What it is about
Anyone offering contracts to consumers online must, from June 19, 2026, provide a withdrawal button – a clearly findable electronic withdrawal function. The idea: a contract should be as easy to withdraw from as it was to conclude online.
The obligation stems from EU Directive (EU) 2023/2673 and is implemented in Germany in the new § 356a BGB.
Not to be confused: The withdrawal button is not the same as the cancellation button under § 312k BGB (in force since 2022) for ongoing continuing obligations (subscriptions, mobile, streaming, electricity).
Who is affected?
The obligation applies to all businesses that conclude distance contracts with consumers (B2C) via an online interface – from classic goods shops and service offerings to booking sites.
Pure B2B offerings, where contracts are concluded exclusively with businesses, are not covered by the withdrawal button obligation.
What the withdrawal function must do
- Clearly legible and unambiguously labelled – for example with “Withdraw from contract” or an equivalent wording.
- Permanently available throughout the entire withdrawal period, prominently placed and easily accessible.
- Directly reachable from every subpage – e.g. via footer, header or the customer account (hyperlinks are permitted).
- An immediate confirmation of receipt to the consumer, including the content and timestamp of the withdrawal.
The two-step process
1
“Withdraw from contract”The consumer starts the withdrawal via the withdrawal function.
2
“Confirm withdrawal”On the confirmation page the consumer enters the required details – name, contract identification and email address – and confirms the withdrawal bindingly.
Deadline & consequences
Mandatory from
June 19, 2026
If the legally required withdrawal button is missing or incorrectly implemented, this may be deemed an unfair-competition violation. Possible consequences include chargeable warning notices and injunctive claims.
⚠️Since many shops also have to adapt their withdrawal policy and legal texts, it is worth addressing the topic early – not just shortly before the deadline.
This notice is for general information and does not constitute legal advice.
The statutory text (§ 356a BGB) and individual legal advice in each case are authoritative.