Passenger rights news in Portugal

EU reaches agreement on new air passenger rights after 12 years

Parliament and Council disagree on air passenger rights but continue talks

Tug-of-war between the European Parliament and the Commission over travel rules

TAP is among the fastest at paying passenger compensation, SATA is the slowest

TAP takes about 10 days to pay compensation for flight delays or cancellations, according to an analysis by AirAdvisor. At the opposite end is SATA, which takes over four months. New European Union legislation will impose a maximum of 30 days. AirAdvisor analysed 68,311 passenger complaints filed between January and ...

EU rules to allow passengers two free cabin bags

Home News EU rules to allow passengers two free cabin bags EU rules to allow passengers two free cabin bags Air passengers flying from Portugal are set to be allowed two pieces of cabin baggage without paying an additional fee under new EU rules expected to take effect from late 2027.

Lost luggage in Portugal: know what to do and what your rights are

Few things can ruin a trip as much as arriving at your destination only to find your suitcase missing from the carousel. For those travelling between Brazil and Portugal, this is a frequent setback. In this guide, DN Brasil explains the steps to take if your luggage is lost, delayed, or damaged, and outlines the rights guaranteed to passengers under the Montreal Convention, including how to file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) and claim potential compensation.

dnbrasil.dn.pt11 Sept

New public transport regime strengthens passenger rights. Find out what changes

The Government published a decree-law on Tuesday, September 1st, in the Diário da República, which updates and standardizes the defense regime for passenger rights in public transport in Portugal. The new legal framework ends historical disparities between different modes of transport—rail, road, maritime, and river—ensuring a common level of protection for those traveling by bus, train, or boat, with cross-cutting rules for user assistance, luggage transport, bicycles, and pets. Among the main changes impacting passengers' daily lives, the law consolidates and strengthens accessibility rules for seats reserved for people with disabilities or reduced mobility, pregnant women, and users with infants. A major novelty is that the diploma now expressly establishes the right for a companion of a person with specific needs to travel in the adjacent seat or the closest possible seat to the dependent passenger. In cases of serious delays, cancellation of connections, or missed connections on combined or single-operator tickets, companies are bound by clear duties of swift rerouting to the destination under equivalent conditions or immediate reimbursement of the ticket price. Minimum criteria for the transport of bicycles and pets across the entire public transport network are also harmonized, limiting operator discretion. The approval of this regime follows a formal recommendation issued in July 2024 by the Ombudsman, Maria Lúcia Amaral, who alerted the Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing to protection gaps that left road and river transport users at a disadvantage compared to the regime already in force for railways. The diploma also implements the latest EU directives and regulations aligned with the European Green Deal. Regarding institutional and oversight matters, the diploma substantially strengthens the supervisory and enforcement powers of the Mobility and Transport Authority (AMT), which now has clarified sanctioning powers to punish operator failures. With the entry into force of this diploma, the AMT fully assumes the status of an independent regulator and national authority competent to apply consumer protection legislation in the sector. The regulator will have the direct task of overseeing compliance with information duties, processing complaints, and applying fines to transport companies that violate user rights or fail to respond to complaints within legal deadlines. The Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT) will be exclusively responsible for representing the State in the planning and design of legislative policies. Complaints about public transport are soaring. Delays dominate, but safety and hygiene are gaining weight. Seguro promulgates decree with new rules for railway transport oversight.

Disinformation is causing increasingly serious damage to European democracies

This week's 'Europa Viva' explains the impacts of disinformation in the EU through the analysis of Germano Almeida. Also in focus are the new air passenger rights over the last 10 years.

The hidden cost of global flight disruptions

A new global survey puts a number on what flight disruptions really cost passengers, not just in terms of money, and reveals how few know their rights.

EU approves strengthening of passenger protection

New airline passenger rights rules improve communication with carriers and enforce transparency in hand luggage pricing.

EU Council gives final approval to strengthening air passenger protection

New rules strengthen passenger rights by improving compensation, assistance, information, and communication with airlines.

Air transport: New rules increase passenger protection

The European Parliament has approved new rules that protect the rights of airline passengers.

Was Sebastião Bugalho left alone to face the bull?

Government in internal contradiction regarding the hearing of former PS ministers. The new rent regime generates expectations and criticisms of populism. Were digital exams a step too far?

New rules for airline passengers in 2027

The European Parliament has approved new passenger protection rules. MEP Sérgio Humberto discusses free carry-on backpacks, the end of surprise fees, and the right to a paper ticket starting in 2027.

EU approves new air passenger rights

Home News EU approves new air passenger rights EU approves new air passenger rights After more than a decade of negotiations between Members of the European Parliament and EU member states, new rules on air passenger rights have been approved.

MEPs approve new rules to end 'unacceptable practices' on planes

With 98% of the votes in favour, the European Parliament approved the agreement reached with the Council of the European Union regarding air passenger rights. The new rules are expected to come into force in 2027.

Consumer Minute: find out what changes for passengers with the new European rules

Air travel may become simpler for passengers. The European Union has reached an agreement on new rules that strengthen rights such as free carry-on luggage, seating for children, and compensation for delays. In this episode of 'Consumer Minute', we explain what is changing and when the new rules may come into effect.

MEPs debate passenger rights and fire prevention in plenary session

The European Parliament will debate next week the strengthening of air passenger protection and preparation for the wildfire season, among other topics highlighted in the plenary session taking place from Monday to Thursday in Strasbourg, France. On Tuesday, the European chamber is expected to approve the update of measures for the first time since 2004.

Air passengers could be entitled to compensation if flights are disrupted by unruly travellers

Home News Air passengers could be entitled to compensation if flights are disrupted by unruly travellers Air passengers could be entitled to compensation if flights are disrupted by unruly travellers Travellers whose flights are delayed or cancelled because of disruptive passengers may still be e

If the fuel crisis cancels your flight, who pays?

You booked a holiday, bought tickets, and now realise that due to the crisis in the Middle East, airlines are cancelling thousands of flights. Do you know what you are entitled to? A refund or compensation?

Companions of people with disabilities can travel by plane for free, European Union decides

The measure was agreed upon between the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union as part of the ongoing review of passenger rights for air, sea, rail, and bus travel in the EU.

EU agrees on free flights for companions of people with disabilities in certain situations

A review of passenger rights for air, sea, rail, and bus travel is underway in the European Union.

Father jumps from the eighth floor with four-year-old daughter

After an argument with his wife, a father jumps from the eighth floor with his four-year-old daughter. Airline passenger rights. And how Portugal's potential deficit does not worry investors.

The European war for airline passenger rights

It took 13 years of negotiations for the European Union to reach an agreement on passenger rights. With journalist Ana Sanchez, we explain what changes and what stays the same.

European Union air rights ban extra charges for family seats

Home News European Union air rights ban extra charges for family seats European Union air rights ban extra charges for family seats Families travelling within Europe are set to benefit from a major overhaul of air passenger rights, after the European Union reached an agreement that bans airlines

Father jumped from the 8th floor with his daughter for "revenge"

A neighbour of the couple confirms that they had already called the police due to the arguments they heard. The man reportedly had a history of domestic violence. A psychologist warns of the risk of “contagion” from the Valpaços case.

What will change in air passenger rights

After 13 years of deadlock, the EU has taken the necessary step in reforming air passenger rights. From hand luggage costs to paper boarding passes, air travel will change in 2027.