Legal area

Consumer rights

Purchases, warranties, withdrawal, disputes with a seller or customer service.

Ask a free question →
In brief

French consumer law protects individuals in their dealings with professionals: pre-contract information, the right of withdrawal, legal warranties, unfair commercial practices and consumer mediation.

When you buy something, you enjoy strong protections: the legal warranty of conformity, a 14-day right of withdrawal for distance purchases, and a ban on unfair terms.

For a faulty product, a late delivery or an incorrect bill, the law provides clear remedies: repair, refund or referral to the consumer mediator. Our articles explain how to enforce each right and how to write the letters that get results.

All articles: consumer rights

35 articles
Right to Repair in France: The AGEC Anti-Waste Law Explained

Buy, use, discard, and buy again: this linear consumption model is living its final days in France. In the fac…

Read →
Fake Online Reviews in France: How to Report and Remove Them

In the digital age, online reviews have become the compass for consumers. Whether choosing a restaurant, booki…

Read →
Door-to-Door Sales in France: Your Right of Withdrawal

A salesperson knocks on your door, presents a revolutionary product or a particularly attractive energy contra…

Read →
Revolving Credit in France: Pitfalls to Avoid for Expats

Revolving credit, formerly known as "crédit revolving" or a "réserve d'argent" (money reserve), is a particula…

Read →
How to Cancel and Refund an Unauthorised Bank Debit in France

Discovering a suspicious or completely unknown direct debit on your bank statement is a stressful experience t…

Read →
Expired Gift Card in France: Can You Get Your Money Back?

Every year, millions of people in France disappointingly discover a forgotten gift card at the bottom of a dra…

Read →
Credit Note or Refund: What Can the Customer Legally Demand?

When shopping online or in physical stores, who hasn't heard the famous phrase: "We do not issue refunds, we o…

Read →
Delayed Delivery in France: How to Cancel and Get a Refund

You have been waiting for weeks for the delivery of your new sofa, your work computer, or even your car, but t…

Read →
No-Return Purchases: When the Right of Withdrawal Does Not Apply

As consumers, we all have in mind that famous "right to make a mistake" which allows us to change our minds af…

Read →
Product Breakdown in France: Legal vs. Commercial Warranty

You have just bought a washing machine, a smartphone, or a used car, and it breaks down. Faced with this incon…

Read →
Bank Card Fraud in France: How to Get Your Money Back

Discovering an unknown debit on your bank statement or receiving a payment notification for a purchase you nev…

Read →
After-Sales Service Refusal in France: Your Legal Rights

You have just bought a smartphone, a washing machine, or a computer, and it suddenly breaks down. Confident, y…

Read →
Energy Bill Disputes in France: How to Contest Unfair Charges

Sudden price hikes, meter reading errors, exorbitant annual adjustments, or equipment malfunctions: disputes r…

Read →
How to Cancel Your Insurance in France: Hamon Law Guide

Every year, millions of French residents and expats pay insurance premiums that are far too high, simply out o…

Read →
Closing a Bank Account in France: Your Rights and Bank Mobility

Changing banks or simply closing an account that is no longer useful is a common step, but it often raises man…

Read →
Misleading Advertising in France: How to Report It and Sanctions

Every day, French consumers and foreign residents in France are exposed to thousands of advertising messages o…

Read →
Consumer Mediator in France: Free and Mandatory Dispute Resolution

Have you bought a sofa that sagged after just two weeks of use, but the seller refuses to refund you? Is your …

Read →
Unfair Contract Terms in France: How to Spot and Cancel Them

Signing a rental agreement, taking out a mobile phone subscription, or accepting the general terms and conditi…

Read →
Sales and Promotions in France: Rules for Expats

Whether you are a consumer looking for a good deal or a business owner wishing to develop your activity in com…

Read →
Disputing a Mechanic's Bill in France: Quotes and Remedies

Breaking down or having to leave your vehicle with a mechanic is often a source of stress, but receiving the f…

Read →
Buying from Private Sellers in France: How to Resolve Disputes

Every month, millions of people in France log onto Leboncoin, Vinted, or Facebook Marketplace to find a bargai…

Read →
Lost or Damaged Luggage: Compensation Under French Law

You have just landed, you are waiting in front of the airport baggage carousel, but your suitcase never appear…

Read →
Delayed or Cancelled Flight: Your Rights (Up to €600)

Whether you are heading off on holiday, traveling for business, or visiting family, a major flight delay or ca…

Read →
Cancelled Trip in France: How to Get a Refund and Compensation

Whether you are heading off for a family holiday, a business trip, or a stay abroad, a cancelled trip is alway…

Read →
Telecom Disputes in France: Mediation and Contract Termination

An internet connection that constantly cuts out, bills with inexplicable amounts, or a provider refusing to le…

Read →
Unfair Bank Fees in France: Legal Limits and Refunds

Every month, thousands of bank customers in France are surprised to find charges with sometimes obscure titles…

Read →
Debt Overload in France: Filing a Banque de France Dossier

Facing an accumulation of debt, constant reminders from creditors, and the fear of eviction or asset seizure l…

Read →
Consumer Credit in France: Cooling-off Period and Early Repayment

Taking out a consumer credit agreement allows you to bring many projects to life, whether it is purchasing a v…

Read →
Nuisance Cold Calls in France: Bloctel and Legal Sanctions

Who hasn't been interrupted in the middle of a meal or a meeting by a blocked number or an unknown caller, off…

Read →
Cancelling a Subscription in France: The "3-Click" Rule

Gym memberships, streaming platforms, insurance policies, or mobile phone plans: today, we accumulate dozens o…

Read →
Online Scams in France: How to Report and Recover Your Money

Every day, thousands of people in France and abroad fall victim to internet scams: fake e-commerce websites, r…

Read →
Defective Products in France: Repair, Replacement, or Refund

When a newly purchased product breaks down, presents a manufacturing defect, or does not match what was promis…

Read →
Legal Warranty of Conformity: 2 Years to Claim Your Rights

Have you just bought a smartphone that refuses to turn on after a few months of use, or a washing machine that…

Read →
Lost or Undelivered Parcel in France: Your Legal Recourse

Waiting for a parcel that never arrives is a particularly frustrating experience, whether you are a regular on…

Read →
Cooling-Off Period: 14 Days to Change Your Mind in France

Who has never regretted an impulse purchase just a few hours after validating their online shopping cart? In F…

Read →

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to withdraw from an online purchase?

You have 14 days from receiving the product to withdraw, without giving a reason, except for certain items (personalised goods, perishables, downloaded digital content).

What is the difference between the legal and commercial warranty?

The legal warranty of conformity is free and mandatory (2 years). The commercial warranty is optional, offered by the seller or manufacturer, and adds to the legal warranty.

The seller refuses to refund me — what can I do?

Send a written complaint, then a formal notice (*mise en demeure*). If that fails, refer the matter free of charge to the consumer mediator whose details appear in the terms and conditions.

A question about consumer rights?

AvocatAI answers based on official French law, in your language — free of charge.

Try AvocatAI for free