Online “Withdrawal Button” for Webshops from 19 June 2026

As of 19 June 2026, a significant consumer protection measure affecting all webshops concluding distance contracts with consumers entered into force in Hungary: the provision of an online withdrawal function, referred to as the “withdrawal button”, has become mandatory. The new requirement was introduced to implement Directive (EU) 2023/2673 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 November 2023 amending Directive 2011/83/EU as regards distance contracts for financial services and repealing Directive 2002/65/EC.

According to the explanatory memorandum, the legislator pursued a dual objective, to ensure a higher level of consumer protection while simultaneously reducing the administrative burden on businesses. The new provisions clearly reflect the intention to enable consumers to exercise their right of withdrawal in a simple and digital manner, while establishing a uniform and legally certain procedural framework for traders.

The recitals to Directive (EU) 2023/2673 set out the rationale behind the new rules in detail. The preamble explains that the differences between Member States regarding the exercise of the right of withdrawal have generated additional costs for traders engaged in cross-border commerce. To address this issue, the EU legislator introduced a harmonised model withdrawal form, thereby simplifying the withdrawal process and enhancing legal certainty. The Directive further emphasises that Member States may not impose additional formal requirements on the Union model withdrawal form.

The EU legislator also recognised that, in practice, both consumers and traders increasingly prefer to communicate through online channels. Accordingly, the Directive allows traders to provide an electronic withdrawal interface through which consumers may easily complete and submit their withdrawal declaration. At the same time, it requires traders to acknowledge receipt of the withdrawal declaration without undue delay, for example by email. In accordance with these EU requirements, Government Decree No. 45/2014 (II. 26.) was supplemented, with effect from 19 June 2026, by new provisions regulating in detail the operation of the online withdrawal function.

Under the new rules, consumers may exercise their right of withdrawal without giving reasons in relation to distance contracts by using an online withdrawal function. The withdrawal function must take the form of a clearly worded and easily readable online declaration through which the consumer may communicate to the trader the decision to withdraw from the contract. Traders are required to make the withdrawal function continuously available throughout the withdrawal period in a clearly visible and easily accessible manner under the heading “Withdrawal from the Contract”. The withdrawal declaration may only be submitted after the consumer has completed the required information and confirmed the declaration by using a confirmation function labelled “Confirm Withdrawal”. Furthermore, traders are required to send the consumer, without undue delay, an acknowledgement of receipt of the withdrawal declaration. Such acknowledgement must contain the content of the withdrawal declaration, together with the exact date and time of its submission. This requirement provides reliable evidence for both the consumer and the trader regarding the timing and content of the exercise of the right of withdrawal, thereby reducing the risk of subsequent legal disputes.

The new provisions not only reflect the policy objectives expressed in the Preamble of the Directive but also fully comply with Article 11a, which has applied since 18 December 2023 and lays down identical requirements concerning the establishment and operation of the electronic withdrawal function. The practical significance of the new legislation is considerable. Webshop operators should review both the technical operation of their online stores and their general terms and conditions to ensure that consumers are able to exercise their right of withdrawal through an easily accessible online surface that complies with the applicable legal requirements.