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§ 356a BGB is the new paragraph in the German Civil Code that binds online shops to the withdrawal button. Here's the history, wording summary, and why it must not be mixed with § 312k (cancellation button).
What is § 356a BGB?
§ 356a BGB (new, effective 19 June 2026) obliges businesses to provide a "withdrawal function" in online interfaces — labelled "Vertrag widerrufen" (withdraw contract), permanently available, prominent, easily accessible. Legal basis: EU Directive 2023/2673.
(1) Withdrawal function
"Vertrag widerrufen" button, permanent, prominent, accessible
(2)-(3) Capture & confirmation
Name, contract ID, comms channel; "Widerruf bestätigen" as second step
(4) Receipt confirmation
Immediate, on durable medium
(5) Deadline compliance
Met by timely sending
Key point: § 312k BGB (cancellation button, since 1 July 2022) and § 356a BGB (withdrawal button, from 19 June 2026) are two separate obligations.
Multiple law firms confirm: a unified button is not permitted. Shops with subscriptions AND one-time purchases need two separate buttons.
Placement
Prominent in footer + customer account area (IT-Recht Kanzlei recommendation)
Exact label
"Vertrag widerrufen" — no deviations like "return" or "cancellation"
Reason never mandatory
Withdrawal reason may be asked but not enforced
Audit trail required
Timestamp + PDF confirmation as burden of proof
Revoka delivers all requirements out-of-the-box. No-code installation.