Category: Cyprus News Agency

Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos held a telephone conversation on Tuesday with the Greek Foreign Minister, Giorgos Gerapetritis, as part of the ongoing coordination between the two governments.

According to a post on X, the discussion focused on current developments in the region.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1020hPa (hectopascal)

Weak high pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine but at times increased cloud will be present.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 25°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA

PERIOD

WIND

STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Morning

Northeast to Southeast 3

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4, at times locally 4

Smooth to Slight, at times locally Slight

Night

Northwest to Northeast 3

Smooth to Slight

South Coast

Morning

Northeast to Southeast 3

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

South to Southwest 3 to 4, at times locally 4

Smooth to Slight, at times locally Slight

Night

Northwest to North 3

Smooth to Slight

East Coast

Morning

North to Northeast 3

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Southeast to Southwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Night

Northwest 3

Smooth to Slight

North Coast

Morning

Northeast to Southeast 3

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Northwest to Northeast 3 to 4, at times locally 4

Smooth to Slight, at times locally Slight

Night

Southeast to Southwest 3

Smooth to Slight

Time of issue: 0530

Date: 20/10/2026

European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s solidarity with Greece and Cyprus in a joint statement, following the ratification of the Turkish-Libyan “memorandum” by the Libyan Parliament.

The two heads of the EU institutions expressed “deep regret” over today’s ratification by the Libyan Parliament of the so-called Libya-Trkiye Memorandum of Understanding on the delimitation of maritime jurisdictions in the Mediterranean Sea.

They also recalled that the EU’s position on the matter was clearly stated by the European Council in 2019 and “remains unchanged”.

Costa and von der Leyen were particularly clear in their assessment of the agreement: “This agreement infringes upon the sovereign rights of third states, it does not comply with the Law of the Sea, and is null and void.”

Concluding, the two presidents reiterated: “We reaffirm our solidarity with Greece and Cyprus.”

The statement stresses, finally, that the EU reiterates its well-known position against any outside interference in Libya.

The labour market is a key indicator of an economy’s resilience and prospects, as it is closely linked to growth, productivity and social welfare. The case of Cyprus is of particular interest, as the labour market has remained remarkably resilient despite successive external shocks since the pandemic, including the energy crisis, inflationary pressures, tighter financial conditions and persistently elevated geopolitical uncertainty. Unemployment declined to a historic low of 3,6% of the labour force in 2026Q2, employment continues to expand, inflows of foreign workers remain significant, and labour force participation among Cypriots has been maintained at high levels.

Monitoring developments in the labour market is particularly important. On the one hand, a resilient labour market strengthens the economy’s ability to absorb external shocks and support domestic demand. On the other, under conditions of near full employment, such as those currently prevailing in the Cypriot labour market, issues related to labour availability, skills adequacy and productivity are becoming increasingly important for the economy’s growth prospects. As illustrated in Chart 1, sustaining economic growth is becoming increasingly dependent on continued employment growth and improvements in labour productivity.

1. Why has the labour market in Cyprus remained so resilient despite successive external shocks since the pandemic?

The resilience of the labour market in Cyprus is the result of the interaction of several factors linked to the structure of the economy, the dynamics of labour demand, the establishment of international companies, which has strengthened the supply of skilled labour through the attraction of highly qualified professionals from abroad, as well as the adaptability of labour market institutions.

A key role is attributed to the strong performance of labour-intensive service sectors, which account for almost 80% of total employment. Tourism, professional services, information technology, financial services, shipping, as well as healthcare and education services have continued to generate substantial demand for labour. Despite the temporary effects of the pandemic, these sectors demonstrated considerable adaptability and recovered relatively quickly.

At the same time, continued foreign investment inflows and the establishment of international companies in Cyprus have materially supported labour demand. In particular, the technology sector (including fintech, gaming, etc.), financial services (especially investment firms), and other professional services have created a substantial number of new jobs for both highly skilled and support personnel.

