From January 1, 2027, every consumer online store selling in Czechia must offer the EU withdrawal button on its website or app. Customers use it to withdraw in two steps, and the store immediately confirms receipt by email. Czechia implements this duty in § 1830a of the Czech Civil Code (Act No. 159/2026 Coll.).

Many articles online cite June 19, 2026—that was the deadline the EU directive set for member states, not the effective date for stores in Czechia. This article reflects the law as of November 2026 and does not replace legal advice for your store.

What changes and when the button takes effect

From January 1, 2027, every online store selling to Czech consumers must enable online contract withdrawal via a withdrawal button or similar element. This is required by § 1830a of the Czech Civil Code, introduced by Act No. 159/2026 Coll. published on September 2, 2026 (confirmed by the Czech Trade Inspection Authority).

Although the act's title mentions only distance financial services, the 2027 obligations apply to all online stores—including clothing, cosmetics, and spare parts.

The duty comes from Directive (EU) 2023/2673 of November 22, 2023 (Article 11a of the Consumer Rights Directive) and applies in every EU state. Member states had until December 19, 2025 to transpose it, with an EU application date of June 19, 2026. Czechia adopted it later, so the Czech implementation applies from January 1, 2027.

However, Government Regulation No. 66/2026 Coll. has applied in Czechia since June 19, 2026. It added a sentence to the model withdrawal instructions stating that customers can withdraw online, where to find the button, and that you will confirm receipt in text form.

Compliance is enforced by the Czech Trade Inspection Authority (ČOI) for online stores and by the Czech National Bank for financial services.

Who the rule applies to and who is exempt

The duty applies to every business concluding withdrawable consumer contracts via a website or mobile app. Company size and platform do not matter—the microenterprise exemption from the accessibility law does not apply here.

If you sell exclusively to businesses (using a company ID, or IČO), you are exempt. Once you also sell to consumers outside their trade (without an IČO), you need the button at least for them. In practice, showing it to everyone is simpler.

Under § 1830a, you can omit the button only for contracts exempt from withdrawal under § 1837 of the Czech Civil Code—such as custom-made goods, perishables, or fixed-date leisure services. If you also sell standard goods, you need the button.

Example: a fictional carpentry shop sells cutting boards and wooden toys online. Because its buyers are consumers who can withdraw, it needs the button. Only custom-engraved items are exempt under § 1837.

How the EU withdrawal button must work

The EU withdrawal button works in two steps—the first opens a withdrawal statement, the second submits it, and the store then sends confirmation:

1. On the site, the customer sees a legible button or link labeled „Odstoupit od smlouvy“ [Withdraw from contract] or equally clear wording (§ 1830a(2)).
2. After clicking, they easily enter or confirm their name, contract details, and electronic contact, usually email (§ 1830a(3)).
3. They submit the statement via a button labeled „Potvrdit odstoupení od smlouvy“ [Confirm withdrawal from contract] or equally clear wording (§ 1830a(4)).
4. Without delay, the store sends a text confirmation to that contact with the statement content, date, and submission time (§ 1830a(5)).

For logged-in users, pre-fill their name, email, and order number so they just confirm. For multi-item orders, let them check specific items. An on-screen message is not enough—send an automated email as proof for both sides.

Core rules stay unchanged: consumers have 14 days to withdraw, for goods usually from delivery (§ 1829 of the Civil Code). You refund within 14 days of withdrawal (§ 1832) and may wait for the returned goods or proof of dispatch. Email and model forms can remain alongside the button.

Where to place the button in your store

The withdrawal button must be prominent, easily accessible, and continuously available throughout the withdrawal period (§ 1830a(2)). Place it where customers look:

• Customer account: in the order detail with pre-filled data.
• Order emails: a direct link to the form in both confirmation and shipping emails.
• Website footer: an „Odstoupit od smlouvy“ [Withdraw from contract] link on every page (using order number and email).
• Terms and returns page: a link right next to your withdrawal instructions.

Example: a guest shopper orders shoes that do not fit from a fictional shoe store. In the shipping email, she clicks „Odstoupit od smlouvy“ [Withdraw from contract], where her order number and email are pre-filled. She adds her name, checks the shoes, and clicks „Potvrdit odstoupení od smlouvy“ [Confirm withdrawal from contract]. She immediately gets an email with her statement, submission date and time, and return instructions.

Watch out for guest orders. Forcing shoppers to create an account to withdraw is a barrier the law rejects. We always recommend a guest flow verified by order number and email.

On mobile, do not hide the footer link in a collapsed menu. Make the button easy to tap and the form readable without zooming.

The period runs from delivery. Keep the form permanently live—after the deadline, it can check the order date, explain the expiry, and offer a warranty claim or support contact.

How to design the button without dark patterns

The law requires a prominent, easy-to-reach withdrawal button. Dark patterns that confuse or deter customers violate it.

Worrying about more returns is natural. Still, customers could already withdraw by email or form; the button mainly adds convenience. You reduce returns with accurate descriptions, size charts, clear photos, and fast help.

Calm, neutral copy helps: a heading “Withdrawal from contract”, a note “Fill in or check your details; we will email your confirmation”, and after sending “We received your withdrawal and emailed your confirmation.” Offer exchanges or claims beside the button (“Need a different size?”), never as a mandatory step.

The form must work via keyboard and screen reader (visible labels, clear errors, adequate contrast). Outside microenterprises, the web accessibility law requires this.

Track form opens and submissions per product. Since the law expects only three fields, keep any reason selector optional—it will still show where returns start.

What to update in your terms, emails, and systems

Update your terms, emails, and backend as well:

• Terms and withdrawal instructions: From January 1, 2027, pre-contractual info must cover button withdrawal and its location (§ 1820(1)(i) of the Civil Code as amended by Act No. 159/2026 Coll.). Add the model sentence under Government Regulation No. 29/2023 Coll. (from June 19, 2026) and the form URL.
• Confirmation email: Automatically send the full statement, submission date and time, order number, return address and deadline, and refund timing.
• Orders, warehouse, and accounting: Submission should create a return, notify the warehouse, track the 14-day refund window, and log the statement and confirmation.
• Customer support: Show your team new withdrawals in the system; emails and letters remain valid. Before January 1, 2027, run a TEST order on mobile and desktop.
• E-commerce platform: On SaaS platforms, check rollout and settings with your provider; on custom builds, brief the form, email, integrations, and tests. We compare both in E-commerce platform.

What else ČOI checks in online stores

ČOI also inspects older rules from Consumer Protection Act amendment No. 374/2022 Coll. (from January 6, 2023), summarized on the ČOI website.

On discounts, display the lowest price from the past 30 days; on reviews, state how you verify real buyers—more in Google reviews.

Since June 28, 2025, accessibility applies under Act No. 424/2023 Coll. (microenterprises providing services are exempt). More in Websites.

Want to handle your withdrawal button, emails, and order workflows with a team that designs and builds online stores? You can book a consultation.

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