Wegweiser Consumers · Your rights when buying and contracting Deutsch

🧭 Overview of consumer rights

What protects consumers by law: withdrawal, rights in case of defects, cancellation button, protection against advertising. And where to get help.

Consumers Consumer protection BGB Rights when buying General terms and conditions (AGB) New rules 2026 Mandatory law Verbraucherzentrale

In brief

Consumers are people who buy something for private use or enter into a contract. Special protective rules apply to them, mainly in the Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch, BGB).

  • When you buy online, you can usually withdraw within 14 days.
  • If goods are defective, you have rights against the seller.
  • Subscriptions must be cancellable online with a cancellation button.
  • Sales calls without your express consent are prohibited.

Some rules are new or change in 2026. These pages show what already applies and what is still to come.

Step by step

  1. Secure the contract and proofKeep the order confirmation, invoice, chats and e-mails.
  2. Work out your rightsUse the topic pages to check: withdrawal, defect, cancellation or advertising?
  3. Respond in writingDeclare withdrawal, notice of defect or cancellation in text form and keep the proof.
  4. Get helpIn a dispute: ask the Verbraucherzentrale or an arbitration body.

Deadlines

14 days
Standard withdrawal period for consumer contracts§ 355 Abs. 2 BGB
2 years
Limitation period for claims for defects in sales (general rule)§ 438 Abs. 1 Nr. 3 BGB
Watch out – common mistakes
  • Deadlines often run from delivery, not from the order. Note the date.
  • Verbal promises are hard to prove. Have them confirmed in writing.
  • This page is information, not legal advice.
  • The withdrawal button (since 19 June 2026) and the right to repair (since 31 July 2026) already apply. Still pending: consumer credit (20 November 2026) and the air passenger rights reform. Note the "as of" notice on each page.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Mandatory consumer law

Under § 476 Abs. 1 BGB, in a consumer sale the trader cannot rely on an agreement made before a defect was notified that deviates to the consumer's detriment from §§ 433 to 435, 437, 439 to 441 and 443. This means: general terms and conditions cannot undermine the core rights.

New rules 2026

The withdrawal button under § 356a BGB has applied since 19 June 2026. The Consumer Credit Implementation Act was promulgated on 18 May 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 139); the new rules apply from 20 November 2026. The right to repair (Directive (EU) 2024/1799) was promulgated on 22 July 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 212), entered into force on 23 July 2026 and applies to purchase contracts from 31 July 2026. The EU reform of air passenger rights: the European Parliament approved it on 7 July 2026, publication in the Official Journal was still pending in July 2026, entry into force expected only in 2027. Details are on the topic pages.

Who is responsible
  • Verbraucherzentralen of the Länder (regional consumer advice centres)
  • Arbitration bodies (Universalschlichtungsstelle des Bundes, the federal universal arbitration body)
  • Amtsgericht / Landgericht (local / regional court) depending on the amount in dispute
Further reading
Right of withdrawal and the withdrawal buttonAdvice and contact points

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Overview of consumer rights“?
What protects consumers by law: withdrawal, rights in case of defects, cancellation button, protection against advertising. And where to get help.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
  • 14 days: Standard withdrawal period for consumer contracts (§ 355 Abs. 2 BGB)
  • 2 years: Limitation period for claims for defects in sales (general rule) (§ 438 Abs. 1 Nr. 3 BGB)
What should I do first?
  • Secure the contract and proof: Keep the order confirmation, invoice, chats and e-mails.
  • Work out your rights: Use the topic pages to check: withdrawal, defect, cancellation or advertising?
  • Respond in writing: Declare withdrawal, notice of defect or cancellation in text form and keep the proof.
What do I need to watch out for?
  • Deadlines often run from delivery, not from the order. Note the date.
  • Verbal promises are hard to prove. Have them confirmed in writing.
  • This page is information, not legal advice.
Evidence
  • gesetze-im-internet.de, § 476 BGB, retrieved 20 September 2026
  • gesetze-im-internet.de, § 355 BGB, retrieved 20 September 2026
  • gesetze-im-internet.de, § 438 BGB, retrieved 20 September 2026
  • Bundesregierung, Richtlinie über Verbraucherkreditverträge umgesetzt, retrieved 20 September 2026
As of

September 2026 · Sources and method

A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.