Bedenktermijn

Bedenktermijn, often translated as “cooling‑off period,” is a legally defined interval during which a consumer may dissolve a contract without penalty. In the Netherlands and other EU member states the concept is anchored in consumer protection law, notably the Dutch Civil Code (Burgerlijk Wetboek) and the EU Directive 2011/83/EU on consumer rights.

The standard beden­ktermijn lasts fourteen calendar days for distance and off‑premises contracts, such as online purchases, telephone orders, or door‑to‑door sales. The period begins on the day the consumer receives the goods, or, for services, on the day the contract is concluded. Within this timeframe the consumer may notify the seller of the decision to withdraw, after which the seller must reimburse all payments, including standard delivery costs, typically within fourteen days of receipt of the notice.

Certain contracts are excluded from the beden­ktermijn. These include bespoke goods, perishable items, sealed products that lose their value after opening, accommodation services booked for a specific date, and financial or insurance contracts where the consumer has expressly acknowledged the waiver of the cooling‑off right.

The beden­ktermijn serves to balance the information asymmetry between sellers and consumers, allowing a reflective decision after purchase. Critics note that the mandatory period can increase transaction costs for businesses and that awareness among consumers remains uneven. Nonetheless, it remains a cornerstone of European consumer protection, reinforcing the principle that contracts should be entered into with informed and voluntary consent.