From 1 January 2027, businesses will face a new obligation: they will have to add a functional button to their websites enabling consumers to withdraw from a contract.
The aim of this legislation is to ensure that withdrawing from a contract is just as easy for consumers as entering into one. The new rules do not introduce any additional statutory grounds for returning goods or services, nor do they extend the standard withdrawal periods.
As previously reported in an article published on our website, a government regulation setting out the model information on the right of withdrawal came into effect on 19 June 2026. The amendment to the Civil Code and the Consumer Protection Act will take effect at the beginning of 2027, completing the transposition of an EU directive into Czech law.
Who Will Be Required to Introduce the Button?
The amendment requires businesses to introduce a dedicated “withdrawal from contract button” in their online interfaces. Once the consumer uses this button, they must automatically receive confirmation of their withdrawal.
This obligation applies in particular to:
- Operators of e-shops, with certain exceptions for custom-made goods and perishable goods,
- Providers of digital content and online services,
- Providers of financial services concluded online, including contracts entered into via mobile applications.
How Must the Button Work?
The button must be sufficiently visible and easily accessible. The legislation also takes into account the possibility of a customer clicking the button accidentally. For this reason, a two-step withdrawal process will be introduced, requiring consumers to confirm their intention in a second step.
If the customer is not logged into their user account, they will have to provide their personal details, information about the contract they wish to cancel, and an email address (or another electronic contact) to which confirmation of receipt of the withdrawal request can be sent. This requirement will not apply to customers logged into their accounts, as their basic details will already be pre-filled.
The business must then automatically confirm receipt of the consumer's withdrawal. The confirmation must include the date and time of submission, as well as a copy of the withdrawal notice.
What Else Will Businesses Need to Change?
Simply introducing the technical feature – the withdrawal button – will not be enough. Businesses will also need to update their terms and conditions and pre-contractual information. Customers must be clearly informed in advance that they can withdraw from a contract online and where to find this feature on the website.
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in administrative penalties imposed by the Czech Trade Inspection Authority (or the Czech National Bank in the case of financial services), with fines of up to CZK 5 million. Furthermore, inadequate information about the right of withdrawal may extend the statutory withdrawal period by up to one year.
