Holiday Clubs

What are my consumer rights for a holiday club contract?

Do you want to know more about your consumer rights when entering a holiday club contract? You can find the answers to your essential questions on this page.

EU Directive 2008/122/EC

If you conclude a long-term holiday product contract with a duration of more than one year, you are covered by the EU Timeshare Directive. 

Holiday club contracts

    If you enter into a holiday club contract, you pay a certain sum — and in return, you receive the right to discounts or other benefits in relation to a holiday accommodation. For example, if you become a holiday club member, you can book your accommodation at lower prices.

  • The seller must provide you with information using one of the standard forms of the European Regulation. You should be given the following information, among other things:

    • The seller’s identity and address
    • An exact description of the right included in your  timeshare or holiday club purchase
    • An exact description of the period during which this right applies
    • The duration of the agreement
    • The costs, including any additional mandatory costs such as annual fees and special charges
    • An overview of the services and facilities you can use

    You must receive this information and the agreement in writing, in your own language, and free of charge.

    #required-information-holiday-club-contract

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  • You have a legal 14-day cooling-off period after entering into a holiday club contract. That means you can terminate the contract without having to provide a reason.

    When entering into the contract, the seller must provide you with a standard form which you can use to withdraw from the contract. You can cancel your contract in writing. You must submit the form to the seller within the cooling-off period. We recommended that you do so via registered mail.

    #cancelling-a-long-term-holiday-club-contract

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  • If you did not receive the standard withdrawal form, your cooling-off period is extended to 1 year and 14 calendar days. If you did not receive the standard information form, your cooling-off period is extended to 3 months and 14 calendar days.

    Please note: these rules only apply to agreements closed on or after 23 February 2011. If you entered into an agreement before this time, please contact your local ECC for more information.

    #holiday-club-contract-information-not-provided

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  • Resale contracts are concluded between a consumer and a trader. If their duration exceeds one year, such contracts fall under the EU Timeshare Directive. If you pay a certain amount of money, the trader will assist you, the holder of a resale contract, in buying or selling a timeshare or long-term holiday product.

    #resale-contract-holder

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  • Unfortunately, there are many impostors in the industry who use resale for their own purposes. Since there is hardly a market for ‘used’ timeshares or ‘used’ long-term holiday products, consumers often sign up for sales exchanges on the internet or advertise in daily newspapers, thus attracting dubious sellers.

    #dubious-sellers-resale-contracts

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Where can I get assistance and advice?

The European Consumer Centres Network provides free legal advice and support on cross-border purchasing issues. It can also help consumers deal with disputes relating to travelling in the EU, Norway, and Iceland. If you have tried to resolve a dispute with a business to no avail, click here to contact your local ECC and submit an enquiry.

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