Furthermore, the implementation of policies aimed at attracting workers from abroad, both highly skilled and lower-skilled, has contributed to supporting economic activity and alleviating pressures arising from labour shortages in selected sectors. The ability to draw on labour from other European Union Member States as well as third countries has enabled businesses to respond to increased demand without generating more acute staffing shortages. Chart 2 illustrates the growing contribution of non-Cypriot workers in meeting rising labour demand, with their share in total employment increasing significantly in recent years and approaching 28% in 2025.

The economic restructuring that followed the 2013 banking crisis contributed to a shift in economic activity towards more outward-oriented and higher value-added sectors, while also strengthening the functioning of the labour market. Specifically, as previously noted, the gradual strengthening and expansion of sectors such as technology, financial services (particularly investment firms), and other professional services contributed to the diversification of the country’s economic base and the creation of new employment opportunities.

Finally, the gradual improvement of mechanisms aimed at activating the unemployed, the expansion of training programmes, and the modernisation of public employment services appear to have supported the steady decline in unemployment.

It is worth noting that the decline in unemployment was accompanied by increases in both employment and the labour force. Furthermore, the near full-employment conditions currently prevailing in Cyprus do not appear to be associated with strong signs of economic overheating and the recent inflationary pressures are primarily attributable to external geopolitical developments.

Specifically, the maintenance of unemployment at exceptionally low levels coincided with the easing of inflation pressures following the 2022 energy crisis, more moderate wage growth compared with the rates recorded over 2023, and the continuation of positive, albeit softer, economic growth rates (Chart 3). These developments suggest that the favourable performance of the labour market reflects, to a significant extent, the structural strength and resilience of the Cyprus economy. Consequently, developments in the labour market underline the importance of continuously monitoring the factors affecting economic activity and employment conditions, also highlighting the need to better understand the interactions between wages and prices, which will be examined in greater detail in a forthcoming CBC Economic Brief.

2. What are the main challenges to maintaining labour market resilience?

Despite the current positive picture, the Cypriot labour market faces several medium- and long-term challenges.

One of the most significant challenges relates to the economy’s relatively high dependence on specific export-oriented service sectors that are highly exposed to foreign demand. A major external shock affecting tourism, professional services and the technology sector, including via a negative impact on foreign investment inflows, could lead to a significant slowdown in job creation. Although the manufacturing and construction sectors support the labour market, their contribution remains comparatively small relative to larger euro area economies with extensive industrial sectors.

A second, and fundamentally structural, challenge concerns demographic developments. Population ageing, a phenomenon affecting Europe overall, is expected to contain future growth in the domestic labour force. As unemployment has already fallen to exceptionally low levels, the scope for increasing employment via the mobilisation of idle labour resources has become considerably more limited. Chart 4 illustrates the significant increase in the employment rate of the 55-64 age group, which has contributed more than any other age group to the overall rise in employment. This development highlights the importance of labour market participation among older age groups, as labour supply may face increasing constraints in the years ahead.

The significant contribution of foreign workers to meeting the economy’s labour needs suggests that future labour supply may be influenced by developments in both the international and domestic environment. In particular, changes in investment flows or increased competition among countries to attract skilled labour could affect labour availability in Cyprus. Consequently, any slowdown in migration inflows, combined with sustained strong labour demand, could lead to greater labour supply constraints.

In addition, rising housing costs and the contained supply of residential units may act as a disincentive both for lower-income Cypriot workers and for foreign workers, thereby negatively affecting labour mobility and workforce availability. These developments could also intensify wage pressures on businesses, either through higher living and housing costs or because of relatively limited labour availability in certain sectors and occupations.

Low unemployment does not preclude the existence of significant skills mismatches in the labour market. Although there is no data of widespread skills mismatches, shortages have been identified in specific occupations, based on assessments by local economic and social partners and findings from European Commission (EC) surveys. Indeed, the latest EC indicators suggest that labour shortages in services (including tourism, technology and professional services) have largely eased, while shortages remain more pronounced in the construction sector. However, these shortages do not appear, thus far, to constitute a major constraint on economic activity. In fact, the gradual decline in long-term unemployment provides evidence that labour shortages are not materially constraining economic activity and that labour market functioning has improved. The long-term unemployment rate fell from around 8% in 2014, immediately following the banking crisis and the increase in discouraged workers outside the labour force, to 2% in 2020 and to below 1% by the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026, approaching levels observed before the restructuring of the banking sector (Chart 5). Overall, the particularly favourable labour market conditions and the marked decline in long-term unemployment, alongside the gradual easing of inflationary pressures, are consistent with the assessment that the Non-Accelerating Inflation Rate of Unemployment (NAIRU) may be lower than in the past. The reduction in long-term unemployment is especially important, as prolonged unemployment can raise the structural unemployment rate (NAIRU) through skills erosion and detachment from the labour market.

