For many distance and off-premises purchases, Dutch consumers can withdraw without giving a reason. The familiar headline is 14 days, but the start date and exceptions matter.

When the 14 days normally start

  • Single product: after you receive it.
  • Multiple products/parts in one order: after the last product or part arrives.
  • Service: after the contract is concluded.
  • Regular product subscription: after the first product arrives.
  • Digital content: special rules apply, especially if you expressly agree to immediate supply and loss of withdrawal rights.

If the trader fails to give the legally required information about the cooling-off right, the period can be extended. ACM ConsuWijzer states that the extension can be up to one year, with a fresh 14-day period once correct information is subsequently supplied.

The 2026 online withdrawal button

From 25 June 2026, websites and apps covered by the rule must provide an easy online function/button for withdrawing during the cooling-off period. It must remain clearly available during that period and cannot be made unnecessarily difficult. You are not forced to use the button: other valid methods such as email or the model withdrawal form remain possible.

Returning the product

You may inspect or try a product only as far as reasonably necessary to assess it, similar to what you could do in a shop. Excessive use can lead to a deduction for diminished value. Return postage can be charged to you if the trader properly informed you of that before purchase. For a defective product, use statutory guarantee instead: the seller is responsible for the costs of putting the defect right.

Common exceptions

Do not assume every online purchase can be returned. Exceptions can include certain personalised goods, rapidly perishable goods, some sealed hygiene/health products after the seal is broken, and digital content where the statutory conditions for immediate performance and waiver are met. Check the specific ACM rules before relying on an exception.

Physical-store purchases

Buying in a normal shop is different. If the product is fine and you merely regret the purchase, a return or exchange is normally governed by the shop’s own policy rather than a general statutory cooling-off right.