Consumer returns and warranty in Ireland (2026)
Last reviewed: 7 November 2026
In short: In Ireland consumers can cancel distance purchases within 14 days under the Consumer Rights Act 2022. There is no legal right to return a shop purchase because you changed your mind. A fault in the first 12 months is assumed to have been there at purchase, and remedies can be used for 6 years.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Right to cancel online purchasesReturning a purchase | Consumers can cancel a distance or off-premises contract within 14 days without giving a reason. For a sales contract the 14 days begin on the day the consumer takes physical possession of the goods. If the seller did not give information on the right to cancel, the right is extended by 12 months. [1] |
| Returns from shopsReturning a purchase | There is no automatic right to a refund when you return something bought in a shop because you changed your mind. Whether you can return it depends on the seller's returns policy; many sellers offer a refund, exchange or credit note as a goodwill gesture. [2] |
| Legal guarantee for defectsReturning a purchase | For goods bought on or after 29 November 2022 the consumer can use the remedies for a faulty product (repair or replacement, refund, price reduction) for 6 years. A faulty product can also be returned for a full refund within 30 days (shorter for goods with a short shelf life). [3] |
| Burden of proofReturning a purchase | If the fault appears within the first 12 months, it is assumed to have been there when the consumer bought the goods, so the consumer does not have to prove anything. [3] |
| Goods excluded from cancellingReturning a purchase | No right to cancel for: financial-market-priced goods or services; non-prefabricated goods made on the consumer's individual choice; clearly personalised goods; goods liable to deteriorate or expire rapidly; sealed goods unsuitable for return for health or hygiene reasons once unsealed; goods inseparably mixed with other items; alcohol priced now but delivered after more than 30 days with a market-dependent value; urgent repair visits requested by the consumer; sealed audio, video or software once unsealed; newspapers, periodicals and magazines (not subscriptions); public auctions; and accommodation, goods transport, car rental, catering or leisure services for a specific date or period. Fully supplied services and digital content already supplied are excluded under conditions set out in the Act. [4] |
Notes
- The Act text read is the version as enacted; later amendments were not checked. Citizens Information describes the same 14-day rule.
Sources
- Irish Statute Book (Office of the Attorney General): Consumer Rights Act 2022, Section 113 (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
- Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board): Your rights when you buy in a shop (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
- Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board): Problems with faulty goods (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
- Irish Statute Book (Office of the Attorney General): Consumer Rights Act 2022, Section 111 (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.