As of July 10, 2026, thousands of Greek e-shops are likely non-compliant with the law—and most owners do not even know it yet.
The new Law 5317/2026, published on July 10, introduces a major obligation for every online store operating in Greece: consumers must now be able to exercise their right of withdrawal directly within the e-shop, through a specific, prominent, and easily accessible digital function. This is the so-called "withdrawal button".
What exactly does the law provide
Law 5317/2026 integrates European Directive (EU) 2023/2673 into Greek legislation, adding the new Article 3za to Law 2251/1994 on consumer protection.
The regulation applies to all distance contracts concluded via a website, application, or other digital interface for which the consumer has a right of withdrawal. In simple terms: if you sell online and your customer has the right to return the product within 14 days, this new obligation applies to you.
The critical point is the method of exercising this right. Until now, most e-shops handled withdrawals via an email to customer service, a contact form, or a phone call. This is no longer sufficient. Withdrawal must be possible directly through the website or app itself—just as easily as placing the order was.
When does the obligation begin
Here lies the most critical detail: there is no transitional period. According to the update from the Greek eCommerce Association (GR.EC.A), the obligation applies from July 10, 2026, the date of the law's publication, as no subsequent entry into force is provided for this specific section.
This means that at the very moment you are reading these lines, the obligation is already in force.
What this means in practice
For consumers, the change is positive: returns become as easy as purchases. Less hassle, fewer "email us and we will reply" hurdles, and more transparency.
For e-shops, the situation is more complex. Technical implementation is required: a withdrawal function integrated within the store's environment, prominent and accessible, which logs the consumer's request in a reliable manner for both parties. Depending on the e-shop's platform, this could range from activating a ready-made module to custom development.
GR.EC.A has announced that more detailed updates on the implementation specifics will follow. Until then, the safest step for every e-shop owner is a simple check: can your customer withdraw through your website today, with just a few clicks, without emails or phone calls? If the answer is no, there is a compliance gap that needs to be addressed.
The bigger picture: compliance is not a one-off project
The withdrawal button is not an isolated incident. In 2026 alone, Greek e-shops have had to adapt to new requirements regarding legal warranty information, new rules on environmental claims, and changes to the EU customs framework for low-value parcels.
The conclusion for anyone managing an online store is clear: compliance in e-commerce is not a one-time project completed during site setup. It is an ongoing process that requires keeping track of legal and technical developments and updating the platform in time, before a compliance gap becomes a liability.
If you are unsure where your e-shop stands regarding this new obligation, get in touch with us. At Etherlogic, we help online stores stay technically and operationally up to date—from compliance to AI integration.
Source: Greek eCommerce Association (GR.EC.A) — "Mandatory 'withdrawal button' in force for online stores", where the relevant Government Gazette (FEK) is also available.
