Wildfires in southern Europe are once again disrupting popular holiday destinations. Portugal and Spain are among the countries where fires have forced hotel evacuations and road closures, leaving many travellers wondering if they can cancel their trips without losing money.
Luxembourg’s consumer protection association (ULC) notes that the law allows travelers to cancel a package holiday free of charge if extraordinary circumstances significantly affect the trip – wildfires can fall into this category.
In practice, each case is assessed individually. If the tour operator cancels, customers automatically receive a refund. If the operator argues that the fires pose no danger or are too far away, disputes can arise.
The ULC advises travellers to:
Most operators tend to be accommodating, with many customers opting for relocation rather than abandoning their holiday altogether.
Insurance usually does not cover cancellations linked to natural disasters. Policies are generally intended for personal reasons, such as illness. As the ULC points out, there are no standard insurance products covering wildfires or floods.
Luxair and its holiday branch LuxairTours emphasise that passenger safety always comes first. In the event of wildfires or other unexpected events, they closely monitor the situation and contact affected customers directly. Options include relocating to a different hotel, switching destinations, or cancelling without penalty.
If your destination is directly affected by a wildfire and your stay becomes unsafe or impossible, free cancellations or alternatives are usually available. Always act in writing, keep records, and refer to the consumer code if needed. The ULC can provide assistance.
Court cases are extremely rare, but in theory a judge could rule on whether the circumstances qualify as exceptional and whether a refund must be granted.
