The Spanish Supreme Court Timeshare

On 16 March 2015, a ruling of the Spanish Supreme Court entered into force, following the European Directive (implemented in Spain by Real Decreto – ley 8/2012).

This Directive covered timeshare, long-term holiday products, resale and exchange products and has set a dramatic precedent that has brought about major changes in the timeshare industry.

On 29 March 2012, the Spanish Parliament validated the Real Decreto-Ley 8/2012, modifying the Timeshare Directive, which was subsequently submitted to the European Commission. All EU Member States have subsequently incorporated the Directive into their national legislation.

The Timeshare Directive, which replaces an older Directive dating from 1994 (Directive 1994/47 / EC), was designed to provide consumers with important protection against unwanted timeshare contracts and contracts for similar holiday products, which often involve significant financial risks for consumers.

In particular, it has extended consumer protection to additional holiday products such as, for example, timeshare contracts for a period of less than three years, timeshare resale contracts, timeshare exchange programmes and long-term holiday products.