Frequently Asked Questions

The function of apf is to assist passengers of ship companies which offer transport services in Austria in asserting their rights without going to court. apf sees itself as an independent broker between the ship companies and their customers.

Information on passenger rights for train, bus, ship and flight are also avaiable on the YOUR EUROPE portal.

Arbitration is a modern approach to conflict resolution that seeks to settle disputes without using the public court system. When there is a dispute that a passenger and a ship company cannot resolve themselves, the apf reviews the case and proposes an individual solution that will be acceptable to both sides.

The arbitration procedure is free for the complainant. Should costs be incurred during the procedure caused by the complainant himself/herself such as postage and stationery costs, any eventual attorneys’ fees, etc., then they must be borne by the complainant.

The apf does not process any complaints

• that do not relate to carriage of passengers.
• which were not first submitted to the company in question for resolution of the problem.
• if it is not a matter of a ship trip from, to or within Austria or if the company concerned is not based in Austria.
• submitted to apf later than two years after the date they were submitted to the company.
• for claims, purported violations or purported illegal regulations pending in a court or administrative court or that have been definitively decided or arbitrated.
• which have already been dealt with in an arbitration procedure.
• for which another arbitration board for alternative dispute resolution has jurisdiction.
• relating to disputes which are frivolous or vexatious.
• whose processing could seriously impair apf’s efficient operation, such as because extensive taking of evidence would be required or because they concern unusually complex legal issues.

1. Please provide us with all information and documentation in writing. Use the complaint form from the website www.apf.gv.at for this purpose. If you do not have the possibility of attaching all documentation electronically then you can send them by post or fax. We need the following things from you: name, address, telephone number, where applicable fax number, where applicable email address.
2. A complete written exposition of the facts in the case. Please describe what, exactly, happened.
3. The written complaint which you already sent to the ship company.
4. All documents which may be of assistance in clarifying your complaint (such as contact of carriage, student, apprentice or vocational school identification, free-travel beneficiary identification, discount card, penalty payment or extra fare charge, collection notice, taxi or hotel bills, etc.).
5. The complete correspondence that has passed between you and the company.
6. Your current claim against the company. What are we supposed to achieve for you?
7. With submission of the complaint, the complainants acknowledge the apf procedure guidelines and confirm that all information given is truthful. Upon request, apf will send the procedure guidelines by email or post.

As soon as it receives your complaint, the apf will check to see if the complaint falls within its authority and fulfils the criteria for an arbitration procedure. If for any reason an arbitration procedure is not possible, you will be informed.

If an arbitration procedure is opened, the apf will request the company in question to submit its own written statement of the facts.

If it seems appropriate, the apf may invite one or all of the parties concerned to a meeting in their business premises. You can, however, decline to take part in such a meeting if you prefer.

Should no arbitration procedure be possible, we will as a matter of course notify you of the reasons for this rejection and be happy to inform you where you should turn instead.

For the precise steps in the procedure please see our procedure guidelines.

In order to have your complaint processed, apf needs all necessary information from you in written form. You will find a listing of all documents under the item: What does apf need from me in order to take action?

In the course of the arbitration procedure, both you and the company are obliged to cooperate in the procedure and to provide apf with all information required to assess the factual circumstances. False and/or incomplete information may lead to termination of the arbitration procedure.

Having other institutions and organisations deal with the case during the ongoing procedure should be avoided, except in justified cases.

Yes, at any stage of the procedure you can, at your own expense, authorise a lawyer or other trusted person to represent you.

On demand, proof of the right to represent you (by means of a proxy statement) must be provided.

apf works out a solution which in most cases leads to resolution and thus termination of the dispute. The solution recommended by apf may be different from the results of judicial proceedings. Acceptance of the solution is not mandatory.

If the arbitration procedure does not lead to any agreement, it is then terminated.

If both parties agree to the apf's proposed solution, they effectively accept it as an out-of-court settlement. If one of the parties does not agree, the solution is not considered binding. The parties can then assert their claims through the court system. In such cases, the solution proposed by the apf is considered merely a recommendation.

Submission of the complaint and the duration of the arbitration procedure interrupt the running of the statute of limitations (deadlines only begin to run again after the conclusion of the procedure). That means that if no consensus is reached in the arbitration procedure you may assert your claims in the courts with jurisdiction over them.

Preferably by using our arbitration form on the Website.

You will receive a confirmation by email that we have received your complaint. Should you not receive any further communication from us within two weeks, we request that you contact us again. Where deadlines must be met, please contact us even sooner, if needed.

Should electronic transmission not be possible for you, you may also send us your arbitration-request by post.

By Post:
Agency for Passenger Rights
Ship department
Linke Wienzeile 4/1/6
A-1060 Wien

We are reachable during office hours at the telephone number +43 1 5050707 730. We can give you certain information by telephone and advise you in matters of complaint. However, a complaint must always be submitted to us in writing since an arbitration procedure can only be initiated in that way.