It depends on what you offer as a thank-you gift.
There is no right of withdrawal for donations alone. For goods or services provided to consumers, your supporters generally have a 14-day right of withdrawal after receiving the thank-you gifts or after the contract is concluded (for crowdfunding: upon the project’s completion). For personalized products, perishable goods, and event tickets with a fixed date, withdrawal is excluded by law.
Starting in June 2026, the EU cancellation button will also be required. Startnext will provide this for you.
The best thing to do is to discuss your specific situation with our AI assistant, NEXA.
Why is that?
With each contribution, your backer enters into a separate contract with you, not with Startnext. As soon as this contract involves payment—that is, when consideration is agreed upon in exchange for money—and is entered into with a consumer, German distance selling law applies. This includes, in particular, Sections 312c et seq. of the German Civil Code (BGB) with the statutory right of withdrawal.
In contrast, when donations are made purely as gifts without any consideration in return, this constitutes a gift agreement under Section 516 of the German Civil Code (BGB). There is no statutory right of revocation in such cases.
If you're not flying from Germany
Our recommendation: Treat all backers according to the guidelines in this article. This makes things easier for you, is fair to your backers, and keeps you on the safe side legally, no matter which country you’re based in.
Which expressions of gratitude can be revoked
Pure donation
A pure donation is a contribution given without expecting anything in return, such as a donation to a nonprofit organization.
Right of withdrawal: No
Deadline: None
Background and Note: As a general rule, this constitutes a gift under Section 516 of the German Civil Code (BGB). There is no distance contract and no right of withdrawal. A claim for restitution is possible only in exceptional cases, such as gross ingratitude or impoverishment.
Standard merchandise
These include, for example, books, CDs, T-shirts, or mass-produced items.
Right of withdrawal: Yes
Deadline: 14 days from receipt of the merchandise
Note: This is a standard distance sales contract pursuant to Section 312g(1) of the German Civil Code (BGB). The cancellation period begins upon receipt of the goods, not upon receipt of the order confirmation.
Service
These include, for example, workshops, coaching sessions, or consulting services.
Right of withdrawal: Yes
Deadline: 14 days from the date the contract is signed. For crowdfunding: upon completion of the project.
Legal Basis and Note: Section 312g(1) of the German Civil Code (BGB) applies. If you begin the service before the deadline expires with the supporter’s express consent, the right of withdrawal may expire prematurely pursuant to Section 356(4) of the German Civil Code (BGB).
Digital content available for download
These include, for example, e-books, movies, songs, and digital courses.
Right of withdrawal: Subject to conditions
Time limit: 14 days, but may expire earlier
Legal Basis and Notice: Pursuant to Section 356(5) of the German Civil Code (BGB), the right of withdrawal expires as soon as the download begins and the supporter has expressly agreed that the right of withdrawal thereby expires.
Personalized products
These include, for example, products with personalized engravings or custom-made products.
Right of withdrawal: No
Deadline: None
Legal Basis and Note: Pursuant to Section 312g(2)(1) of the German Civil Code (BGB), there is no right of withdrawal. The customization must be genuine. A choice of three colors is not sufficient for this purpose.
Perishable goods
These include, for example, food or flowers.
Right of withdrawal: No
Deadline: None
Legal Basis and Note: Pursuant to Section 312g(2)(2) of the German Civil Code (BGB), there is no right of withdrawal.
Sealed merchandise for hygiene or health reasons
These include, for example, cosmetics and toothbrushes.
Right of withdrawal: Only before opening the seal
Deadline: 14 days, provided the seal is intact
Legal Basis and Note: Pursuant to Section 312g(2)(3) of the German Civil Code (BGB), the right of withdrawal no longer applies once the seal has been broken.
Sealed audio or video recordings and software
These include, for example, physical CDs, DVDs, or software with a seal.
Right of withdrawal: Only before opening the seal
Deadline: 14 days, provided the seal is intact
Legal Basis and Note: Section 312g(2)(6) of the German Civil Code (BGB) applies.
Leisure and Event Tickets
These include, for example, concert tickets, festival tickets, or workshops with set dates.
Right of withdrawal: No
Deadline: None
Legal Basis and Note: Pursuant to Section 312g(2)(9) of the German Civil Code (BGB), there is no right of withdrawal if a specific date or time period has been agreed upon.
Newspapers and magazines
This refers to individual issues, not subscriptions.
Right of withdrawal: No
Deadline: None
Legal Basis and Note: Section 312g(2)(7) of the German Civil Code (BGB) applies.
Subscription or membership
This includes ongoing contractual relationships, such as a monthly podcast subscription.
Right of withdrawal: Yes
Deadline: 14 days from the date the contract is signed. For crowdfunding: upon completion of the project
Note: In addition to the cancellation option, a termination button may be required under Section 312k of the German Civil Code (BGB).
Support between companies
This applies if the supporter is acting in a commercial capacity, that is, as a business owner under Section 14 of the German Civil Code (BGB).
Right of withdrawal: No
Deadline: None
Note: There is no consumer protection and no statutory right of withdrawal. A contractual right of withdrawal through Startnext may apply separately.
Example
Meet Lena. Lena raised 8,000 euros on Startnext for her children’s book *The Nameless Dragon*. The campaign is going well, the funding goal has been met, the books have been printed, and the thank-you gifts have been sent out.
Two months later, Lena receives three emails:
- Anna wants to return the book. She just received it and realized that her niece is already too old for *Drachen*.
