From 19 June 2026, a new obligation will come into force affecting the entire online commerce sector. Not only financial service providers, but also all retailers selling goods or offering services online will be required to add a withdrawal button to their websites or apps. The purpose is clear and straightforward: to make withdrawing from a contract as easy as concluding one. Consumers must be able to cancel a contract without unnecessary obstacles. The withdrawal button therefore becomes a key tool to ensure simplicity, transparency, and effective consumer protection in digital commerce.
How the withdrawal button must work
The text sets out clear requirements for the use of the withdrawal button. The button must be easily accessible and clearly visible on the website or app. It must also remain available for the entire period during which the right of withdrawal is valid. Limiting its availability over time or hiding it in hard-to-find sections is not allowed. To prevent mistakes or unintentional actions, consumers must explicitly confirm their decision to withdraw from the contract. This confirmation step works in a similar way to confirming an order in an online store. In this way, the system balances ease of use with protection against accidental or unintended withdrawals.
Updating information and withdrawal forms
The introduction of the withdrawal button also affects the information provided to consumers. Retailers that use a model form under Government Regulation No. 29/2023 Coll. to inform consumers about their right of withdrawal will need to update it. In particular, they must include clear information about the withdrawal button. Consumers should not only be informed that they have a right, but also understand how to exercise it in practice online. This change strengthens the link between information and action. The right of withdrawal is no longer merely theoretical, but becomes immediate and practical. For online retailers, the withdrawal button therefore represents a new operational and informational standard.
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