Temu, Shein & AliExpress: the EU's €3 duty and new €2 fee explained
Since 1 November 2026 a €2 EU handling fee sits on top of the €3 duty on cheap non-EU parcels. What it costs you this Christmas and how to check.
Practical Europe
Europe's news, made practical.
New rules, travel changes, prices and rights — explained in plain English, with what it means for you and what to do next.
Buy now, pay later: new EU credit rules from 20 November
From 20 November 2026, most buy-now-pay-later and small loans fall under EU credit law: credit checks, a 14-day exit and clearer costs. What changes for you.
Spain is pulling olive oil off the market: what it means for prices
Spain has ordered mills to store 12% of this season's olive oil to stop prices falling further. What it means for the bottle on your supermarket shelf.
Black Friday 2026: how to spot a fake discount under EU rules
EU law says a discount must be measured against the shop's lowest price in the last 30 days. Here's how to check a Black Friday deal in two minutes.
Fuel prices in Europe: where petrol and diesel are cheapest this winter
Oil has dropped sharply, but pump prices are slow to follow. See the cheapest and most expensive EU countries for petrol and diesel, and when a border trip pays off.
New EU flight rights from October 2027: what changes for delays, refunds and families
The first rewrite of EU261 since 2004 keeps €250–€600 compensation but adds a claim deadline, a no-show ban and free seats next to children. Here's what it means for you.
ETIAS in November 2026: still not open — what visitors to Europe need to know
The EU's €20 travel authorisation still has no start date. Here's who will need it, what it costs, and why you shouldn't pay anyone for it yet.
No more passport stamps: how Europe's Entry/Exit System tracks your 90/180 days
Since April 2026, EES records every non-EU visitor's entries and exits digitally. Here's what happens at the border and how to avoid an accidental overstay.
Cabin bag fees in Europe: what's free now, and what changes in 2027
Low-cost airlines and now Lufthansa charge for cabin trolleys on their cheapest fares. Here's what you can bring for free today, and what the new EU rules change from October 2027.