Consumer returns and warranty in Germany (2026)

Last reviewed: 7 November 2026

In short: In Germany consumers can cancel distance and off-premises contracts within 14 days (§ 355 BGB). There is no statutory right to return a shop purchase. Defect claims are time-barred after two years, and a defect that shows within one year is presumed to have existed at delivery.

RuleWhat applies
Right to cancel online purchasesReturning a purchaseConsumers can cancel distance and off-premises contracts within 14 days without giving a reason. For goods the period normally starts when the consumer receives them. If the seller did not give the required information, the right ends at the latest 12 months and 14 days after the period would have started. [1]
Returns from shopsReturning a purchaseThere is no statutory right to cancel a purchase made in a shop. If a shop takes goods back, it does so as a goodwill gesture (Kulanz). [2]
Legal guarantee for defectsReturning a purchaseClaims for defects in goods are time-barred after two years, counted from delivery of the goods. A longer period of five years applies to buildings and to items used for a building that caused its defect. [3]
Burden of proofReturning a purchaseIf a defect shows within one year of the transfer of risk, the goods are presumed to have been defective at that time, unless this does not fit the nature of the goods or the defect. For live animals the period is six months. [4]
Goods excluded from cancellingReturning a purchaseNo right to cancel applies, among others, to made-to-order goods, 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, and some time-fixed services such as accommodation and car rental. [5]

Sources

  1. Bundesamt für Justiz / Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de): § 355 BGB - Einzelnorm: Widerrufsrecht bei Verbraucherverträgen (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  2. Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz (BMJV): BMJV - Homepage - Fragen und Antworten zum Thema Rückgabe und Widerruf (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  3. Bundesamt für Justiz / Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de): § 438 BGB - Einzelnorm: Verjährung der Mängelansprüche (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  4. Bundesamt für Justiz / Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de): § 477 BGB - Einzelnorm: Beweislastumkehr (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  5. Bundesamt für Justiz / Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de): § 312g BGB - Einzelnorm: Widerrufsrecht (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.