Table of contents
Withdrawal from a contract is the strongest way to end an obligation — the contract is treated as if it never existed. Two things matter most: whether you have a legal basis to withdraw and whether you meet the deadline. Below we summarize the rules, how to count the deadline, and practical steps to avoid disputes.
Most commonly this applies to distance and off‑premises contracts. In many cases the deadline is 14 days, but always check the legal basis and exclusions (e.g. services fully performed with consent, digital content).
Parties can include a contractual withdrawal clause that sets the deadline and rules. This is common in B2B contracts. If the contract has no such clause, withdrawal without statutory grounds is usually ineffective.
The most common mistake is counting from the wrong date. General rules:
You receive the goods on 5 May. The 14‑day period starts on 6 May. If 19 May falls on a Sunday, the deadline may move to Monday.
Even if the law does not require a written form, it is safer to keep one. Best options:
Lack of proof is one of the most common reasons for disputes.
As a rule, the parties return what they received: the goods go back to the seller, and payment returns to the buyer. If the contract contains a penalty clause, check whether there is a withdrawal penalty — see penalty for withdrawal.
If the item is defective, you can withdraw under warranty rules, but the deadlines and procedure are different from the classic “14‑day” withdrawal. In practice the key points are:
For contract‑liability topics, see also contractual penalty basics.
You buy electronics online and receive the parcel on 10 March. You withdraw. Count the deadline from 11 March, send the notice by email and keep proof of sending.
The contract says “either party may withdraw within 7 days of signing”. You sign on 2 July, the deadline runs from 3 July. You submit a written notice and confirm receipt.
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