Finally, productivity is expected to become increasingly important over the long term. As the economy approaches full-employment conditions, future growth will no longer be able to rely primarily on rises in the number of workers but will instead depend increasingly on gains in labour productivity, as noted earlier (Chart 1).

3. Policy Issues for Maintaining Favourable Labour Market Conditions

Maintaining favourable labour market conditions in Cyprus requires the continuation of policies that strengthen both labour supply and the economy’s ability to adapt to potential adverse external shocks. Attention could be given to further increasing the participation of women, older workers and young people via measures such as improving access to affordable childcare services, promoting flexible forms of work, strengthening parental leave arrangements, and expanding apprenticeship, internship and vocational training programmes.

At the same time, the development of human capital and the improvement of labour market matching represent important policy priorities. Relevant measures include policies aimed at strengthening STEM skills, digital skills and artificial intelligence competencies, training programmes tailored to labour market needs, faster recognition of professional qualifications, and the use of digital matching tools to connect workers with job vacancies. These measures can help address skills shortages and support productivity growth.

In addition, maintaining a flexible economic migration framework, with a continued focus on simplifying procedures and the targeted attraction of workers in high-demand occupations, can support an adequate labour supply amid the ongoing diversification of the economy’s productive base within the services sector. Finally, improving the availability and affordability of housing can enhance the country’s attractiveness for skilled workers. In this context, the continuation and expansion of policies that support an increase in housing supply could contribute positively to the functioning of the labour market.

4. Concluding Remarks

The Cypriot labour market has demonstrated remarkable resilience in recent years, despite the particularly challenging conditions prevailing in the external environment. At the same time, demographic developments, evolving skill requirements and the growing importance of productivity are expected to increasingly shape future labour market outcomes. In this context, policies that strengthen labour force participation, skills development, the efficient functioning of the labour market and labour productivity can contribute to maintaining favourable employment conditions and support the long-term growth potential of the Cyprus economy.

[1] Marios Polemidiotis, Senior Officer, Head of Macroeconomic Analysis and Forecasting Section of Economic Analysis and Monetary Policy Division. I would like to thank Maria Papageorghiou for constructive comments and Charis Charalambous for the preparation of the Charts. The views expressed in this Economic Brief are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Central Bank of Cyprus or the Eurosystem. The author bears sole responsibility for any errors or omissions.

President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman will hold a new meeting today. The meeting is scheduled for 11.00 am (local time) at the UN-protected areas of the now defunct Nicosia airport.

According to a UN press release following the leaders’ meeting last week, “they agreed to meet next week to continue their discussions”, adding that ‘the two leaders look forward to the upcoming visit of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General on Cyprus, María Ángela Holguín’.

It was also said that they agreed to jointly attend upcoming meetings of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, the Technical Committee on Youth and the Steering Committee of the Civil Society Consultative Body.

Meanwhile, President Nikos Christodoulides said that he is going to the meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader with a sole objective for positive developments. He also pointed out that a tripartite meeting is taking place between him, the Turkish Cypriot leader and UNSG’s personal envoy Maria Angela Holguin in October.

The President said that discussions are underway and that potential dates have already been proposed for the arrival of Holguín and for a joint meeting with the two leaders. He added that the Greek Cypriot side gave a positive response and assumes that the same goes for the Turkish Cypriot side.

“I truly hope that tomorrow [today] we will have positive news to announce”, he said. When asked about the exact date of Holguin’s arrival he said that the UN will officially announce the date but added that the personal envoy is arriving sometime in October.

Replying to another question whether an announcement regarding the opening of a new crossing point would be made, he replied, “I certainly hope so”.

