Right of withdrawal in distance selling (Austria)

The right of withdrawal in distance selling allows consumers in Austria to withdraw from a distance contract within 14 days without giving reasons (section 11 FAGG). The FAGG is the Austrian distance selling act. The same applies to contracts concluded away from business premises. For services the period starts on the day the contract is concluded. For goods it starts on the day the consumer, or a third party they have named other than the carrier, receives the goods. Section 18 FAGG provides exceptions for a range of contracts, for instance fully performed services under certain conditions. Traders must inform consumers about the right of withdrawal; if that information is missing, the period is extended by twelve months under section 12 FAGG. For contracts concluded via a website or app after 30 September 2026, the withdrawal function under section 13a FAGG is added, known as the withdrawal button. In Germany and in EU law the corresponding right is called the right of withdrawal (Widerrufsrecht).

In practice

For shop operators the key point is correct information: the withdrawal information including the model withdrawal form belongs in the ordering process, complete and easy to find. From October 2026 it also has to mention the withdrawal function. The 14 days are the statutory minimum; anyone voluntarily offering longer return periods should keep the two clearly apart. Anyone relying on an exception under section 18 FAGG, for instance for digital content or partly performed services, needs the express declarations from customers that the law provides for there. Whether an exception applies in a specific case is a legal question and should be settled before going live.

Matching service

Sources

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