Consumer returns and warranty in Austria (2026)
Last reviewed: 7 November 2026
In short: In Austria consumers can withdraw from distance and off-premises contracts within 14 days (§ 11 FAGG). There is no statutory right to exchange a shop purchase. The legal guarantee runs for two years and a defect that shows within one year is presumed to have existed at handover.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Right to cancel online purchasesReturning a purchase | Consumers can withdraw from distance contracts and off-premises contracts within 14 days without giving a reason. For the purchase of goods the period starts on the day the consumer, or a third party named by the consumer who is not the carrier, takes possession of the goods. [1] |
| Returns from shopsReturning a purchase | There is no statutory right of exchange for shop purchases. Goods can be exchanged only if this is agreed in the contract, for example by a note on the receipt. [2] |
| Legal guarantee for defectsReturning a purchase | The seller is liable for every defect that existed at handover and shows within two years of handover. For used goods the period can be shortened to one year by an individually negotiated agreement. [3] |
| Burden of proofReturning a purchase | A defect that shows within one year of handover is presumed to have existed at handover, unless this does not fit the nature of the goods or the defect. [4] |
| Goods excluded from cancellingReturning a purchase | No right of withdrawal applies, among others, to goods made to the consumer's specification, goods that spoil quickly, sealed goods unsuitable for return for health or hygiene reasons once unsealed, sealed recordings or software once unsealed, newspapers and magazines (except subscriptions), goods mixed inseparably with others, digital content once performance has begun with the consumer's consent, and goods bought at a public auction. [5] |
Sources
- Bundeskanzleramt, Rechtsinformationssystem des Bundes (RIS): Fern- und Auswärtsgeschäfte-Gesetz § 11 - Bundesrecht konsolidiert, tagesaktuelle Fassung (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
- Sozialministerium - Konsumentenschutz (konsumentenfragen.at): Umtausch (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
- Bundeskanzleramt, Rechtsinformationssystem des Bundes (RIS): Verbrauchergewährleistungsgesetz § 10 - Bundesrecht konsolidiert, tagesaktuelle Fassung (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
- Bundeskanzleramt, Rechtsinformationssystem des Bundes (RIS): Verbrauchergewährleistungsgesetz § 11 - Bundesrecht konsolidiert, tagesaktuelle Fassung (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
- Bundeskanzleramt, Rechtsinformationssystem des Bundes (RIS): Fern- und Auswärtsgeschäfte-Gesetz § 18 - Bundesrecht konsolidiert, tagesaktuelle Fassung (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.