EU withdrawal button: required for online shops since 19 June 2026
Anyone who concludes contracts with consumers in the EU through a website or app has had to offer a withdrawal function since 19 June 2026. In Germany it is § 356a BGB. Many shops still don't have one.
The rule
Directive (EU) 2023/2673 added Article 11a to the Consumer Rights Directive. For distance contracts concluded through an online interface, the trader must provide a withdrawal function since 19 June 2026. Each member state transposes it into national law; Germany's transposition is § 356a BGB.
Die Widerrufsfunktion muss gut lesbar mit „Vertrag widerrufen“ oder einer anderen gleichbedeutenden eindeutigen Formulierung beschriftet sein.
The withdrawal function must be clearly labelled “Vertrag widerrufen” (withdraw from contract) or an equally unambiguous wording.
What the function must do
- A label such as “withdraw from contract here” (in German “Vertrag widerrufen”) or an equally unambiguous wording, prominent and easy to reach throughout the withdrawal period.
- The consumer gives or confirms their name, the contract or part of it they withdraw from, and where the acknowledgement should go.
- A confirmation button such as “confirm withdrawal” (“Widerruf bestätigen”) sends the statement.
- The trader acknowledges receipt without delay on a durable medium, with the content and the date and time of receipt.
A statement sent through the function before the withdrawal period ends counts as sent in time.
What to check now
- Is there a “withdraw from contract” function on your shop pages, also for guest orders and without logging in?
- Does it lead in two steps to a “confirm withdrawal” button?
- Does the acknowledgement go out at once, with the content, date and time?