# Consumer rights: angrerett, reklamasjon and garanti

Angrerett (right of withdrawal) gives 14 days to cancel an online purchase, reklamasjon (right to complain) gives 2–5 years to complain, and garanti (guarantee) is an extra. Here is how to use your rights.

Canonical: https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/forbrukerrettigheter-angrerett-reklamasjon
Language: en
Publisher: SamfunnPrep
Author: Hlib Suslov
Published: 2026-06-24T15:54:59.14+00:00
Modified: 2026-10-07T20:42:06.987484+00:00
AI use policy: https://samfunnprep.no/ai-policy.txt

## Key takeaways

- Angrerett: 14 days online The angrerett (right of withdrawal) gives 14 days to cancel online buys and sales away from a shop, but not normal shopping in a shop.
- Reklamasjon: 2 or 5 years You can complain about faults for two years, and five years for goods meant to last long; faults in the first two years are assumed to be the seller's fault.
- Garanti is only an extra Garanti (guarantee) is a voluntary promise on top of the law – do not let an expired guarantee stop you using your free right to complain.

Angrerett (right of withdrawal), reklamasjon (right to complain) and garanti (guarantee) are three different things. Angrerett gives you 14 days to cancel an online purchase. Reklamasjon gives you two – and often five – years to complain about a product with a fault. Garanti is an extra that the seller gives voluntarily. Knowing the difference can save you a lot of money.

Many newcomers mix up these three rights, and dishonest sellers take advantage of that. This guide explains **angrerett**, **reklamasjon** and **garanti** one by one, shows the classic trap that many people fall into, and tells you where to get free help if you disagree with the seller. The rules are based on Norwegian consumer law.

## Angrerett, reklamasjon and garanti – what is the difference?

In short:

- **Angrerett** (right of withdrawal) = the right to **change your mind** after a purchase made online or away from a shop, with no reason needed.
- **Reklamasjon** (right to complain) = the right to **complain** if the product has a **fault or defect**.
- **Garanti** (guarantee) = a **voluntary promise** from the seller that comes **in addition** to your legal rights.

The first two are **legal rights** that you have for free. The last one is something the seller chooses to give. Below we take them one at a time.

## Angrerett: 14 days to cancel an online purchase

The **angrerett** (right of withdrawal) gives you **14 days** to cancel a purchase – without giving any reason. But it only applies in certain situations:

- **It applies** to **online shopping** and other **distance sales**, and to sales made **away from a fixed shop** (for example door-to-door sales or phone sales).
- **It does NOT apply** when you shop in a **normal shop**. When shops offer the right to exchange goods, that is a **voluntary** scheme from the shop, not a legal right.

The time limit is 14 days from when you received the product. If the seller did not tell you about the angrerett, the limit is extended to **up to 12 months**. Some goods are **not covered**, among them custom-made goods, sealed hygiene products you have opened, and digital content you have started to use.

## Reklamasjon: two or five years to complain

**Reklamasjon** (right to complain) is your right to complain if the product has a **defect** – that is, a fault that is not caused by normal wear or your own use. Under the **forbrukerkjøpsloven** (Consumer Purchases Act):

- **Two years** as the main rule.
- **Five years** if the product is meant to last **much longer** than two years – this usually applies to white goods, furniture, mobile phones and cars.

You must complain **within a reasonable time** after you discovered the fault, and this limit is **never shorter than two months**. An important point that many people do not know: if you discover a fault during the **first two years**, the main rule is that the fault is assumed to have been there from the start and that the **seller is responsible** – unless the seller can prove otherwise. (This rule was extended from six months to two years when the law was changed in 2024.)

When you make a complaint, the seller must first offer **repair or replacement** (a fix or a new product). If that does not help, you may have the right to a **price reduction** or to **cancel** the purchase and get your money back.

## Garanti: a voluntary extra – not a replacement

A **garanti** (guarantee) is a promise the seller or producer gives **voluntarily**, for example a "two-year guarantee". A guarantee must always give you **better** rights than the law – it can never **weaken** your right to complain. So the guarantee comes **on top** of the reklamasjon, not instead of it.

