UKI need to cancel my holiday due to illness. What are my rights?
If you're too ill to travel, your rights depend on whether you booked a package holiday and whether you have travel insurance. You may be entitled to a full refund or credit, but not automatic cash refunds for non-package bookings.
What the Law Says
UK law gives stronger protections for package holidays than for standalone bookings. The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 implement EU rules (retained post-Brexit) and set out your rights if you need to cancel due to illness.
If you booked a package holiday — meaning a combination of at least two of: transport, accommodation, or other tourist services sold at an inclusive price — you’re protected under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.
These regulations require travel providers to offer either a full refund or a suitable alternative (e.g., credit voucher) if you cancel due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances — which includes serious personal illness preventing travel.
However, the law does not guarantee a cash refund in all cases. Providers may offer a credit voucher instead — unless you explicitly request a refund and the cancellation is due to 'unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances' *on their side*. Your personal illness generally entitles you to a refund only if the contract allows it or if you have travel insurance covering cancellation.
For non-package bookings (e.g., flight-only or hotel-only), your rights come from the contract with the supplier and consumer law — mainly the Consumer Rights Act 2015 — but this does not require refunds for customer-initiated cancellations due to illness.
Statutory TextThe organiser shall, without undue delay, refund all payments received from the traveller in the event of cancellation by the traveller on account of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances.
— Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, reg. 13(2)
What to Do
Contact your travel provider immediately and quote your booking reference.
Obtain a signed medical certificate confirming you’re unfit to travel — most providers require this.
Check your travel insurance policy: many cover cancellation due to illness if certified by a doctor.
If you booked a package holiday, ask in writing for a full refund citing Regulation 13(2) of the Package Travel Regulations.
If refused, escalate to ABTA (if member) or the Civil Aviation Authority (for ATOL-covered bookings).
Sources
Not 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.