- Ben had ordered the personalized version, which features his son as the hero. He, too, wants to step down.
- Clara simply gave 50 euros without expecting anything in return, and now she'd rather have the money back.
Three supporters, the same project, the same platform. Yet these are three different cases.
Lena is generally expected to actually repay the amount only to Anna. With Ben, the product is personalized. With Clara, it is a pure donation with no strings attached.
Here's how to do it
You generally don't have to worry about anything until the project is complete. Just focus on your campaign. The right of withdrawal only applies once the project is successful.
It is important to note that the law requires written notification on a durable medium in accordance with Section 126b of the German Civil Code (BGB). An email with a PDF attachment is sufficient for this purpose. You do not need to print anything out or include anything in the package.
For digital content or services provided in advance: Send the notice. If you wish to actively shorten the right of withdrawal, you must obtain consent in advance.
In practice, many project creators choose not to provide formal instructions at all. In such cases, backers generally have 12 months and 14 days to withdraw their support under Section 356(3) of the German Civil Code (BGB). That may sound like a long time, but in our experience, it rarely poses a practical problem for crowdfunding projects.
Anyone who fails to fulfill their duty to provide information therefore risks, above all, a longer cancellation period. Many new businesses deliberately prioritize trust, good communication, and goodwill over bureaucratic red tape. This is especially true when the thank-you gifts are personalized, perishable, or tied to a specific date.
The safest approach is still to prepare the instructions and send them by email once the project is complete.
Sample Cancellation Policy
We have translated the legally required cancellation policy at https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgbeg/art_253anlage_1.html into the informal "you" form. We assume no liability for the translation.
Right of Withdrawal
You have the right to cancel this contract within fourteen days without giving any reason.
The cancellation period is fourteen days:
- In the case of a sales contract for goods: from the day on which you, or a third party designated by you who is not the carrier, took possession of the goods.
- For a contract covering multiple items in a single order that are delivered separately: from the day on which you, or a third party designated by you (other than the carrier), took possession of the last item.
- For a contract for services or digital content: from the date the contract is concluded.
To exercise your right of withdrawal, you must notify us
[Name / Company of the starter]
[Full address]
[Phone number, if available]
[Email address]
Notify us of your decision to cancel this contract by means of a clear statement, such as a letter or email. You may use the attached sample cancellation form for this purpose, but this is not required.
To meet the deadline for cancellation, it is sufficient to send the notice of cancellation before the cancellation period expires.
Consequences of the revocation
If you cancel this contract, we must refund all payments we have received from you, including delivery costs, without delay and no later than fourteen days from the day on which we receive notice of your cancellation of this contract.
This does not apply to any additional costs resulting from your choice of a delivery method other than the cheapest standard delivery option we offer.
We will use the same payment method for this refund that you used for the original transaction, unless we have expressly agreed otherwise with you. Under no circumstances will you be charged any fees in connection with this refund.
We may withhold the refund until we have received the goods back or until you have provided proof that you have returned the goods, whichever comes first.
You must return or hand over the goods to us immediately, and in any case no later than fourteen days from the date on which you notify us of your withdrawal from this contract. The deadline is met if you send the goods before the fourteen-day period expires.
Option A: You are responsible for the direct costs of returning the goods.
Option B: We will cover the cost of returning the goods.
You are only liable for any loss in value of the goods if such loss is attributable to handling that was not necessary to determine the nature, characteristics, and functioning of the goods.
Additional notes depending on the thank-you gift
If you offer appropriate rewards, add the corresponding module to the instructions.
For downloadable digital content:
“The right of withdrawal expires prematurely if we have begun performing the contract, after you have expressly agreed that we may begin performance before the end of the withdrawal period, and you have confirmed your understanding that, by giving your consent, you lose your right of withdrawal upon the start of performance.”
For personalized products:
“The right of withdrawal does not apply to contracts for the delivery of goods that are not prefabricated and for the manufacture of which an individual selection or determination by the consumer is decisive, or that are clearly tailored to the consumer’s personal needs (Section 312g(2)(1) of the German Civil Code (BGB)).”
For event tickets with a fixed date:
“The right of withdrawal does not apply to contracts for the provision of services related to leisure activities if the contract specifies a specific date or time period for the provision of such services (Section 312g(2)(9) of the German Civil Code (BGB)).”
Sample Cancellation Form
We have translated the legally required cancellation form into the "Du" form at https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgbeg/art_253anlage_2.html. We assume no liability for the translation.
If you wish to cancel the contract, please fill out this form and return it.
To:
[Name / Company, Address, Email Address of the Starter]
I/we hereby cancel the contract I/we entered into for the purchase of the following goods or the provision of the following services:
[Name of the thank-you gift / service]
Ordered on: [Date] Received on: [Date] Name: [Name] Address: [Address] Signature (only for paper notifications): [Signature] Date: [Date]
Note
Startnext is not a contracting party. You enter into the contract directly with your backers. You decide whether to cancel the transaction.
This FAQ is not intended as legal or tax advice. It is meant to provide general guidance. For complex individual cases—such as personalized products, digital services, or international supporters—please seek individual legal advice.
Please respect privacy. Never ask for sensitive information, such as copies of ID or bank account details, via email during the cancellation process. A clear statement from your supporter is sufficient.
By default, the supporter is responsible for return shipping costs, but only if this is clearly stated in your cancellation policy. Otherwise, you are responsible for them.