Buying things from Europe after 1 January 2021

There may be changes to things like your consumer rights and how much tax you need to pay when you buy products or services from the EU (external link), Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland from 1 January 2021. 

Consumer rights 

Your consumer rights (external link) will be the same when you buy things from companies based in the UK. 

Check the terms and conditions before you buy. Contact the UK European Consumer Centre (external link) for help with problems buying from an EU country. 

You may have to deal with the court system in the country you bought from to get compensation.  

Making payments

You may be charged more for using credit or debit cards to pay for things in euros when you buy from companies in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway. Payments may also take longer. 

Package holidays bought from EU companies 

When you buy package holidays from EU businesses you will be covered if the company goes bust, as long as the business operates in or actively sells to people in the UK. 

If they are not established in the UK or do not obviously direct their business at UK customers, check the terms and conditions to make sure you know what will happen if the company goes bust. Check with the company if you are not sure where they are based. 

For further information: