Germany

Can I withdraw from a contract signed at my doorstep?

14 days
Withdrawal period
No reason needed
Widerruf requirement
€40 threshold
Small-transaction exemption
Written notice
Valid withdrawal method
The Short Answer

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.

What the Law Says

German law gives consumers strong protection when contracts are signed outside business premises — like at your home, workplace, or on the street. This is called an 'außerhalb von Geschäftsräumen geschlossener Vertrag' (contract concluded outside business premises). The key rules come from the German Civil Code (BGB), especially §§ 312 and 355.

Under BGB § 312, the special consumer protections — including the right to withdraw — apply to most contracts signed outside business premises, such as at your doorstep, provided you are acting as a consumer (not a business) and the seller is an entrepreneur.

However, some contracts are excluded — for example, those where the full payment and delivery happen immediately and the price is €40 or less; notarial contracts over financial services; real estate purchases; healthcare treatment agreements; or regular household deliveries (like milk or bread).

If your doorstep contract is covered, BGB § 355 grants you a clear 14-day withdrawal right. You do not need to give a reason, and the withdrawal takes effect once you send your notice — even if the seller hasn’t received it yet, as long as it’s sent on time.

Statutory Text

Die Widerrufsfrist beträgt 14 Tage. Sie beginnt mit Vertragsschluss, soweit nichts anderes bestimmt ist.

— BGB § 355 — Right of withdrawal in consumer contracts
Statutory Text

Die Vorschriften der Kapitel 1 und 2 dieses Untertitels sind auf Verbraucherverträge anzuwenden, bei denen sich der Verbraucher zu der Zahlung eines Preises verpflichtet.

— BGB § 312 — Applicability to consumer contracts

What to Do

1

Check whether your contract qualifies: Was it signed at your home, workplace, or another non-business location? Were you acting as a private consumer?

2

Confirm the 14-day deadline: It starts the day you signed — not when you received goods or information.

3

Send a clear, written withdrawal notice (email, letter, or form) to the seller before the deadline ends.

4

Keep proof of sending (e.g., email timestamp or registered mail receipt).

5

Return any goods promptly — the seller must bear the return shipping cost unless they clearly informed you otherwise *before* signing.

Sources

statuteBGB § 312 — Applicability to consumer contractsstatuteBGB § 355 — Right of withdrawal in consumer contracts

Related Questions

What is the 14-day withdrawal period and when does it start?Can I return an item bought online?What are unfair contract terms and when are they invalid?Am I bound by terms and conditions I did not read?

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Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: June 2026.