European Consumer Centre

The  European Consumer Centre Ireland  (ECC Ireland) offers information, advice and assistance to consumers when buying goods or services in another European country. We can also liaise directly with a trader in another European country on your behalf. Should you have a consumer problem we are here to help.

The goal of ECC Ireland is to ensure that consumers feel confident that they can shop from anywhere in the EU, from corner-shop to website, knowing that they are equally effectively protected by European consumer legislation.

We are funded by the Irish Government, through the  National Consumer Agency , and the European Commission, through its  Directorate General for Health and Consumers . We are part of a network of 29 centres present throughout the European Union, and in Norway and Iceland, which means that wherever you may have problems in Europe we are able to help.

Some of the issues we deal with include:

Air Travel

Sometimes things go wrong when we fly. If your flight is delayed or cancelled or your luggage is lost or damaged, you have rights. Click here to find out more about how we can help with your  air passenger rights .

Buying Goods and Services

Under the Sale of Goods and Associated Guarantees Directive 99/44/EC consumer goods must be ‘in conformity with the contract of sale’ i.e. you should get what you paid for. Find out more about  buying goods and services abroad here.

Shopping Online

Shopping online offers great choice, value and convenience. If you buy something online, you are covered by consumer legislation just as if you buy it in person. Find out more about safe online shopping here .

Buying a Car

Buying a car is not only associated with a single lump sum payment for the vehicle but it involves further long-term expenses such as insurance, NCT, road tax, servicing, repairs, spare parts, fuel and payment of VRT and VAT, even if your car is imported. Consumers should therefore be cautious to avoid unnecessary complications afterwards. For more information about buying a car see here .

Services Directive 

The Directive on Services in the Internal Market (“Services Directive”) was transposed into Irish law in November 2010 and seeks to facilitate the provision of services across Europe and increase consumers’ confidence when availing of services offered by businesses  from anywhere within the EU .

Interested in finding out more? Then see our  website .

You can also subscribe to our monthly  eBulletin  which helps you to keep up to date with consumer issues.

ECC Ireland providing information and support to consumers across Europe.