July 2, 2025, 11:40 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Italy has just experienced a massive wave of strikes. Now, the country faces new labor disputes—right in the middle of the vacation season. The transport sector is particularly affected. Strikes are also occurring in France, another popular vacation destination. TRAVELBOOK has compiled all the essential information for you.
In June, numerous trains in Italy were canceled and flights were annulled due to strikes. Several unions in the country had called for the work stoppages. The background included demands for contract extensions and more investments in public sectors. New month–new strikes! Travelers should also prepare for significant disruptions in Italian transportation in July.
Overview
Strikes in Italy–What Travelers Should Know
According to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, strikes in the transportation sector are planned in Italy in July, particularly in the first half of the month. TRAVELBOOK provides detailed information on this.
A nationwide rail strike is scheduled for July 7 and 8, affecting long-distance, regional, and freight traffic. In many cities, public transportation will also be on strike, such as in Rome, Pisa, Palermo, Cagliari, and smaller cities (e.g., Savona, Campobasso, or Monza). Some strikes will last four hours, while others are set for a full 24 hours. The all-day strike on July 5 in Sardinia is expected to be particularly severe, as it affects all four provinces of the island.
To get information about the situation at a specific vacation spot, you can enter “sciopero” (Italian for “strike”) and the relevant location in an online search engine. Both RFI, responsible for Italy’s rail infrastructure, and the state railway company Trenitalia provide updates.
Strikes in Air Traffic on July 10 and 26
Nationwide strikes in air traffic are announced for July 10. Travelers should expect cancellations and be prepared for significant delays on this day. At airports in Milan, Naples, Cagliari, and Venice, ground staff, security services, and airline employees (such as EasyJet) will walk off the job. EasyJet’s cabin crew is also expected to participate. Upon inquiry, TRAVELBOOK learns from the airline that negotiations are still ongoing. “If the strike occurs, we will do everything possible to minimize the impact on our customers,” a spokesperson explains.
The next air traffic strike is scheduled for July 26.
A Look at France, Strikes in Spain Averted
As Reuters reports, air traffic controllers in France will strike on July 3 and 4. The aviation authority is calling for a reduction in flights by up to 50 percent. “Despite these preventive measures, disruptions and significant delays are expected at all French airports,” warns the news agency. It recommends considering alternative modes of transportation.
For travelers to Spain, there is largely an all-clear. You may have heard about numerous strike announcements in the hospitality industry, especially in the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Ibiza, and Menorca) and Tenerife. However, the acute strikes have mostly been averted, as reported by “Teneriffa-News.”
Rights of Travelers Affected by Strikes
Whether and to what extent you receive compensation for strikes in air traffic depends on their nature. TRAVELBOOK has compiled detailed information for you here. In the event of an airline staff strike, passengers are often entitled to compensation under EU passenger rights (Regulation 261/2004). Depending on the flight route and delay, this can be up to 600 euros. In the case of strikes by third parties, such as air traffic control or airport staff, “extraordinary circumstances” apply. In this case, the airline is not required to pay compensation. However, it is obliged to provide care and meals (food and drink), as well as hotel accommodation if necessary. You will also be rebooked or receive a refund for the flight price.
Strikes in local public transport, as expected in Italy, are particularly annoying for travelers. On the affected days, it is hardly possible to get from A to B by bus. Tip: Check if transportation is covered during core times (e.g., early morning or evening). Then you might be able to travel from your accommodation to the beach or town early in the morning. Otherwise, you may have to undertake long walks. If the hotel or vacation rental is very remote, a strike in local transport may mean you have to spend the day there.
As is often the case, those who have booked a package tour are in the best position in the event of strikes. In this case, the tour operator is responsible for organizing replacement flights, alternative transfers, and refunds for unused services.
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Are Strikes at the Vacation Spot a Reason for Cancellation?
If at least the flight to the vacation destination went as planned, strikes in local public transport can still affect the stay–as described above. However, they are not automatically a reason for cancellation. Travel law expert Jan Bartholl explains to TRAVELBOOK, “Of course, you can always cancel a trip,” he says. But whether this is possible free of charge depends on certain conditions–even with a package tour.
Bartholl refers to § 651h BGB. A free cancellation is possible if there are significant disruptions or intolerable circumstances at the vacation spot due to the strike. Whether this is actually the case can be examined on a case-by-case basis. A short-term, locally limited strike in public transport–such as buses or trams–is usually not sufficient to justify a free cancellation. It could be different if large-scale, long-lasting disruptions significantly affect the trip–for example, if entire regions are no longer accessible for days or only with significant detours. Travelers should therefore always contact the tour operator.