GermanyHow long is the warranty period for purchased goods?
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.
What the Law Says
German law provides automatic, mandatory warranty rights for consumers — separate from any voluntary manufacturer 'guarantee'. These rights are part of the statutory liability for defects (Gewährleistung), not optional extras.
Under § 438 of the German Civil Code (BGB), the limitation period for warranty claims — i.e., the time you have to assert your rights for defective goods — depends on the type of item:
• For most everyday goods (e.g., electronics, clothing, furniture): **two years** from delivery.
• For buildings and items permanently installed in buildings (e.g., windows, heating systems): **five years**.
• For real estate with defects tied to registered rights (e.g., third-party claims in the land register): **30 years**.
§ 475 adds special rules for consumer purchases (where the buyer is a private person and the seller is a business). It reinforces that the two-year period applies unless reduced by agreement — but only down to one year for used goods, and never to zero. It also requires businesses to deliver goods within 30 days if no delivery date was agreed.
Statutory Textim Übrigen in zwei Jahren.
— BGB § 438 (1) — German Civil Code
Statutory Textin fünf Jahren bei einem Bauwerk und bei einer Sache, die entsprechend ihrer üblichen Verwendungsweise für ein Bauwerk verwendet worden ist und dessen Mangelhaftigkeit verursacht hat
— BGB § 438 (1) — German Civil Code
Statutory Textin 30 Jahren, wenn der Mangel in einem dinglichen Recht eines Dritten [...] oder in einem sonstigen Recht, das im Grundbuch eingetragen ist, besteht
— BGB § 438 (1) — German Civil Code
Statutory TextDer Unternehmer muss die Ware in diesem Fall spätestens 30 Tage nach Vertragsschluss übergeben.
— BGB § 475 (1) — German Civil Code
What Courts Have Said
German courts consistently uphold consumers’ statutory warranty rights — even in tricky situations like used goods or private sales. Agreements to shorten or exclude warranty are tightly limited.
Even for used goods sold by a business, the seller must deliver defect-free items. A one-year warranty period is permissible by agreement, but full exclusion of warranty is illegal.
In private-to-private sales (e.g., eBay Kleinanzeigen), warranty can be excluded — but only if the seller didn’t fraudulently hide defects or make explicit promises.
What to Do
Inspect the item promptly after delivery and report any visible defects to the seller in writing (email or letter) without delay.
If the defect appears later, notify the seller as soon as you notice it — your claim must be made within the two-year (or other applicable) limitation period.
Request repair or replacement first (‘Nacherfüllung’); if that fails or is unreasonable, ask for a price reduction or contract cancellation.
Keep proof: receipt, communication records, photos of the defect, and (if returning) proof of shipment with tracking.
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.