The button obligation, in plain English.
No legalese.
Six sections. Each answers a question shop operators have asked us again and again since EU Directive (EU) 2023/2673 was passed. If anything is still unclear after reading: write to me, I answer personally.
Deadline: 19 June 2026
Since this date the withdrawal button has been mandatory for online shops selling to consumers — wherever the national transposition is in force (Germany, France and Italy since 19 June 2026).
What changes on 19 June 2026
Since this date, online shops selling to consumers need a two-step withdrawal button wherever the national transposition is in force — Germany, France and Italy since 19 June 2026, the Netherlands since 25 June and Austria since 1 October 2026; in Spain the transposition is still pending. Legal basis: EU Directive (EU) 2023/2673, which adds Article 11a to the Consumer Rights Directive (2011/83/EU) and is transposed into national law by each member state. Where the obligation applies, there is no grace period — either the button is live, or it is not.
Step 1 and step 2 — the verbatim labels
Step 1: a button labelled “Withdraw from contract” or an equivalent, unambiguous wording. Step 2: after entering the required details, a second button labelled “Confirm withdrawal”. Both wordings are the wording required by law for this function. We strongly recommend using them word for word — every creative variant is an extra warning-letter risk.
What the form must contain
Mandatory: the name, details identifying the contract (for example an order number or a description of the order) and the email address or other electronic means for the acknowledgement of receipt. Optional: a free-text field. Forbidden: a forced login. The consumer must not first have to find their account in order to exercise their statutory right of withdrawal.
Acknowledgement of receipt — without delay, durable medium
After submission an acknowledgement of receipt must follow. The law says “without undue delay”, in practice: seconds, not hours. It must contain at least the content of the withdrawal declaration plus the date and time of receipt. The format must be a “durable medium” — an email satisfies that, a toast banner in the browser does not.
Placement — easy to reach from every page
The step-1 button must be prominently placed and easy to reach from every page of your shop. There is no rule that it must be visible without scrolling — but in the footer it should clearly stand out (colour, contrast). It must remain available throughout the entire withdrawal period — at least fourteen days from receipt of the goods, and longer for some product groups.
If the button is missing — the two mechanisms
First mechanism: competitors and associations can send warning letters — in Germany, the cases documented so far cost around €417 each, and a competitor's lawyer can charge more. Second mechanism: if you don't inform customers about the existence and placement of the withdrawal function, the withdrawal period runs for up to twelve months and fourteen days (for goods, from receipt). You can receive returns for a whole year that nobody had budgeted for.
Summary of the requirements
- Two-step button: “Withdraw from contract” → form → “Confirm withdrawal”
- Mandatory details: name + contract details + email for the acknowledgement
- No login required
- Acknowledgement of receipt by email without delay
- Button prominently placed on every page (fixed, navigation or highlighted in the footer)
- Available throughout the entire withdrawal period
The technical requirements covered with one short code snippet
WiderrufButton implements the technical side of the withdrawal button — button, form and acknowledgement of receipt. Installed in 5 minutes, with a free 14-day trial.
Start free trial14 days free • no credit card • then from €2.99/month • cancel anytime