The President noted that we are ready, should there be a positive response, to proceed with such an announcement, as well as to address various other issues raised by the Secretary-General namely substance, methodology and confidence-building measures.

Asked about the other side’s reaction he replied that he did not wish to speak on their behalf, adding that Erhrman (the Turkish Cypriot leader) has spoken publicly and expressed his views.

”I have already commented on his interview; let us wait and see what happens tomorrow, and we will be here after the meeting to discuss it further,” he concluded.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose term nears its end, announced he would convene another meeting in broader format, after adequate preparation, but gave no timeline. He secured to that end the consensus of both sides and of the guarantor powers. María Angela Holguín, Guterres’ Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties. Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto acts as the European Commission’s Special Representative for Cyprus, succeeding EU special envoy Johannes Hahn.

The Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, through the Cyprus Trade Centre (CTC) in New York, represented the Republic of Cyprus at the international blockchain summit entitled ‘The Future of Money, Governance, and the Law 2026′, which took place from 29 September to 2 October in Washington and New York.

According to a statement, the summit was organised by the international non-profit organisation Government Blockchain Association and serves as a key meeting point in the United States of America, bringing together high-level policymakers, business leaders, investors and technology experts.

Discussions focused on the implications of artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and quantum computing for international governance and financial infrastructure, as well as on issues relating to the regulatory framework and digital assets.

It is added that during the conference, the CTC in New York operated an information stand, through which visitors were informed about Cyprus as a European business hub, its prospects in the fields of innovation and financial technology (FinTech), as well as its business and regulatory environment and the benefits arising from its participation in the European Union’s (EU) single market.

Meanwhile, Cyprus’ Commercial Counsellor in New York, Aristos Constantinou, took part in a round-table discussion at the Capitol, alongside US officials and industry figures, including Charles Hoskinson, co-founder of Ethereum and founder of Cardano, with the discussion focusing on issues of regulatory frameworks, digital sovereignty and cross-border innovation.

The session concluded on 2 October with a forum held at the United Nations headquarters in New York, where the impact of emerging technologies on financial systems was examined. Constantinou took part as a panellist alongside Michael Terpin, an entrepreneur and investor in the digital assets sector, and Anthony Howell, Director and Representative of the Government of Bermuda in Washington. The discussion, which focused on cross-border cooperation on the regulatory oversight of digital assets, was moderated by Heather Leigh Flannery, co-founder and Chair of the Board of Directors of Blockchain in Healthcare Global.

‘Cyprus’ participation in the summit is part of the Ministry’s of Commerce, Energy and Tourism efforts to strengthen the international outlook of Cypriot service providers and to promote Cyprus as an international business hub with growth prospects in the sectors of the digital economy and emerging technologies’, the statement concludes.

The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share Index closed at today`s stock exchange meeting as follows:

MEETING DATE: 20/10/2026

INDICES BASE VALUES: FTSEMed=5000, OTH

EURO (pound )

TRADED VALUE:

256,723.37

INDEX

VALUE

% DIFF.

VALUE (pound )

FTSE/CySE 20

181.910

-0.170

253,923.410

MAIN MARKET INDEX

240.090

-0.250

189,349.830

INVESTMENT COMPANIES MARKET INDEX

2,659.240

0.000

18,175.060

CSE GENERAL INDEX

309.560

-0.180

254,385.320

HOTELS INDEX

1,993.050

0.000

2,098.800

ALTERNATIVE MARKET INDEX

2,142.070

0.160

67,134.290

* The second column presents the percentage variation of the indices as compared to the last meeting.

President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides said that discussions on substance and methodology of the Cyprus issue during the upcoming visit of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Maria Angela Holguin, and the outcome of the EU’s efforts on the Cyprus problem would determine whether a meeting in a broader format under the UN Secretary-General would take place.

He was speaking on Tuesday after a one-to-one meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman in the UN-protected area of Nicosia International Airport. The meeting between the two leaders lasted approximately an hour and a half. Upon his return to the Presidential Palace, Christodoulides told journalists that it had been a ‘good meeting’, during most of which they discussed issues of substance and methodology.