## The classic trap: garanti vs reklamasjon

Here is the trap many people fall into: you buy an expensive phone with a **two-year guarantee**. After two years it stops working, the shop says "the guarantee has run out", and you think you have to buy a new one.

But the phone is a product meant to last longer than two years, so you have a **five-year right to complain** – completely free, no matter what the guarantee says. So many people pay for an "extended guarantee" they do not really need, or give up a complaint they would have won. The lesson: never let yourself be stopped by a guarantee that has "run out" – always check your right to complain.

## Free help if you disagree with the seller

If you cannot agree with the seller, there is **free** help:

- **Forbrukerrådet** (the Consumer Council) gives advice and offers **mediation** in consumer cases.
- **Forbrukertilsynet** (the Consumer Authority) supervises marketing and unfair contract terms.
- When a case is not solved through mediation, it can be decided by **Forbrukerklageutvalget** (the Consumer Complaints Board).

Always keep proof of the purchase with a receipt and written communication. If you get an unfair demand that you believe is wrong, the same principle applies as with [debt collection in Norway](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/inkasso-norge): speak up at once and do not pay anything you disagree with without checking. Also watch out for fake "online shops" and scams – read how to protect yourself against [BankID fraud and fake messages](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/bankid-svindel-norge). If you need to insure valuable things you have bought, see the guide on [insurance in Norway for newcomers](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/forsikring-norge-nykommere).

## In short

- **Angrerett** (right of withdrawal): 14 days to cancel, but only for **online purchases** and sales away from a shop – not for normal shopping in a shop.
- **Reklamasjon** (right to complain): **two years**, and **five years** for goods meant to last a long time; faults in the first two years are assumed to be the seller's responsibility.
- **Garanti** (guarantee) is a voluntary extra – do not let an expired guarantee stop you from using your free right to complain.

## FAQ

### What is the difference between angrerett and reklamasjon?

Angrerett (right of withdrawal) is the right to change your mind within 14 days after an online purchase or a sale away from a shop, with no reason needed. Reklamasjon (right to complain) is the right to complain if the product has a fault or defect, and it lasts two – and often five – years. They are two completely different rights.

### Do I have angrerett when I shop in a shop?

No. The angrerett (right of withdrawal) only applies to online shopping, other distance sales, and sales made away from a fixed shop, such as door-to-door sales. When a shop offers the right to exchange goods, that is a voluntary scheme from the shop, not a legal right.

### How long can I complain about a product?

As a main rule two years, but five years for goods meant to last much longer, such as white goods, furniture, mobile phones and cars. You must complain within a reasonable time after you discovered the fault, and the limit is never shorter than two months.

### What does it mean that the seller has the burden of proof in the first two years?

If you discover a fault during the first two years, the main rule is that the fault is assumed to have been there from the start and that the seller is responsible, unless the seller proves otherwise. This rule was extended from six months to two years when the law was changed in 2024.

### Is garanti better than reklamasjon?

Not necessarily. Garanti (guarantee) is a voluntary promise from the seller and comes in addition to the right to complain, never instead of it. A product with a five-year right to complain is often covered for free for longer than a two-year guarantee lasts, so do not let an expired guarantee stop you.

### Where do I get help if the seller says no?

Forbrukerrådet (the Consumer Council) gives free advice and mediation in consumer cases. Forbrukertilsynet (the Consumer Authority) supervises marketing and contract terms, and unsolved cases can be decided by Forbrukerklageutvalget (the Consumer Complaints Board). Keep your receipt and written communication.

## Sources

- [Forbrukerkjøpsloven § 27 (reklamasjon)](https://lovdata.no/lov/2002-06-21-34/§27)
- [Angrerettloven](https://www.forbrukertilsynet.no/lov-og-rett/angrerettloven)
- [Feil ved vare – reklamasjon og garanti](https://www.forbrukerradet.no/forside/feil-ved-vare/)

Citation: Hlib Suslov, "Consumer rights: angrerett, reklamasjon and garanti", SamfunnPrep, 2026-06-24T15:54:59.14+00:00, https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/forbrukerrettigheter-angrerett-reklamasjon