Withdrawal Period Calculator for Germany
If you bought something or signed a contract online, by phone or at your door in Germany, you can usually withdraw within 14 days without giving a reason (the Widerrufsrecht). Tell the calculator what you bought and when it arrived, and it shows your last day, counting weekends and the public holidays in your state. Free to use, no account, and nothing is stored.
The calculation runs in your browser. We store nothing you enter.
Your purchase
Your result
There is no legal right to withdraw from a purchase made in a shop. Whether you can exchange it is up to the shop, so ask about its returns policy.
We only counted nationwide public holidays. Pick your state for an exact result.
Sending it in time is enough. Keep proof, such as the email, a postal receipt or the confirmation from the shop's "Vertrag widerrufen" button.
Source: § 355(1) sentence 5 BGB
There is no right to withdraw, for example, for
- made-to-measure or personalised goods
- food that spoils quickly
- sealed hygiene products once you have opened the seal
- sealed CDs, DVDs or software once opened
- tickets and hotel bookings for a fixed date
- single newspapers and magazines (subscriptions excepted)
Source: § 312g(2) BGB
Not legal advice. The calculator covers contracts between you as a consumer and a business. Insurance and loans have their own rules. If something looks off, your local Verbraucherzentrale can help.
How the calculator counts
- 14 calendar days, counted from the day after delivery or signing.
- For goods, delivery counts: the last parcel for split orders, the first delivery for subscriptions.
- For services, energy and downloads, the contract date counts.
- If the last day is a weekend or public holiday, the next working day applies.
- Without instructions, 12 months and 14 days at most.
Sources: §§ 355, 356(2) to (6), § 356a, § 312g, §§ 187, 188, 193 BGB, as of 2 November 2026 on gesetze-im-internet.de.
Missed the 14 days? Work out your notice period instead. Open the notice period calculator
FAQ
How long do I have to withdraw in Germany?
14 days. For goods, the period starts when you receive them. With several parcels from one order the last one counts, and for a subscription for goods the first delivery counts. For services, energy and downloads it starts when the contract is concluded. Source: § 355(2) BGB, § 356(2) BGB.
Does the delivery day count, and what about weekends?
The delivery day does not count. The period ends at midnight on the 14th day after it. If that day is a Saturday, Sunday or a public holiday where you are, it ends on the next working day. Source: § 187(1), § 188(1), § 193 BGB.
Does my withdrawal have to arrive within the 14 days?
No. Sending it in time is enough, and you don't need to give a reason. Keep proof. If you use the shop's "Vertrag widerrufen" button, the seller must confirm receipt with the date and time. Source: § 355(1) BGB, § 356a BGB.
What if I never got withdrawal instructions?
Then the 14 days don't start. Your right still ends at the latest 12 months and 14 days after delivery or signing. Source: § 356(3) and (4) BGB.
Can I withdraw from something I bought in a shop?
No. The legal right covers distance contracts (online, phone, post) and contracts made outside business premises, such as at your door. In a shop, returns depend on the shop's own policy. Purchases from private sellers have no legal right to withdraw either. Source: § 312g(1) BGB, § 312b, § 312c BGB.
When is there no right to withdraw, or when does it end early?
There is none for made-to-measure goods, food that spoils quickly, opened hygiene products and tickets for a fixed date, for example. For services, the right ends early once the service is fully provided, if you agreed to an immediate start. For downloads, it can end when the download starts, if you agreed and confirmed that you lose the right. Source: § 312g(2) BGB, § 356(5) and (6) BGB.
Don't let your 14 days slip by.
With Guardian, our paid plan, Notenz emails you a reminder, for example 1 week or 1 day before. For longer deadlines you can pick 1, 3 or 6 months. See pricing
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