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What does Widerruf mean?

Widerruf (withdrawal, revocation) means something is taken back. You can, for example, withdraw from a contract you have just made.

der Widerruf · die Widerrufe (plural)

This works for many contracts made online, by phone or at your door. A reason is usually not needed.

The withdrawal notice (Widerrufsbelehrung) says how much time you have. If it is missing or wrong, you often have longer.

Withdraw in writing, for example by e-mail or letter, and say clearly that you are withdrawing.

An office can also revoke a decision, for example an approval. You can usually file a Widerspruch against that. The deadline is in the Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung.

Example sentence

Hiermit widerrufe ich den am 02.09.2026 geschlossenen Vertrag.

I hereby withdraw from the contract concluded on 02.09.2026.

What you can do

Keep proof that, and when, you withdrew. Send goods back as the withdrawal notice describes.

  • Rechnung A Rechnung (invoice) says how much you should pay for goods or a service, and by when.
  • Kündigung With a Kündigung (notice), one side ends a contract, for example a rental contract, a work contract or a subscription.
  • Widerspruch With a Widerspruch, you tell the office: I do not agree with this Bescheid.
  • Bewilligungsbescheid With a Bewilligungsbescheid (approval notice), an office says yes to your application and states what you get.
  • Frist A Frist is the time within which you must do something, for example reply or file a Widerspruch.