Consumer returns and warranty in Finland (2026)
Last reviewed: 7 November 2026
In short: In Finland consumers can cancel home and distance purchases within 14 days. A shop purchase can be returned only if the business has voluntarily granted that right. A defect that appears within one year is presumed to have existed at delivery.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Right to cancel online purchasesReturning a purchase | A consumer can cancel a home or distance sales contract by notifying the trader, using the withdrawal form or another clear statement, at the latest 14 days after receiving the goods (or the last delivery, or the first delivery for regular deliveries). If the trader did not give the required information, the period ends 12 months after that time. [1] |
| Returns from shopsReturning a purchase | A shop purchase can be exchanged or returned only if the business has voluntarily granted a right of exchange or return, and it sets the terms. The statutory 14-day cancellation right applies only to home and distance sales. [2] |
| Legal guarantee for defectsReturning a purchase | The seller is liable for a defect that existed at delivery even if it shows later. The buyer must report the defect within a reasonable time of finding it; a report within two months is always in time. The seller's liability does not end with a guarantee and lasts for the expected lifetime of the goods, according to the Competition and Consumer Authority. [1] |
| Burden of proofReturning a purchase | A defect that appears within one year of delivery is presumed to have existed at delivery, unless the contrary is shown or the presumption is against the nature of the goods or the defect. [1] |
| Goods excluded from cancellingReturning a purchase | No right to cancel (unless agreed otherwise) for: completed services after the consumer's request and acceptance; financial-market-priced goods; goods made to the consumer's requirements or clearly personal; goods that spoil or age quickly or are inseparably mixed with other goods; sealed goods unsuitable for return for health or hygiene reasons once opened; alcohol priced now but deliverable after 30 days with a market-dependent value; urgent repair or maintenance visits the consumer requested; sealed audio, video or software once opened; single newspapers and magazines; auctions the consumer can attend in person; accommodation (other than for living), goods transport, car rental, restaurant or leisure services for a set time; and digital content whose electronic supply has begun with the consumer's consent. [1] |
Notes
- Online traders must also offer a withdrawal function in the online interface that lets the consumer cancel easily (Kuluttajansuojalaki 6 luku 14 a §).
Sources
- Finlex (Oikeusministeriö), open data: Kuluttajansuojalaki 38/1978 (ajantasainen, konsolidoitu 4.9.2026) (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
- Kilpailu- ja kuluttajavirasto (KKV): Vaihto- ja palautusoikeus - KKV (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.