What are my rights if I can’t access a foreign website (geoblocking)?
Webshops are not allowed to discriminate against you based on where you live. This means that throughout the EU, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, you can’t be blocked from using offers or lower prices in another country. You have the right to shop online anywhere and benefit from the prices and conditions available there.
What is geoblocking?
Geoblocking happens when you find a great deal on a foreign online shop—like a German website—but when you try to buy, you’re redirected to the Dutch version instead. This means you lose access to the original offer, and different prices or conditions apply. Geoblocking is unfair and not allowed. As a consumer, you have the right to access prices and offers from other European countries.
- Geoblocking means treating consumers differently based on their nationality, residence, or location. Signs of geoblocking include:
- Being denied access to a foreign website or app because of your location;
- Being redirected to a different version of the site or app without your consent;
- Being prevented from buying certain products or services;
- Facing different prices or sales conditions compared to consumers in other countries;
- Having payment methods from other countries rejected.
More information
More information
The new geo-blocking rules that took effect on 3 December 2018 ensure that you can no longer be discriminated against based on your nationality, place of residence, or place of establishment. As of this date, you can easily compare prices and buy across borders under the same terms of sale that apply to consumers in the country you are buying from.
#geoblocking-rules
A webshop may not refuse sale to consumers based on nationality, place of residence, or location. As of 3 December 2018, you have the right to access:
- foreign webshops;
- pricing used in that country;
- terms of delivery applicable in that country;
- terms of payment applicable in that country.
#geoblocking-online-discrimination
Webshops may not automatically redirect you to another version of the webshop. If a consumer from the Netherlands wishes to make a purchase from a Belgian webshop (webshop.be), the webshop may not redirect you without your consent to the Dutch webshop (webshop.nl). The webshop must request your explicit permission, for example via a pop-up webpage asking you if you would like to visit the Dutch webshop.
If you give permission to be redirected to the Dutch webshop, you must also have the option to return to webshop.be. The webshop can do this by offering, for example, a 'select country' option, denoted with flags.
#geoblocking-redirect-webshop
Webshops may use different pricing and terms of sale. It is therefore possible that a product for sale on 'webshop.de' is cheaper than it is in the Dutch webshop ('webshop.nl').
#geoblocking-different-pricing-and-terms-of-sale
Entrepreneurs are free to decide which payment options are offered in their webshops. As a foreign consumer, you must be offered the same payment options as local consumers, and payment may not be refused based on a consumer's location.
#geoblocking-required-payment-methods-webshop
The webshop may not refuse your payment based on your location, and is obligated to make the full order process available to every consumer, regardless of their location.
#geoblocking-refuse-payment-based-on-location
The webshop must treat all consumers equally. If local consumers are not subject to order limits, these may not apply to foreign consumers either. This is seen as unequal treatment, which is prohibited as of 3 December 2018.
#geoblocking-order-limit-foreign-consumers
Some webshops designate a delivery area. Consumers living outside this area are not entitled to delivery of goods ordered from the webshop. The retailer must offer consumers the option of having their order delivered to an alternative location within the designated delivery area. The retailer is also obligated to clearly state the terms of delivery on their website and during the order process, so that consumers are aware of their position.
#geoblocking-delivery-from-foreign-webshop
The geo-blocking rules that went into effect on 3 December apply to both private and business consumers.
#geoblocking-
The geo-blocking rules that took effect on 3 December 2018 apply to both products and (digital) services. This means that cheaper, foreign hosting and streaming services may be used from this date.
#geoblocking-ban-digital-services
The geo-blocking ban does not apply to all services. The exceptions are:
- Non-economic services of general interest;
- Financial services;
- Electronic services;
- Transport services;
- Temporary employment services;
- Healthcare services;
- Audiovisual services;
- Gambling activities;
- Public authority services;
- Private security services;
- Notary and bailiff services.
Domestic purchases, i.e. when a Dutch consumer purchases a product or service from a Dutch webshop, are also exempt. The ban applies only to purchases from foreign (web)shops.
#geoblocking-ban-exceptions
The geo-blocking regulation applies to sales activities within the 27 EU member states, as well as Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Webshops that are not based in one of the aforementioned countries are not obligated to comply with the rules of the geo-blocking regulation.
#geoblocking-ban-webshops-outside-the-EU
If you believe you are a victim of geo-blocking and have been discriminated against based on your nationality, place of residence, or place of establishment, you can file a complaint with the European Consumer Center.
#geoblocking-online-discrimination-file-complaint
How we can help you
The European Consumer Centre informs you about your consumer rights in the EU, provides free legal advice for cross-border disputes, and offers mediation if you and a seller can’t reach an agreement. On our website, you’ll find clear information, practical tips, and sample letters to help you take the right steps.