Fri, 19 Jun 2026 Kyiv 22:18Berlin 21:18London 20:18 UKR / DE / EN

Cancellation button: Online contracts now easier to cancel

Starting June 19, companies must offer a cancellation button on their websites. According to ZDFheute, consumers can then cancel contracts as easily as they signed them.

Cancellation button: Online contracts now easier to cancel
Photo: zdfheute.de

The new regulation implements an EU directive and applies to all online contracts that have a right of withdrawal – for example, in web shops, booking sites, or apps. Offers on marketplaces such as eBay or Amazon are also affected. The cancellation function must be easy to find and clearly recognizable, for instance through color highlighting, and must not be hidden by pop-ups.

Instead of a button, a clearly labeled link is also permitted, for example with the wording “Cancel contract”. An unclear label such as “Service request” is not sufficient. Consumers must be able to use the cancellation without additional hurdles – registration or login may not be required unless the contract was only possible that way. Downloading an app must not be forced either.

The right of withdrawal itself does not change: the period remains generally 14 days after the contract is concluded or the goods are received. Purchases such as perishable food, custom-made goods, or concert tickets are still exempt from withdrawal. For them, there is no obligation to provide a cancellation button.

Source: www.zdfheute.de