Are there strikes in Europe this week?

The calendar at the top of this page answers that from official sources: Italy’s Ministry of Transport strike register, Belgian national rail notices and Transport for London. It covers flights and airports, trains, city transport and ferries for the next 14 days, and refreshes itself.

It depends on whose staff walk out. Under EU261 and UK261, a strike by the airline’s own pilots or cabin crew is not an extraordinary circumstance, so you can claim €250 to €600 on top of a refund or rerouting. Strikes by air traffic controllers, airport security or other outside staff are extraordinary, so there is no compensation, but the airline must still offer a refund or rerouting and look after you with meals and a hotel while you wait.

Across the EU, rail passenger rules give you a refund or rerouting when your train is cancelled, and many operators let you travel on a different day without paying more. Italy guarantees a minimum service on long-distance trains during strikes, and Belgian rail runs a reduced alternative timetable you can check the day before.

There are not necessarily more strikes in Italy, but they are easier to see. Italian law makes unions announce transport strikes at least 10 days ahead and the Ministry of Transport publishes every one, down to a single bus company in one city. Most entries are local and short, often four hours, and essential services must still run at fixed times.

It reads official feeds for Italy (every transport sector), Belgium (national rail) and London (the Tube, Elizabeth line, DLR and Overground). France, Spain, Portugal, Germany and the rest of the UK do not publish a machine-readable strike list, so check your airline or rail operator there; we add major strikes in those countries when they are announced.