‘There were many questions and many clarifications from both of us. This is a discussion that will continue during the visit of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy to Cyprus,’ he said. According to a UN press statement, Holguin is expected to arrive on the island on October 29.

‘Several bilateral meetings have already been scheduled,’ President Christodoulides said, noting that her visit would culminate in a joint meeting.

‘During these meetings with the Personal Envoy, issues of substance and methodology are expected to be the prevalent,’ he added.

Regarding Confidence-Building Measures, Christodoulides said some announcements had been made, referring to the UN statement mentioning initiatives related to the environment and the exchange of cultural artifacts.

‘Beyond that, I am also awaiting some responses from the Turkish Cypriot leader regarding certain proposals we submitted. He asked for more time to respond and requested some clarifications, which I provided. He promised to come back to me at our next meeting,’ he said.

Asked whether he was referring to the 19 proposals he had submitted, the President replied in the affirmative, noting that ‘some of the things we announced are included in the proposals put forward by our side. Some of the issues on which I am awaiting responses are among the 19 proposals. Some of these 19 proposals have been rejected,’ he said.

Asked whether there is any progress about opening new crossing points, the President said that ‘there is a specific proposal for which I am awaiting a response. I made two alternative proposals. One was rejected,’ he said, adding that further clarifications had been requested today on the second. He said the proposal was included among the 19 points he had submitted.

‘The Turkish Cypriot leader asked to come back to me at our next meeting, following the clarifications I provided,’ he added.

The President declined to provide further details about the crossing points covered by the proposals. ‘There is a reason why I have not made the 19 points public. At some point I will do so, so that the Cypriot people know. But since a dialogue is under way, I do not consider it right to do so at this stage. We are much more interested in substance than in communication,’ he said.

He also stressed that the proposal to open the Pyroi-Athienou crossing point ‘is a key prerequisite’.

Regarding the 19 proposals he had put forward, President Christodoulides said he was still awaiting responses on six or seven of them, while some had been rejected. This did not mean, he said, that they would not be put forward again, with further explanations.

As he recalled, the Technical Committee on Youth had been a proposal from his side from the outset of his term, when Rosemary DiCarlo visited Cyprus. ‘It took two years for it to be accepted. Some of the things announced today had been proposed some time ago. The fact that something is rejected does not mean it cannot be put back on the table,’ he said.

Asked what the environmental initiatives would involve, he said they concerned joint initiatives by the Technical Committee on the Environment and were ‘issues we had proposed’.

He added that joint meetings would also be held with the two Technical Committees on Youth and Cultural Heritage, as well as the Civil Society Consultative Body.

Regarding the initiative to exchange cultural artifacts, the President said it was a proposal that his side had made and discussed at the previous meeting.

‘The Turkish Cypriot leader asked for more time, but today he said there was a positive response to our proposal for an exchange of cultural heritage between the two communities. The relevant lists will be exchanged so that we can move forward,’ he said.

Asked whether the two sides were now closer to the goal of holding a meeting on a broader format under the UN Secretary-General following today’s meeting, the President said two factors would determine whether this goal was achieved. ‘One is the discussion of issues of substance and methodology, which will take place during Ms Holguin’s presence here in Cyprus, at both bilateral and trilateral level. The other is the outcome of the EU’s efforts. There is also a very important meeting taking place today,’ he said.

Asked whether he was referring to a meeting between Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and European Council President Antonio Costa, the President said: ‘I do not want to say anything, since the EU has not made an announcement.’ He noted, however, that he expected to be briefed today on the outcome of that meeting.

Regarding Holguin’s arrival in Cyprus, President Christodoulides said he would meet her ‘as many times as necessary’, noting that some meetings had already been scheduled. ‘If daily meetings become necessary, that will be my priority. Likewise, if Ms Holguin considers that we should meet jointly beforehand, I am ready to do so,’ he said.

The President declined to say whether he intended to ask Holguin to submit the convergences before negotiations begin. Asked about the matter, he said: ‘I prefer to do so first and then inform you,’ noting that the Greek Cypriot side’s position on the convergences was well known. ‘I will discuss it with Ms Holguin and we will state our position,’ he said.

