Credit-card chargeback (reversal)
deadline depends on the bank, card network and dispute reason – ask directly
Deadline
deadline depends on the bank, card network and dispute reason – ask directly
What you need to know
If you paid by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), you can request a reversal – a so-called “chargeback” – through your card-issuing bank if the goods were not delivered, do not match the description or the shop was recognisably fraudulent. The specific deadline is not set by the legislator but by the respective card network and the bank. The deadline and its starting point can differ by dispute reason. Ask your card-issuing bank promptly which deadline applies to your case.
How to get your money back
- 1Contact your card-issuing bank first (not the shop) – by phone or via the card-account portal.
- 2Explicitly request a “chargeback” or a “reversal due to non-delivery/suspected fraud”.
- 3Submit evidence: order confirmation, card statement, communication with the shop, proof of failed contact attempts.
- 4Ask which deadline applies to your case and which event starts it.
- 5Stay on it: chargebacks are reviewed by the bank and can take several weeks; respond promptly to any queries.
Legal note
The chargeback mechanism is a contractual arrangement of the card networks (e.g. Visa Core Rules, Mastercard Chargeback Guide), not a statutory entitlement. The exact deadline and prospect of success depend on the issuing bank.
How much time do you have left?
Use the deadline calculator: enter the purchase date, choose the payment type, and see the remaining time instantly.
To the deadline calculatorOther payment types
View all payment typesPayPal Buyer Protection
180 days from the payment date
View guideSEPA direct debit return
8 weeks from the account debit (authorised) – up to 13 months for an unauthorised direct debit
View guideKlarna Buyer Protection
check the deadline and payment plan in your Klarna account; report promptly
View guideThis overview is independent, editorial consumer information and does not replace legal advice. All information is provided to the best of our knowledge and without guarantee – the terms and conditions of the respective payment provider or the conditions of your bank or savings bank are always authoritative. In specific cases, contact a consumer advice centre (Verbraucherzentrale) or a lawyer specialising in contract law. The deadlines described here reflect the German legal situation.