Overview
- The law, which took effect Friday, June 19, 2026, obliges online vendors to provide a clearly visible electronic withdrawal control on sites and apps so consumers can cancel distance contracts easily.
- The rule is implemented as § 356a of the German Civil Code and reflects an EU directive that covers goods, services and financial products sold to consumers.
- Sellers must make the control easy to find, keep it available throughout the 14-day withdrawal period, and may not require extra steps like account login or forced app installs.
- The control need not be a graphical button and may be a clearly labeled link such as 'Vertrag widerrufen', and vendors must promptly send a confirmation showing the date and time when a consumer withdraws.
- Statutory exceptions remain in place for items like opened audio/video media, perishables, medicines and many travel services, and consumer groups advise keeping confirmation emails and returning goods with tracking to preserve proof and clarify who pays return costs.