He also pointed out that another one-to-one meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader would take place before the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy arrived in Cyprus, probably next Tuesday.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose term nears its end, announced he would convene another meeting in broader format, after adequate preparation, but gave no timeline. He secured to that end the consensus of both sides and of the guarantor powers. María Angela Holguín, Guterres’ Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties. Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto acts as the European Commission’s Special Representative for Cyprus, succeeding EU special envoy Johannes Hahn.

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (C)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1800 20/10/2026 UNTIL 1800 21/10/2026

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1020hPa (hectopascal)

Weak high pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine but at times increased cloud will be present.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 25°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA PERIOD WIND STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Night Northwest to Northeast 3 to 4 Slight

Morning Northwest to North 3 to 4, at times locally 4 Slight

Afternoon Northwest 4, at times locally 4 to 5 Slight

South Coast

Night Northwest to North 3 to 4 Slight

Morning North to Northeast 3 to 4, at times locally 4 Slight

Afternoon North to Northeast 3 to 4, at times locally 4 Slight

East Coast

Night Northwest 3 to 4 Slight

Morning North to Northeast 3 to 4, at times locally 4 Slight

Afternoon Northeast 4, at times locally 4 to 5 Slight

North Coast

Night Northwest to North 3 Smooth to Slight

Morning Northwest to Northeast 3 to 4 Slight

Afternoon Northwest to North 3 to 4 Slight

Press release

20-10-2026

Plenary session TRAN

MEPs endorse better enforcement of passenger rights in the EU

Clearer rules for plane tickets purchased through intermediaries

Common EU form for claiming reimbursement and compensation

Better protection for vulnerable travellers

EU passenger rights cover around 13 billion journeys annually

On Tuesday, Parliament gave its final green light to updated EU rules to improve the protection and information passengers receive if their travel is disrupted.

The regulation, which will strengthen the protection of passenger rights across all modes of transport, was adopted with 652 votes in favour, two against and eight abstentions.

Reimbursement by air travel intermediaries

The adopted text clarifies the rules on reimbursement in the case of cancellations when flights are booked via an intermediary, such as travel agents or online booking platforms. Passengers are entitled to receive full reimbursement, including of any intermediation fee, within 14 days (the air carrier must transfer the payment to the intermediary within a maximum of seven days, and the intermediary must transfer it to the passenger within a further seven days). Intermediaries must inform passengers at the time of booking about the applicable reimbursement arrangements.

Common EU form

Passengers will be able to submit claims using standardised forms for reimbursement and compensation, or any equivalent form provided by the carrier. The common forms will be made available on the Commission’s website, in all languages and for all types of travel.

Improved rights for vulnerable passengers

The new rules also strengthen the rights of persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility by allowing an accompanying person to travel with them on a flight free of charge if their presence is necessary, as is already the case for travel by bus, train or ship.

More power for national enforcement and complaint-handling bodies

National authorities are granted enhanced powers for investigating possible breaches of passenger rights. They will be able to proactively initiate audits, inspections or interviews of carriers, not only after receiving passenger complaints.

Quote

Rapporteur Matteo Ricci (S and D, IT) said: ‘Travelling is part of our lives. Whether we catch a train to work, a bus for a trip, a plane to return home, or a ferry for holiday, we all share these journeys as passengers. This legislation will improve the protection these travellers receive. National authorities will help make sure companies fulfil their responsibilities without court action. Passengers who buy tickets through intermediaries will keep their rights, and support for individuals with reduced mobility will be improved. We are prioritising the rights of our citizens over the profits of airlines.’

Next steps

The updated rules need still need to be formally approved by the Council, before their publication in the EU Official Journal. They will apply from 23 October 2027 (at the same time as the air passenger rights regulation).

Background

In 2023, the Commission presented an update of the EU rules governing the rights of passengers when travelling by air, rail, sea, inland waterway, bus or coach, as part of the passenger mobility package. Parliament adopted a specific upgrade of air passenger rights earlier in 2026.

Around 13 billion passengers who travel by airplane, train, coach, bus or ferry in the EU every year are covered by EU passenger rights. This figure is expected to reach 15 billion by 2030 and almost 20 billion by 2050.