From January 2027, online shops must offer a “Withdraw from contract” button
New Section 1830a of the Civil Code: withdrawing from an online contract with one button. What businesses must do and what customers gain.
From 1 January 2027, anyone who concludes contracts with consumers through a website or app must let them withdraw directly in the online interface, with a button. This is required by the new Section 1830a of the Civil Code, added by Act No. 159/2026 Coll. The Ministry of Finance announced the change on 7 September 2026.
The button must be prominent, easy to reach for the whole withdrawal period and labelled “Odstoupit od smlouvy” (Withdraw from contract) or with another unambiguous wording. The customer fills in or confirms their name, the contract details and an e-mail or other electronic contact, then sends it with a second button, “Potvrdit odstoupení od smlouvy” (Confirm withdrawal). The business must confirm receipt in text form without undue delay, stating the content and the date and time it was sent.
The button also applies to financial services concluded at a distance, such as loans or insurance (Section 1840 OZ). For these, the law also bans online interfaces that deceive or manipulate consumers (Act No. 634/1992 Coll., Section 5e).
What it means for you
- You shop online: you can usually withdraw from a distance contract within 14 days (Section 1829 OZ). The button is an extra option; you can still withdraw by any other clear statement (Section 1830(1) OZ).
- You sell through an online shop or app: before the end of the year, add the button, a confirmation e-mail and a mention of the button in your customer information (Section 1820 OZ).
Source: Ministry of Finance
