From 19 June 2026, a new obligation applies to online shops across the EU: consumers must be able to exercise their right of withdrawal electronically, at the click of a button — through what is commonly called the withdrawal button. The basis is Directive (EU) 2023/2673, transposed into national law by each member state (Germany via the new § 356a BGB, France via Ordonnance 2026-2 amending Article L221-21).
For many merchants, this is more than a technical detail: it touches both the website (the button itself) and the legal documents (the withdrawal notice and the Terms of Sale). This article explains what is required, who is affected, and how to update your documents in time.
What is the withdrawal button?
The withdrawal button is an electronic withdrawal function that the trader must make available on its online interface. The goal: let consumers withdraw as easily as they ordered — no letter, no form to print, no friction.
Concretely, the law requires a two-step function:
- Trigger — a clearly labelled button, for example Withdraw from contract.
- Confirm — a second confirmation page, for example Confirm withdrawal, where the consumer submits their declaration.
Key points:
- The function must be permanently available and prominently displayed throughout the withdrawal period.
- It may only request the information needed to identify the contract and a contact channel for the acknowledgment.
- Asking for the reason for withdrawal is prohibited.
The three obligations in a nutshell
The new rule has three inseparable parts:
1. The button on the website
The technical function (two-step, prominently displayed) must be integrated into your shop. That is a matter for your website or e-commerce platform.
2. The acknowledgment on a durable medium
When a consumer uses the button, you must send them without delay a confirmation on a durable medium (in practice, an email). This acknowledgment must state the content of the withdrawal declaration as well as the date and time of receipt.
3. The updated withdrawal notice
If you provide an online withdrawal function, your withdrawal notice must reference that function and inform the consumer, before the contract is concluded, of the existence and location of the button.
Who is affected?
The obligation covers all consumer (B2C) distance contracts concluded through an online interface where a right of withdrawal exists. Unlike the earlier rule (limited to financial services), it now applies across all sectors — fashion, software, furniture, and more.
No right of withdrawal, no button: where the right of withdrawal is excluded from the outset (for example, certain digital content, custom-made goods), the button obligation does not apply to those contracts. As a reminder, here are the 4 essential legal documents for every e-commerce website.
What is the risk of non-compliance?
Penalties depend on the member state. France, for example, provides administrative fines of up to 15,000 EUR (individuals) and 75,000 EUR (companies). On top of that come the usual commercial risks: customer disputes and reputational damage. Regulators take compliance seriously — see our overview of the top GDPR fines and CNIL sanctions.
What online shops should do now
It helps to split the task into two levels:
Level 1 — the technology (your website): integrate the two-step button, permanently displayed, with the acknowledgment sent by email (content plus date and time). Many e-commerce platforms will offer this function natively by the deadline.
Level 2 — the documents (your texts): the withdrawal notice and the Terms of Sale must reference the online function correctly. This is exactly where frequent, costly mistakes creep in — see our rundown of compliant Terms of Sale and 5 costly mistakes.
A reassuring point: if you do not (yet) provide a button, you do not need the updated notice — your standard notice (right of withdrawal plus model form) stays valid. You are not in breach simply because you add the button later.
How WebLegal helps
WebLegal generates the legal texts you need for the transition:
- an up-to-date withdrawal notice,
- Terms of Sale tailored to your e-commerce activity,
- adjusted to your country and your actual setup.
The button itself belongs on your website or platform — WebLegal does not provide it. But if you already have a button (or an online withdrawal function), simply enter its URL when generating: WebLegal references it correctly in your Terms of Sale. If you do not have one yet, your notice stays in the standard format, with nothing breaking.
That way your texts and your button stay consistent with each other. To see how it works, check out our legal document generator walkthrough. And if your payment provider already requires clean terms, read why a payment processor can suspend your account without Terms of Sale.
In summary
The withdrawal-button obligation on 19 June 2026 is not insurmountable, but it is not something to leave until the last minute. Those who plan ahead can handle two things cleanly: add the button on the technical side and update their texts on the legal side. The two go together — and the texts, at least, can be produced quickly and reliably.
Start by taking stock of your site: with the free WebLegal scanner, you see in 30 seconds which documents are missing or outdated — then adapt them precisely to the new obligation.
