Consumer Rights

Misleading advertising in Germany includes false or deceptive claims about product features, pricing, origin, performance, or consumer rights — any statement likely to influence a consumer’s decision they wouldn’t otherwise make.

No, unsolicited advertising (spam) is generally illegal in Germany unless strict conditions for prior consent or exceptions like the 'soft opt-in' rule are met.

If your online order never arrives, you can demand delivery, cancel the contract, and get a full refund — no waiting for a 'reasonable time' if the seller missed a promised delivery date.

The 'button solution' is a German legal requirement that online checkout buttons must clearly say 'zahlungspflichtig bestellen' (or equivalent unambiguous wording) to confirm the buyer’s intent to pay.

You have the right to demand repair or replacement, price reduction, contract cancellation, or compensation — depending on the defect's severity and the seller’s response.

The burden of proof shifts to the buyer only after one year from delivery — before that, the seller must prove the defect did not exist at delivery.

If a product doesn’t match its description, it’s legally defective under German law — you can demand repair, replacement, price reduction, or contract cancellation, plus possible compensation.

Send a clear, written complaint to the seller stating the defect and demanding repair or replacement under German law. You have two years from delivery to assert your rights.

Unfair contract terms in German consumer contracts are standard terms that unreasonably disadvantage the consumer and are automatically invalid under §§ 307–309 BGB.

No — in Germany, unread terms and conditions are not binding unless the business clearly drew your attention to them and gave you a reasonable chance to review them before contracting.

For consumer purchases in Germany, the legal warranty period is two years from delivery — unless it's a building or related item (five years) or real estate (30 years). Used goods may have a one-year period by agreement, but warranty cannot be fully excluded.

If the seller unjustifiably refuses repair, you may rescind the contract, demand replacement, or claim damages—no deadline notice is needed after two failed repair attempts or outright refusal.

No — sellers cannot fully exclude statutory warranty rights for consumers in Germany; such exclusions are void under mandatory consumer protection rules.

In Germany, 'warranty' (Gewährleistung) is a mandatory legal right under the BGB for defective goods; 'guarantee' (Garantie) is a voluntary, extra promise by the seller or manufacturer.

Yes — but only after the seller fails to fix the defect within a reasonable time, or after two unsuccessful repair attempts. You may then rescind the contract and demand a full refund.

You may still have legal rights under German law for up to two years (or longer in some cases) — the statutory limitation period for defect claims starts after delivery, not after the commercial warranty ends.

No — in consumer purchases, 'final sale' or 'no returns' clauses are generally invalid under German law because statutory warranty rights cannot be waived by the seller.

The seller must repair the defective item or deliver a new, defect-free one — at their own cost — unless doing so would be unreasonably expensive.

Yes, you generally have a legal right to return most online purchases within 14 days — no reason needed — unless the item falls under a specific statutory exception.

In Germany, consumers have a 14-day legal right to withdraw from most online and off-premises purchases. The period starts either at contract conclusion or — for physical goods — when the consumer (or a designated person) receives the last item.

No — under German law, you are entitled to a full cash refund within 14 days after withdrawing from a contract; vouchers are only allowed if you explicitly agree and no cost or disadvantage results.

Yes, you generally have a 14-day right to withdraw from a consumer contract signed at your home or doorstep, unless it falls under a legal exception.

Yes, you usually have a legal right to cancel most online subscriptions within 14 days under German consumer law — unless the service is excluded (e.g., personalized or time-sensitive services).

Yes, but only if the digital content hasn’t been downloaded or streamed yet — and only if you haven’t explicitly agreed to start delivery before the 14-day withdrawal period ends.

No — under German law, you generally cannot withdraw from a contract for customized or personalized items because they are excluded from the statutory right of withdrawal.