What the cooling-off period allows: Your rights as a buyer and tenant

In the dynamic Dutch market of 2026, the “cooling-off period” is one of the most powerful tools for consumer protection. Whether it's buying a home, concluding a new energy contract or buying via the internet, the legislator has realized that consumers can make decisions they later regret under the pressure of aggressive marketing or an overheated market. The cooling-off period, also known as the cooling off period, is intended to restore the balance between buyer and seller. It provides a legal window in which an agreement can be terminated without giving a reason and without penalty.

Understanding the exact scope of these periods is essential. Many people think that the cooling-off period is a universal right that applies to everything, but the rules vary widely by sector. In this article, we analyse exactly what the cooling-off period allows in the most important segments of the Dutch economy in 2026.

The legal cooling-off period when buying a home

In the real estate sector, the cooling-off period is an essential part of the buying process. Since the introduction of the written requirement, a purchase agreement for a home must always be recorded in writing. As soon as the buyer has received a copy of the deed signed by both parties, the statutory cooling-off period commences.

In 2026, this period will still be three days, at least two of which must not be a Saturday, Sunday or a recognized holiday.

What exactly does this period allow the buyer?

• Dissolution without reason: The buyer can cancel the purchase without explaining why. It doesn't matter if the buyer has found another home or is simply unsure about the color of the bricks.
• Protection against impulse buying: In a market where viewings are often short and bids have to be made quickly, this offers the buyer the space to consider the financeability and condition of the home again.
• No penalty: In contrast to cancelling the purchase on the basis of funding reservations (which often require supporting documents), cancelling within the cooling-off period costs the buyer nothing, except for any notary fees incurred for drawing up the deed.

Consumer shopping: Online and at the door

The most well-known form of cooling-off period is the “withdrawal period” for remote purchases. In 2026, where e-commerce is the standard, this right will be more extensive than ever. The legal period here is 14 days.

This right allows consumers to:

• Try out the product: You can review the product as you would in a physical store. You can try on a piece of clothing or remove a device from its packaging to view it.
• Returning in case of “bad purchase”: If the product actually disappoints or does not meet the expectations set by the webshop, it may be returned without giving a reason.
• Full refund: The seller is obliged to refund the full purchase amount including shipping costs for the return shipment within 14 days of cancellation.

It is important to know that the cooling-off period for services starts on the day the agreement is concluded, while for products, it only starts on the day that the consumer physically receives the package.

Financial services and insurance

With complex financial products, such as life insurance, personal loans or investment products, the impact of a wrong decision is significant. That is why longer reflection periods often apply here in 2026.

Most insurances and loans have a period of 14 calendar days. For life insurance and individual pension products, this has even been extended to 30 days. This period allows consumers to compare policy conditions in detail with the competition. It offers the possibility to call in an advisor to check whether the product actually matches the customer's risk profile. If the consumer decides to opt out of the product, the provider must refund the premiums already paid, although a pro-rata fee may sometimes be charged for the days that the coverage has actually run.

Energy contracts and subscriptions

Since the reforms in the energy market, protection against aggressive sales at the door or over the phone has been tightened. For energy contracts, a statutory cooling-off period of 14 days applies in 2026.

This period is crucial because consumers are often overwhelmed with “unique offers” that, upon closer inspection, are more expensive due to hidden fixed rights costs or unfavourable variable rates. The cooling-off period allows consumers to calmly compare the rates with the current contract terms. A unique aspect here is that if the delivery has already started during the cooling-off period (at the customer's request), in case of cancellation, the customer only has to pay for the energy that was actually consumed until the time of termination.

The exceptions: When is there no cooling-off period?

Although the cooling-off period allows a lot, it is not a universal “get out of jail free” card. In 2026, the law also clearly defines where the right to prevent abuse ends.

There is usually no cooling-off period for:

• Customization: Products that are specifically made to consumer specifications (for example, a custom-made case or engraved jewelry).
• Perishable goods: Food or flowers.
• Hygienic products: Products whose seal has been broken (such as underwear, cosmetics or medical devices)
• Emergency repairs: If you call a plumber for a leak and the work has been carried out immediately, you cannot invoke the cooling-off period for the service provided afterwards.
• Leisure activities: Tickets for concerts, flights or hotel stays booked for a specific date.

Seller's obligations: The duty to provide information

A crucial legal aspect in 2026 is the professional party's duty to provide information. If the seller or landlord does not clearly inform the consumer of the existence of the cooling-off period and how it can be invoked, the cooling-off period will be automatically extended.

When buying a consumer, the cooling-off period can even be extended to a maximum of one year in the absence of the correct information. This is a severe sanction that ensures that companies organize their processes very accurately. As a buyer, this right allows you to terminate the agreement even months after a purchase if you have never been formally informed about your right of withdrawal. This underlines the importance of “fine print”, not only for the buyer but certainly also for the seller.

The cooling-off period is the ultimate safety valve in 2026. It allows consumers to participate in the economy with confidence, knowing that a hasty decision can in most cases still be remedied.