Q:  What are my rights with regard to purchasing goods or services now that the UK has left the EU?

A:For items or services bought by someone living in Northern, from a business within the UK or Northern Ireland, consumer rights are exactly the same as they were before the UK left the EU.  European laws designed to protect consumers have already been written into UK legislation.

Q:  What are my rights with regard to purchasing goods or services from outside the UK now that the UK has left the EU?

A:If the company you are buying from is based in the EU and you live in Northern Ireland, it is recommended that you check their terms and conditions, complaints process and refunds policy in advance. The laws that apply to these purchases may be different from UK law.

Q: What about online shopping?

A:If the company you are buying from is based in the EU, it is recommended that you check their terms and conditions, complaints process and refunds policy in advance. The laws that apply to these purchases may be different from UK law.

If you are shopping online and are unsure where the business is based, you should check with the business and read its terms and conditions.

For added protection, make all or part of the payment using your credit card.  If a problem occurs with your order (such as a fault or non-delivery), by law the credit card company must help you get your money back.

Source: nidirect – Financial-Services-Banking-and-Consumer-Issues-eu-exit-information

Q: What about buying online from a UK seller if I live in the South?

If you live in RoI and are buying online from a UK retailer you still have consumer rights,however these rights will be set down in UK law and not EU law. The legal guarantees you have under EU law may no longer apply post Brexit.

Source: Citizens Information – Buying online from the UK after Brexit

Cross-Border issues

For goods or services purchased from within Northern Ireland, the UK International Consumer Centre(opens in new tab) offers advice on consumer rights when buying goods and services from a European country. They can also liaise directly with a trader in another European country on your behalf if necessary. The service is free and confidential. The European Consumer Centre Ireland(opens in new tab) offers the same service for goods or services purchased from within the Republic of Ireland.

See also

Financial services, banking and consumer issues – EU exit information | nidirect(opens in a new tab)

Consumer Council(opens in new tab)

Buying online from the UK after Brexit(opens in new tab) (citizensinformation.ie)

European Consumer Council, Dublin(opens in new tab)

If you have had a problem with a purchase of goods or services from another EU country, please contact The European Consumer Centre(opens in new tab) on 00353 1 8090600 or at info@eccdublin.ie(opens in new tab).  For information on your consumer rights when buying something in another European country, see www.eccdublin.ie.(opens in new tab)

The European Consumer Centre(opens in new tab) is funded by the European Commission and the National Consumer Agency.

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the European Consumer Centre cannot be held responsible for matters arising from any errors or omissions contained in this publication. The information provided is intended as a guide only and not as a legal interpretation.

Page last checked in May 2022