Consumer returns and warranty by country
Last reviewed: 7 November 2026
Consumer returns and warranty compared across countries: right to cancel online purchases, returns from shops, legal guarantee for defects, burden of proof, goods excluded from cancelling. Pick a country for the full list of rules, each with its official source.
| Country | Right to cancel online purchases | Returns from shops | Legal guarantee for defects | Burden of proof | Goods excluded from cancelling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 14 days, no reason needed | No legal right; goodwill only | 2 years from delivery | Seller must disprove in first year | Custom, perishable, unsealed hygiene goods |
| Netherlands | 14 days, no reason needed | No legal right; seller decides | Notify within 2 months; no fixed term | Defect within 1 year presumed | Made-to-order, perishable, unsealed hygiene/media |
| United Kingdom | 14 days, no reason needed | No legal right if you changed your mind | 30-day reject; claim up to 6 years | Fault in first 6 months presumed | Made-to-order, perishable, unsealed hygiene/media |
| France | 14 calendar days from receipt of the goods | ⚠ Not yet verified | 2 years from delivery | Presumed defective: 24 months new, 12 months used | Personalised, perishable, opened sealed or digital goods |
| Spain | 14 calendar days from receiving the goods | Only where the law or the seller's offer grants it | 3 years from delivery (second-hand: not under 1 year) | Presumed defective for 2 years from delivery | Personalised, perishable, opened sealed or digital goods |
| Italy | 14 days from taking possession of the goods | ⚠ Not yet verified | 2 years from delivery (used goods: not under 1 year) | Presumed defective for 1 year from delivery | Personalised, perishable, opened sealed or digital goods |
| Ireland | 14 days, no reason needed | No legal right; seller's policy applies | 6 years for remedies; 30-day refund | Fault in first 12 months presumed | Made-to-order, perishable, unsealed hygiene/media |
| Poland | 14 days (30 for unsolicited visits) | No legal right; seller's choice | 2 years from delivery | ⚠ Not yet verified | Custom, perishable, opened hygiene goods |
| Portugal | 14 days from taking possession of the goods | ⚠ Not yet verified | 3 years from delivery (used goods: 18 months if agreed) | Presumed defective for 2 years from delivery | Personalised, perishable, opened sealed or digital goods |
| Belgium | 14 calendar days, no reason needed | No legal right; seller decides | 2 years; report within 2 months | Seller proves for full 2 years | Made-to-order, perishable, unsealed hygiene/media |
| Sweden | 14 days from the day after receipt | No legal right in shops | 3 years (complain within 2 months) | 2-year presumption (animals 6 months) | Travel, made-to-order, perishable goods |
| Austria | 14 days, no reason needed | No legal right; only if agreed | 2 years from handover | 1-year presumption | Custom, perishable, unsealed hygiene goods |
| Greece | 14 calendar days from taking possession of the goods | ⚠ Not yet verified | Rights expire after 2 years (movable goods) | Presumed defective for 1 year from delivery | Personalised, perishable, opened sealed goods; auctions |
| Denmark | 14 days, no reason needed | No legal right in physical shops | 2 years; notify within 2 months | Defect within 1 year presumed | Made-to-order, perishable, unsealed hygiene/media |
| Czechia | 14 days from delivery | No legal right; trader's choice | 2 years from takeover | 1-year presumption | Custom, perishable, opened hygiene goods |
| Hungary | 14 days from receipt | No legal duty; voluntary | ⚠ Not yet verified | 1-year presumption | Custom, perishable, opened hygiene goods |
| Finland | 14 days, no reason needed | No legal right; voluntary only | Notify within 2 months; liable for expected lifetime | Defect within 1 year presumed | Made-to-order, perishable, unsealed hygiene/media |
| Norway | Two weeks, no reason needed | No legal right; shop's rules apply | 2 years; 5 years for long-lasting goods | First 2 years: seller must prove | Made-to-order, perishable, unsealed media |
| Romania | 14 days from receiving the goods | ⚠ Not yet verified | 2 years from delivery (second-hand: not under 1 year) | Presumed defective for 1 year from delivery | Personalised, perishable, opened sealed or digital goods |
| Turkey | 14 days, no reason needed | ⚠ Not yet verified | 2 years from delivery | 6 months presumption | Perishable, made-to-order, opened sealed goods and more |
How to read the comparison
The table compares these points:
- Right to cancel online purchases
- Returns from shops
- Legal guarantee for defects
- Burden of proof
- Goods excluded from cancelling
Before you rely on it
These are national rules. Regions, cities, employers and venues can add their own, and the law changes. A rule marked “to verify” has not yet been confirmed against an official source. Each country page links to the official sources, and those are the place to confirm the details.
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.