorts since May 2024. The rules apply in Llucmajor, Palma and Calvia (Magaluf) in Mallorca as well as San Antonio in Ibiza. Alcohol consumption on the street is banned, and shops are not allowed to sell alcohol between 9.30 pm and 8 am.

Breaking these rules could see fines of €750 to €1,500 for disruptive behaviour or as much as €3,000 for the most serious offences.

Tourist driving ban in Mallorca

Hiring a car is set to get more difficult too, as visitors will be required to provide the same information to hire firms as they do to hotels. Some firms are allowing visitors to fill in the required forms before arriving to speed up the process, but remember to take a valid ID with you when collecting your vehicle.

The town of Soller in Mallorca has moved to ban tourists from driving in the town centre with its new low emission zone. Covering 12 historic streets and some 70 hectares of the municipality, the rule means only residents’ cars will be allowed to circulate.

Visitors driving non-registered vehicles, such as hire cars, will be asked to park in newly-created parking spaces, on the edge of the historic town centre.

Bans on beach gazebos and tents

Torrox, a popular destination on the Costa del Sol, is banning beach tents, gazebos and similar structures from being set up on the beach. Approved by local councils on 24 February, the rule aims to increase safety in the town.

Councilors explain that such structures take up space, create noise and block the view of lifeguards trying to protect swimmers. They could also get in the way of emergency services trying to access the beach.

Torrox first made headlines in 2014 when it became the first municipality in Malaga to issue fines for beachgoers who tried to reserve spots by leaving deckchairs, umbrellas, or personal belongings unattended.

Smoking in Spain could light up a fine

Over recent years, Spain has cracked down on smoking heavily. Although smoking indoors has been banned since 2011, several outside spaces also have restrictions that visitors should be aware of.

Barcelona was the first major city in Spain to ban smoking on beaches, but more than 100 other beaches in the country have since imposed bans.

On the Balearic islands, 28 beaches are now smoke-free zones. In Ibiza, these include Playa de Santa Eulalia del Río and Playa de Talamanca; in Mallorca, it includes Sant Joan, Santa Ponsa, Cala Estància and several others; and in Menorca, smoking is banned at Binissafúller and Platja Gran.

Elsewhere in Spain, 53 beaches in Andalucia, 61 beaches on the Canary Islands and 18 beaches in the Costa del Sol have all been declared smoke-free. In Costa Blanca, one in four beaches has banned smoking.

In addition to traditional smoking, a recent rule change has seen vaping banned in several locations. Ten beaches in Barcelona and 28 in the Balearic Islands have banned the use of vapes.

Peeing in the sea could cost you more than your dignity

Whatever your stance on urination in the ocean, Spain is keen to stop it happening.

Two years ago, the northern Spanish town of Vigo introduced fines for “physiological evacuation on the beach or in the sea.” Following in its footsteps, Malaga has also banned underwater urination at 25 beaches in the municipality, and is looking to increase its fines from €300 to €750.

The ruling for Malaga is still under consultation, but if it is passed, it could see a number of other disruptive activities banned like playing with balls, allowing dogs to enter the water and reserving areas with parasols.

How to stay the right side of the tourist laws in Spain

While it may seem confusing, most of the rules on taxation fall to your accommodation provider to comply. Tourist taxes should be collected by the property and then declared to the government, and any failure to do so will see the accommodation owner in trouble, not the tourist.

Making sure you have all the right documentation is a natural part of any trip. Keep it on hand as you go through border control in case you’re asked for proof, and watch out for news on the ETIAS coming into force as this will be another step to remember.

When it comes to bad behaviour, acting with decency and consideration from local residents will usually be enough to keep you away from any fines. However, do check with your accommodation or travel agent about the rules in place at your destination to avoid falling foul of any new local restrictions.