European UnionA tour operator went bankrupt during my holiday. Am I protected?
Yes, you are likely protected under EU law if your tour operator was based in an EU country and sold you a package holiday — you may be entitled to refunds and repatriation.
What the Law Says
The EU’s Package Travel Directive ensures protection for consumers who book package holidays — including when the organiser becomes insolvent.
The Package Travel Directive (2015/2302/EU) applies to any pre-arranged combination of at least two of the following: transport, accommodation, or other tourist services — sold or offered for sale at an inclusive price and covering a period of more than 24 hours or including overnight accommodation.
Under Article 12, Member States must ensure that travellers are protected against the organiser’s insolvency. This includes full reimbursement of payments made and, if necessary, repatriation — even if the bankruptcy occurs mid-holiday.
Article 12(2) requires organisers to provide 'adequate protection' through insurance or other financial guarantees. The Directive sets a minimum coverage threshold of €10,000 per traveller for each claim, and guarantees 100% repatriation coverage where applicable.
Statutory TextTravellers shall be protected, at no extra cost to them, against the organiser’s insolvency… including reimbursement of all payments made and repatriation.
— Directive (EU) 2015/2302, Art. 12(1)
Statutory TextThe guarantee shall cover at least €10 000 per traveller for each claim and shall ensure full repatriation.
— Directive (EU) 2015/2302, Art. 12(2)
What to Do
Contact your national enforcement body (e.g., UK’s CAA, Germany’s Reisebüro-Gewerbeamt) or the organiser’s appointed insolvency protection provider immediately.
Keep all receipts, booking confirmations, and evidence of payments.
Apply for reimbursement within 14 days of the organiser’s insolvency declaration — most national schemes require claims within this timeframe.
If abroad, contact your embassy or the local tourism authority for urgent repatriation assistance.
Check whether your travel insurance covers additional costs — though it cannot replace statutory insolvency protection.
Sources
Same Question, Other Jurisdictions
Germany
Australia
Ireland
Singapore
UK
US-California
US-New York
Japan
South KoreaNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.