What warranty do I get on electronics in the EU?
Short answer
In the EU, the seller must give you a legal guarantee of at least two years on new electronics. If the product is faulty, the seller has to repair or replace it, and otherwise give a price reduction or refund. A manufacturer's warranty is voluntary and comes on top of these rights.
Legal guarantee vs manufacturer warranty
The legal guarantee is a right you have against the seller, the shop you bought from. It is free, set by law and cannot be removed by the shop's terms. It covers defects that existed when the product was delivered, not damage you caused or normal wear.
A manufacturer's warranty is a voluntary promise by the brand. The brand decides how long it lasts and what it covers. It can be useful, for example if it runs longer than two years, but it never replaces the legal guarantee.
What the seller has to do
If a product turns out to be faulty within the guarantee period, the EU rules set out these steps.
- You contact the seller, not the manufacturer, to use the legal guarantee.
- First step: repair or replacement, free of charge and within a reasonable time.
- If that is not possible or does not work: a price reduction or a refund.
- Keep your receipt or order confirmation as proof of purchase.
Details differ by country
Two years is the EU minimum. EU countries may give consumers more, and details differ. One example is the burden of proof: for at least the first year, EU rules assume a defect already existed at delivery, so you don't have to prove it. How long this applies, and what happens after, depends on the country.
For the rules where you live, check your national consumer centre or the European Consumer Centre in your country.
This page is general information, not legal advice.
Buying online and on marketplaces
When you buy online from a business in the EU, you can usually also withdraw from the purchase within 14 days of delivery without giving a reason. That is separate from the guarantee.
On marketplaces, check who the seller is. The legal guarantee applies when you buy from a business, not from a private person, and enforcing your rights against a seller outside the EU can be harder.
| Legal guarantee | Manufacturer warranty | |
|---|---|---|
| Who gives it | The seller | The manufacturer |
| Required by law | Yes | No, voluntary |
| Minimum length | At least 2 years for new goods | Set by the manufacturer |
| What it covers | Defects present at delivery | Whatever its terms say |
Questions and answers
Is an extended warranty worth it?
In the first two years, defects are already covered by the legal guarantee. An extended warranty mainly makes sense if it clearly runs longer or covers things like accidental damage. Read the terms before you pay.
Can the shop send me to the manufacturer?
For the legal guarantee, the seller is responsible. You may choose to use the manufacturer's warranty if that is easier, but the shop cannot refuse your legal guarantee claim just because a warranty exists.