IrelandA travel agent went bust before my trip. Am I protected?
Yes, if your trip was a package holiday booked through an Irish travel agent, you are protected under the Package Holidays and Travel Trade Act 1995 — including refunds and repatriation if the agent goes bust.
What the Law Says
The Package Holidays and Travel Trade Act 1995 provides legal protection for consumers who book package holidays through licensed travel agents in Ireland. Section 22 is central to financial protection when a travel business fails.
Under Irish law, a 'package holiday' means a 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.
Section 22 requires that all licensed travel agents selling package holidays must hold financial protection — either through insurance or a bond — to guarantee customers’ money and ensure repatriation if the agent becomes insolvent.
This protection applies whether you’ve paid in full or only a deposit. It covers both refunds of payments made and, if you’re already abroad when the company fails, arrangements (and costs) for your return home.
Statutory TextEvery licence holder shall ensure that there is in force, in respect of each package holiday sold or offered for sale by him or her, a contract of insurance or other financial guarantee which provides for the refund of money paid by the consumer and for the repatriation of the consumer where appropriate.
— Package Holidays and Travel Trade Act 1995, s. 22 — Financial protection
What to Do
Check if your booking qualifies as a ‘package holiday’ under the Act (e.g., flight + hotel booked together).
Contact the Commission for Aviation Regulation (now part of the Commission for Communications Regulation — ComReg) or visit www.packagetravel.ie to confirm the agent’s licence and protection status.
If the agent has failed, immediately contact their appointed insurer or financial guarantor (details should be on your booking confirmation or the agent’s website).
Submit a written claim for refund or repatriation support within 7 days of the failure — keep copies of all correspondence.
If unresolved, complain to the Small Claims Court (for claims up to €2,000) or seek advice from the Citizens Information Board.
Sources
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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.