EU 2-Year Guarantee Rights Checker
Check if your product is still covered by the EU legal guarantee. All goods purchased in the EU come with a minimum 2-year legal guarantee. If the product was repaired under guarantee, the new right-to-repair rules add an additional year of coverage. Enter your purchase date and repair details to see your guarantee status, end date, and days remaining.
How the EU Guarantee Rights Checker Works
Under EU consumer protection law, specifically Directive 1999/44/EC on the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees, all goods sold to consumers within the European Union must conform to the contract of sale and are covered by a minimum legal guarantee of two years from the date of delivery. This is not an optional warranty offered by the manufacturer, it is a legal right that applies to every consumer purchase regardless of whether the seller mentions it. If a product develops a defect within two years of delivery that was not caused by misuse, the consumer has the right to have the product repaired or replaced free of charge, or to receive a price reduction or full refund if repair or replacement is not possible.
The EU right-to-repair directive introduces a significant enhancement to this guarantee framework. From July 2026, when a consumer chooses to repair a product that is within the legal guarantee period rather than requesting a replacement, the legal guarantee is extended by one additional year from the date the repair is completed. This creates a powerful incentive for both consumers and sellers to opt for repair over replacement. For example, if you purchased a washing machine on 1 January 2027 and it develops a fault that is repaired under guarantee on 15 June 2028, the original guarantee would have ended on 1 January 2029, but the repair extends it to 15 June 2029, giving you an extra six months of coverage. This checker calculates both the standard and extended guarantee end dates.
Several important nuances apply to the EU legal guarantee. In most EU member states, for the first year after delivery, the consumer does not need to prove that the defect existed at the time of delivery. The burden of proof is on the seller to demonstrate that the goods were in conformity when delivered. After the first year, some member states shift this burden to the consumer, who must then show that the defect is inherent to the product rather than caused by misuse. However, several member states have extended the reversed burden of proof to the full two-year period. Additionally, some EU countries offer longer guarantee periods than the minimum two years, with national laws providing up to five or six years of coverage in certain cases.
Understanding the difference between the legal guarantee and a commercial warranty is essential. The legal guarantee is a minimum right provided by EU law that the seller cannot reduce or waive. It covers defects that existed at the time of delivery, even if they only become apparent later. A commercial warranty, often called an extended warranty or manufacturer warranty, is an additional voluntary commitment by the manufacturer or seller that may cover different types of issues or extend the coverage period. Commercial warranties cannot replace or reduce the legal guarantee; they can only offer additional protection. When a seller says a product has a one-year warranty, the two-year EU legal guarantee still applies on top of that.
Key Guarantee Rules
Guarantee End = Purchase Date + 2 Years
Extended End = Original Guarantee End + 1 Year
(Under EU right-to-repair rules from July 2026)
Within guarantee: Free repair, free replacement, price reduction, or refund
First year: Seller bears burden of proof (defect presumed to have existed at delivery)
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the EU 2-year guarantee apply to all products?
The EU 2-year legal guarantee applies to all tangible goods purchased by consumers from professional sellers within the EU. This includes electronics, appliances, furniture, clothing, vehicles, and virtually any physical product. It also applies to goods with digital elements, such as smart devices. It does not apply to services, purely digital content without a physical medium, or purchases between private individuals.
What is the difference between the legal guarantee and a manufacturer warranty?
The legal guarantee is a mandatory right under EU law that lasts at least 2 years and covers defects that existed at delivery. The seller is responsible. A manufacturer warranty is a voluntary additional commitment that may cover more issues or last longer. The manufacturer warranty can never replace or reduce the legal guarantee. You always have both protections, and you can choose which one to invoke when making a claim.
How does the 1-year extension after repair work?
Under EU right-to-repair rules from July 2026, if your product is repaired under the legal guarantee, the guarantee is extended by 1 year from the date the repair is completed. This applies to the entire product, not just the repaired part. For example, if your guarantee ends on 1 March 2028 and the repair is completed on 15 January 2028, the new guarantee end date becomes 15 January 2029.
What can I claim under the EU legal guarantee?
If your product has a defect covered by the legal guarantee, you can request free repair or free replacement as a first remedy. If repair or replacement is impossible, disproportionate, or not completed within a reasonable time, you can request a price reduction or full refund. The seller bears the cost of repair or replacement including shipping, labour, and parts. You are not required to accept a store credit instead of a refund.
Do I need to keep the receipt to claim the guarantee?
While keeping the receipt is strongly recommended as it proves the purchase date and seller, EU law does not strictly require the original receipt. Any proof of purchase can be used, including bank or credit card statements, email confirmations, delivery receipts, or warranty cards. The key is establishing when and from whom the product was purchased. Digital receipts stored in email or apps are equally valid.