Consumer returns and warranty in Italy (2026)
Last reviewed: 7 November 2026
In short: Consumers have 14 days to cancel distance and off-premises contracts. The seller is liable for defects that exist at delivery and appear within 2 years. Defects appearing within 1 year of delivery are presumed to have existed at delivery.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Right to cancel online purchasesReturning a purchase | For distance contracts and contracts made away from business premises, the consumer has 14 days to withdraw without giving a reason and without costs other than those set by law. For sales of goods, the period starts when the consumer or a third party they name (not the carrier) takes physical possession. It is 30 days for contracts made during unsolicited visits to the consumer's home or sales excursions. [1] |
| Returns from shopsReturning a purchase | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Legal guarantee for defectsReturning a purchase | The seller is liable for any lack of conformity that exists at delivery and appears within 2 years of delivery. For used goods, the parties may limit the liability period to not less than 1 year. An action for defects not fraudulently hidden by the seller expires 26 months after delivery. [2] |
| Burden of proofReturning a purchase | Unless proved otherwise, a lack of conformity that appears within 1 year of delivery is presumed to have existed at delivery, unless this is incompatible with the nature of the goods or the defect. [3] |
| Goods excluded from cancellingReturning a purchase | No right to cancel for services once fully performed (with consent and acknowledgement of loss of the right), goods or services priced on financial-market fluctuations, goods made to measure or clearly personalised, goods that spoil quickly, sealed goods unsuitable for return for hygiene or health reasons once opened, goods inseparably mixed with other goods, sealed audio, video or software once opened, newspapers and magazines (except subscriptions), public auctions, and accommodation, transport, car hire, catering or leisure services with a set date. Digital content not on a physical medium is also excluded once performance has begun with the consumer's consent. [4] |
Notes
- Article 52 sets the 14-day right for distance contracts and contracts made away from business premises. The text read does not state a rule for goods bought in a shop.
- Decree 176 of 25 September 2026 changes art. 133 for contracts made from 31 July 2026: a repair extends the liability period once by 12 months.
Sources
- Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri - Normattiva: Decreto Legislativo 6 settembre 2005, n. 206 (Codice del consumo), art. 52 - Diritto di recesso (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
- Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri - Normattiva: Decreto Legislativo 6 settembre 2005, n. 206 (Codice del consumo), art. 133 - Responsabilità del venditore (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
- Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri - Normattiva: Decreto Legislativo 6 settembre 2005, n. 206 (Codice del consumo), art. 135 - Onere della prova (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
- Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri - Normattiva: Decreto Legislativo 6 settembre 2005, n. 206 (Codice del consumo), art. 59 - Eccezioni al diritto di recesso (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.