GermanyCan a seller force me to accept a voucher instead of a full cash refund when I withdraw from a purchase contract in Germany?
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.
What the Law Says
German consumer law strictly protects your right to a cash refund when you lawfully withdraw from a purchase — especially for online, phone, or doorstep contracts. A seller cannot unilaterally substitute a refund with a voucher.
Under BGB § 357, when you exercise your statutory right of withdrawal (e.g., for an online or off-premises purchase), the seller must refund all payments you made — including delivery costs — without delay.
The law mandates that the refund be processed 'spätestens nach 14 Tagen' (within 14 days) after you declare withdrawal. The seller must use the same payment method you used — for example, bank transfer for bank transfer, credit card reversal for credit card — unless you expressly agree to another method.
Crucially, the law does not permit the seller to impose a voucher as the sole or default option. Any switch to a voucher is only lawful if you give informed, voluntary consent and it causes you no financial disadvantage (e.g., no expiry, no usage restrictions, full value).
Statutory TextDie empfangenen Leistungen sind spätestens nach 14 Tagen zurückzugewähren.
— BGB § 357 (1) — German Civil Code
Statutory TextFür die Rückzahlung muss der Unternehmer dasselbe Zahlungsmittel verwenden, das der Verbraucher bei der Zahlung verwendet hat. Satz 1 gilt nicht, wenn ausdrücklich etwas anderes vereinbart worden ist und dem Verbraucher dadurch keine Kosten entstehen.
— BGB § 357 (3) — German Civil Code
What Courts Have Said
While BGH VIII ZR 118/20 addresses deductions for usage benefit upon rescission due to defects — not withdrawal rights — it reinforces that courts strictly interpret consumer protections in favor of buyers. No ruling permits forced vouchers in withdrawal cases.
When a buyer rescinds a defective consumer purchase, the seller may deduct a reasonable usage fee — but this applies only to defect-based rescission, not statutory withdrawal. It does not authorize vouchers in place of refunds.
What to Do
Declare your withdrawal clearly and in writing (email counts) within the 14-day period.
Demand a full cash refund using your original payment method — do not accept a voucher unless you freely choose it.
If the seller refuses or delays beyond 14 days, file a complaint with the Verbraucherzentrale or consider small claims court (Mahnbescheid).
Sources
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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.