Can you return items bought in a physical shop in Denmark?
Exchange and return in stores
Short answer
The 14-day right of withdrawal applies to online shopping, not to goods you buy over the counter. In a physical shop you only have a right to exchange or return an item if the shop chooses to offer it, and the shop sets the conditions, for example with an exchange receipt. If you order on the web but pay in the store when you collect (click and collect), the right of withdrawal does not apply either. A fault that was there when you bought the item is a separate matter: then the 2-year right to complain applies.
Why
- The 14-day rule is for distance selling only.
- Shops decide their own exchange terms.
- Faulty goods are always covered for 2 years.
Details
Paying in the store for a click and collect order removes the right of withdrawal.
Tip
Ask for an exchange receipt at the till when you buy a gift.
What may differ
Exchange periods and conditions differ from shop to shop and can be longer around Christmas.
Common misconception
Many believe Danish law gives you 14 days to return anything you buy.
What actually happens
The 14 days only cover online and other distance purchases.
People also ask
- How long do you have to cancel an online purchase?
- What is the difference between guarantee and right to complain?
- How long is a gift card valid in Denmark?
Sources
This answer is for reference only. Postal prices and services change, so check the postal operator before you send.
Practical infoRelated questions
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Can you get your money back from your bank if a webshop does not deliver?
When you pay online with a payment card such as Dankort, your bank can move the money back if the item never arrives, you get the wrong item or you were charged more than agreed.
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Who can help if you have a problem with a shop in another EU country?
Forbruger Europa is the European Consumer Centre in Denmark and is part of the Danish Competition and Consumer Authority.
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How do you complain about a purchase in Denmark if the shop says no?
You must first complain to the seller, preferably in writing, and the seller must have rejected your claim fully or partly.
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What is e-mærket on Danish webshops?
e-mærket is a non-profit organisation that has certified Danish webshops since 2000 and has more than 2,000 members as of November 2026.