Section 4 PRG: information required before package travel

Before a traveller is bound by a package travel contract, the organiser must provide information about the essential travel services, the provider, the total price and payment terms. Section 4 of the Austrian Package Travel Act (Pauschalreisegesetz, PRG) also covers minimum participant numbers, travel formalities, specified withdrawal information and insurance, together with the appropriate standard information form.

The duty applies before contract formation. Whether an arrangement is package travel depends on the services offered and the booking flow under section 2 PRG. The overview of package travel and tour operators explains the basic classification. The article on linked booking flows helps with bookings involving several connected steps.

The organiser must give the information required by section 4(1) PRG before the traveller becomes bound by a package travel contract. The provision sets no number of days before departure. The relevant point is when the traveller makes a binding declaration to enter the package travel contract.

If the package travel is contractually promised through a travel agent, the agent must provide the required information as well. Whether an offer is package travel depends on the services and the way they are booked. The product label alone does not decide the issue. Contract terms and questions about later travel performance are governed by separate provisions.

The offer must describe the essential features of the included travel services. This covers the destination, itinerary, travel dates and duration, including the number of overnight stays. For transport, the information includes the means and class of transport, departure and return places, dates and times, stopovers and connections. Approximate departure and return times may be given if exact times are not yet known.

For accommodation, the offer must state its location and main features, along with any tourist classification under the rules of the destination country. Meals, visits, excursions and other services included in the total price also belong in the description.

If it is not clear from the overall offer, the information must say whether the services are provided for a group and, if possible, give its approximate size. The language of services must be stated where effective spoken communication is relevant. The offer must also describe general suitability for persons with reduced mobility. On request, the traveller can obtain more precise information in light of individual needs. These categories appear in section 4(1)(1)(a) to (h) PRG.

The organiser must provide its business name, address and telephone number and, where applicable, an email address. If the package travel is contractually promised through a travel agent, the agent must also provide its business name, address and telephone number and, where applicable, an email address. This helps the traveller identify whom to contact about the booking.

The offer must state the total price, including taxes and any additional fees, charges and other costs that are known before the contract. If a cost cannot yet be calculated, the type of cost must be identified. A general statement that extra costs may arise does not explain what kind of cost remains open.

Payment terms must cover the required amount or percentage of any deposit, the schedule for the remaining balance and any financial security the traveller must provide.

If a minimum number of participants is required, the traveller must be told that number and the withdrawal period referred to in section 10(3)(1)(a) PRG. The other required information includes general passport and visa requirements for the destination, the approximate time needed to obtain a visa and health formalities. The documents required by an authority in an individual case depend on the destination and the traveller. A separate article explains the narrower case of missing visa information in the package travel form.

Before the contract is formed, travellers must also be told whether they may terminate before departure at any time on payment of reasonable compensation or an agreed flat-rate termination fee. This is a required disclosure. Section 4 does not create a general 14-day cost-free cancellation period.

The offer must say whether travel cancellation insurance is compulsory or optional, or whether insurance covers assistance, including repatriation, in the event of accident, illness or death. This is an information duty about cover, not a decision on a particular insurance claim.

The appropriate standard information form under Annex I Part A or Part B PRG must be provided for package travel. The form summarises the basic rights under package travel law. The individual information required by section 4(1) remains relevant as well.

For a contract concluded by telephone, section 4(2) specifies the standard information form in Annex I Part B. The organiser and, where applicable, the travel agent must also provide the relevant information and appropriate standard form under section 4(1). A separate rule applies to the special online case in section 2(2)(1)(b)(ee) PRG: both the organiser and the business receiving the data must provide the information under section 4(1), items 1 to 8, for the travel services each offers. The organiser also provides the form in Annex I Part C.

All information must be clear, understandable and prominent. If it is given in writing, it must be legible. Before a binding declaration, the booking process should make clear which services are included, what price the traveller will pay and which conditions apply.

Compare the description with the actual offer. Destination, dates, duration, accommodation, transport and included services should fit together. Check whether general statements are supplemented with specific details if use of a service depends on language or mobility.

Read the total price with its fees and cost categories. Check the deposit amount, balance due date, any minimum participant number and the related deadline. Passport and visa information, health formalities and insurance details should also be easy to find.

Save the standard information form and the offer page as they appeared before your declaration. If a detail that matters to the trip is missing or unclear, ask a specific question in writing before making a binding booking.

Under section 4(5) PRG, the organiser and, where applicable, the travel agent bear the burden of proving that the information duty was met. The booking documents should therefore show what information was available to the traveller.

For your own records, save the standard form, the offer page, price details and payment schedule together. Note when the information was accessible and which version appeared before your binding declaration. This evidence concerns disclosure under section 4 PRG. Questions about the later effects of a contract require a separate assessment.

Directive (EU) 2026/1024 sets a deadline for national rules on package travel. Member States must adopt and publish the required measures by 29 September 2028. They must apply those measures from 29 March 2029.

Section 4 PRG sets out the information duties described above. For bookings around 29 March 2029, travellers should check the Austrian rules then in force.