Starting June 19, 2026, the so-called electronic withdrawal button will become mandatory in e-commerce. In the future, consumers will be able to withdraw from contracts concluded online much more easily: e-commerce companies will be required to provide a digital withdrawal function via a button.
But who exactly is affected by this new obligation? What must the electronic withdrawal button look like? And what should shop operators prepare now?
Here you will find the most important information summarized compactly.
What Is the Electronic Withdrawal Button?
The electronic withdrawal button is a legally required digital function through which consumers can withdraw from contracts concluded online directly on a website. The goal behind it is clear: anyone who can conclude a contract online should also be able to withdraw from it online in the future without unnecessary steps.
Until now, withdrawal has often been handled via email, contact forms, or written declarations. In the future, this process should become significantly easier – directly via an electronic button.
Source: bmjv (translated from German)
Answers to the 5 Most Important Questions About the Electronic Withdrawal Button
1. When Does the Electronic Withdrawal Button Become Mandatory?
The electronic withdrawal button will become mandatory in Germany from June 19, 2026 – from this date onwards, affected companies must provide a corresponding electronic withdrawal function.
2. Who Does the Obligation Apply To?
Companies that conclude contracts directly with consumers online must provide the electronic withdrawal button – especially in e-commerce.
This includes, for example:
traditional online shops
websites with digital ordering or booking processes
apps through which contracts are concluded directly
What is particularly relevant is whether the contract is concluded via an online user interface – for example via a “Buy now” button.
3. How Does the Electronic Withdrawal Button Work?
The electronic withdrawal button works in two steps: start withdrawal and confirm withdrawal. This is intended to ensure that a withdrawal is triggered deliberately – similar to other digital confirmation processes.
Start Withdrawal
First, consumers click on a clearly labeled button – for example: “Withdraw from Contract”. However, the withdrawal is not submitted immediately. Instead, this starts the process.
Confirm Withdrawal
In the second step, users are taken to a confirmation page. There, the withdrawal is finally confirmed via another button – for example “Confirm Withdrawal”. Only with this second click is the withdrawal submitted in a legally binding way.
4. What Specific Requirements Are Important?
The electronic withdrawal button must be easy for consumers to find and use without barriers. According to the currently available information, this means in particular:
clearly visible placement
clearly understandable labeling
easy to access at any time
available throughout the entire withdrawal period
Depending on the shop structure, placement could be within the customer account or in the order area, for example. The key point is: users should not have to search for it.
5. What Data May Be Requested?
The principle of data minimization also applies to digital withdrawal. Only information that is necessary to clearly identify the contract may be requested.
This may include, for example:
name of the customer
order number or contract reference
electronic contact details for confirmation of receipt
According to the provided sources, no additional information beyond this is intended.
What This Means for Online Retailers
For many companies, the introduction of the electronic withdrawal button affects more than just the frontend of the shop. In practice, it usually involves several processes.
These include, among others:
technical integration into the shop or checkout
adaptation of internal processes for handling incoming withdrawals
updating existing withdrawal policies
reviewing data protection notices
organizing automated confirmation of receipt
The electronic withdrawal button is therefore less a standalone website element and much more part of a broader digital service and compliance process.
What Retail Companies Should Do Now
Especially with existing shop systems or more complex e-commerce processes, implementation may affect several areas at the same time. It is particularly advisable now to:
Check Whether Your Business Model Is Affected: Is the contract concluded directly via the website or online shop?
Plan the Technical Implementation: How will the withdrawal function be visibly integrated?
Define the Withdrawal Process: How will forwarding, confirmation, and documentation be handled?
Prepare Legal Terms: Review withdrawal policy and privacy policy.
Plan Early: Early preparation reduces implementation pressure shortly before the regulation takes effect.
Conclusion
From June 19, 2026, the electronic withdrawal button will become mandatory for many e-commerce companies. The aim of the new regulation is to make withdrawal from contracts concluded online significantly easier and digitally accessible for consumers.
For companies, this primarily means: review early, prepare technically, and adapt existing processes properly. Even though the specific implementation may vary depending on the shop system, one thing is already clear: the electronic withdrawal button will become a permanent part of many digital purchasing processes in the future.
If you would like to assess whether your shop is affected or how the new obligation can be meaningfully integrated into existing e-commerce structures, an early professional evaluation is recommended. Our diva-e Conclusion experts will be happy to support you.
