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Legal Guide

Consumer Rights in France 2026: An Expat Guide

Published February 10, 2026 · Verified on October 6, 2026

Consumer rights protection in France 2026: scales of justice and Consumer Code

Key takeaways

  • 14 days to withdraw from a distance contract (Art. L.221-18).
  • 2-year legal warranty from delivery on new, second-hand and refurbished goods (Service-Public.gouv.fr).
  • 2 years from discovery to bring an action for a hidden defect (Art. 1648 Civil Code).

This guide summarises the main consumer rights in the French Consumer Code (Code de la consommation): withdrawal from distance purchases, the legal warranty on goods, protection against misleading practices and unfair clauses, and the routes for resolving a dispute.

Legal references are checked against the official sources listed at the end of the page (Service-Public.gouv.fr, Legifrance Consumer Code, DGCCRF, SignalConso). For the dispute process in detail, see our consumer disputes guide.

Your consumer rights at a glance

Withdrawal right

14 days to withdraw from a distance contract (Art. L.221-18)

Legal warranty of conformity

2 years from delivery for new AND used goods (Service-Public.gouv.fr)

Misleading practices

Up to 2 years imprisonment and EUR 300,000 fine (Art. L.132-2)

Unfair clauses

Clauses listed in Article R.212-1 are irrebuttably presumed unfair

Contents

The 14-day withdrawal right

Article L.221-18 of the French Consumer Code gives you 14 calendar days to withdraw from a distance contract. The same article applies to contracts concluded after telephone solicitation and to off-premises contracts.

Items excluded from withdrawal (Article L.221-28)

  • Personalized or custom-made goods
  • Perishable goods
  • Newspapers, magazines and periodicals
  • Services fully performed (with your prior express consent)
  • Sealed hygiene or health products once unsealed
  • Sealed audio, video recordings or software once unsealed
  • Leisure activities at a determined date or period
  • Non-residential accommodation, goods transport, vehicle rental and catering at a determined date or period
  • Goods and services whose price depends on financial market fluctuations

Legal guarantees

According to Service-Public.gouv.fr (notice F11094, verified on 17 August 2026), the legal warranty of conformity lasts 2 years from the day of delivery for new, second-hand and refurbished goods.

Legal warranty of conformity

2 years from delivery (new, refurbished and used goods)

Burden of proof: Defects appearing within 24 months of delivery (12 months for second-hand goods) are presumed to have existed at delivery (Art. L.217-7).

Legal basis: Consumer Code, Articles L.217-3 and L.217-7; Service-Public.gouv.fr notice F11094

Hidden defects guarantee

2 years from discovery

Legal basis: Article 1648 of the Civil Code

Repairs and replacements

  • • Repair: goods repaired under the legal warranty of conformity benefit from an extension of that warranty by six months (Art. L.217-13).

Misleading commercial practices

Article L.132-2 of the Consumer Code punishes misleading commercial practices with 2 years imprisonment and a EUR 300,000 fine. The fine may be raised to 10% of the average annual turnover, calculated over the last three known annual turnovers.

The DGCCRF (Direction générale de la concurrence, de la consommation et de la répression des fraudes) is the French authority for competition, consumer affairs and fraud control.

If you are new to France: cross-border purchases

When a purchase involves another EU country, a European Small Claims procedure exists for cross-border disputes (Your Europe, European Commission). Check the conditions of that procedure on Your Europe before you use it.

How to resolve a consumer dispute

Start with the trader and escalate step by step. For the full walkthrough, see our consumer disputes in France guide.

1

Contact the trader in writing

Send a registered letter with proof of receipt or an email with delivery proof. State the issue, the legal basis you rely on and your demand. Keep proof of purchase and all correspondence.

2

Report on SignalConso

signal.conso.gouv.fr is a free public service, administered by the DGCCRF, for reporting a problem with a trader.

3

Contact a consumer association

A consumer association can advise you and support your approach before you go to court.

4

Take court action

If the dispute remains unresolved, you can bring the case before the competent court. Check the competent court and any legal aid available on Service-Public.gouv.fr.

Unfair contract clauses

Article R.212-1 of the Consumer Code lists clauses that are irrebuttably presumed unfair in contracts between professionals and consumers. Three examples from that list:

Clause typeExampleLegal effect
Unilateral price or terms changeThe trader reserves the right to change prices without notice or reasonIrrebuttably presumed unfair (R.212-1, 3°)
Trader liability waiverThe clause removes or reduces the consumer right to compensation when the trader fails to meet any of its obligationsIrrebuttably presumed unfair (R.212-1, 6°)
Reverse burden of proofThe consumer must prove that the defect already existedIrrebuttably presumed unfair (R.212-1, 12°)

SignalConso and Bloctel

SignalConso

signal.conso.gouv.fr is a free public service, administered by the DGCCRF, that lets consumers report problems encountered with businesses.

Bloctel

bloctel.gouv.fr is the French registry against telemarketing. Article D223-9 of the Consumer Code sets the rules:

  • • Allowed days and time slots: Monday to Friday except public holidays, 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 8pm.
  • • A professional may not contact the same consumer more than four times within 30 calendar days.
  • • Sanctions for breaches of Articles L.223-1 to L.223-5: administrative fine of up to EUR 75,000 for individuals and EUR 375,000 for legal persons (Art. L.242-16).

Frequently asked questions

Does the legal warranty cover second-hand goods?
Yes. According to Service-Public.gouv.fr (notice F11094, verified on 17 August 2026), the legal warranty of conformity lasts 2 years from delivery for new, second-hand and refurbished goods. The presumption that a defect existed at delivery lasts 24 months for new and refurbished goods and 12 months for second-hand goods (see also Article L217-7 of the Consumer Code).
How long do I have to claim a hidden defect?
The action for hidden defects must be brought by the buyer within two years of the discovery of the defect (Article 1648 of the French Civil Code).
What can happen to a trader who misleads consumers?
Misleading commercial practices are punishable by 2 years imprisonment and a fine of EUR 300,000 (Article L132-2 of the Consumer Code). The fine may be raised to 10% of the average annual turnover, calculated over the last three known annual turnovers.
At what times can telemarketers call me?
Under Article D223-9 of the Consumer Code, telephone canvassing for commercial prospecting is allowed only Monday to Friday (except public holidays), and only from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 8pm. A professional may not contact the same consumer more than four times within 30 calendar days. Breaches of Articles L223-1 to L223-5 can be fined administratively up to EUR 75,000 for individuals and EUR 375,000 for legal persons (Article L242-16).
Where can I report a problem with a trader?
SignalConso describes itself as a free public service that lets consumers report problems encountered with businesses, and it is administered by the DGCCRF (signal.conso.gouv.fr).

Official sources (accessed October 6, 2026)

Written by Yasin Baytürk, publisher of comparatif24.fr

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This guide is informational and does not constitute legal advice. Legal references were checked against the official sources listed above on October 6, 2026. For complex situations, consult a lawyer or a consumer association.