Contract information

What you should know before buying

Wherever you buy a product or service in the EU the trader must provide you with clear, correct and understandable information about the product or service before you buy.

This contract information should include:

• the main product characteristics
• the total price inclusive of taxes and all charges
• delivery costs, (if applicable) - and any other additional charges
• arrangements for payment, delivery or performance
• the trader's identity, address and telephone number
• the duration of the contract (if applicable)

Some of this information may not have to be provided explicitly, if it is clear from the context - such as the characteristics of a product which is displayed on a shelf in the shop.

If you buy online, by telephone, by mail order catalogue or from a door-to-door salesperson, the following more detailed information must also be provided before you buy anything:

• e-mail address of the trader
• any delivery restrictions in certain countries
• the right to cancel your order within 14 days
• available after-sales services
• dispute resolution mechanisms
• trade register number of the trader
• professional title and VAT details of the trader (if applicable)
• professional association to which the trader belongs (if applicable)

For these purchases, you should bear in mind that you do not have to pay any delivery costs or other charges which you weren't informed about in advance.

Contracts must be written in plain and understandable language and cannot contain unfair contract terms.

Purchase confirmation

When you have purchased something elsewhere than an actual shop – for example, online, by phone or by catalogue – you must receive written confirmation of your transaction. The confirmation must be on paper or in a durable format such as e-mail or a message to your personal account on the trader's website – provided it is something you can store and which the trader cannot unilaterally change.

Digital content

Specific information requirements apply when you buy digital content online, for example when you download or stream music or video. Before you make your purchase, you must also be informed how the content operates with relevant hardware/software (interoperability) and about its functionalities, including whether any geographical restrictions apply to the use of the content and if private copies are allowed.

After-sales communication by telephone

Traders who provide after-sales telephone lines for consumers must make sure that calls are charged at the basic rate. It is forbidden for traders to require consumers to use premium-rate telephone lines to make enquiries or complaints about their purchase or contract.

Buying from non-EU online traders

Your consumer rights under EU rules normally also apply to purchases from non-EU online traders targeting consumers in the EU. However, you may have difficulties in asserting your rights with traders based outside the EU.