🧾 How long can you complain about faulty goods in Estonia?

Yes

Quick answer

Two years — and you have that right even if the seller gave no guarantee at all. Where an item stops working, breaks or turns out to be defective, the consumer may lodge a complaint with the seller for two years from the purchase. This comes from the law, not from the seller's goodwill. And here are the two things people confuse: a “guarantee” is the seller's or manufacturer's voluntary promise, which may be shorter, longer or non-existent; the right to lodge a complaint is statutory and lasts two years regardless. A seller who says “the guarantee was one year, so we cannot help” is wrong. And this is not the 14-day right of return — the two work entirely separately.

📋 The rules

Complaint period: 2 years
The right comes from the law
It applies even with no guarantee
A guarantee is a voluntary promise
This is not the 14-day return right

🔓 Exceptions

A guarantee may be more favourable than the law but cannot narrow consumer rights
Ordinary wear and tear arising from use is not a defect
Where the seller refuses, the complaint can go to the consumer disputes committee

⚠️ Penalties & fines

The first six months are on your side. Where a defect appears within six months of purchase, it is presumed to have existed at the time of delivery — and the seller must prove otherwise, not you. After six months the burden shifts, and you may need to show that the fault was not ordinary wear or misuse. So act quickly and lodge the complaint in writing — an email is enough and leaves a trace. If the seller refuses, you can turn to the consumer disputes committee, which is free for consumers. And keep the receipt: without proof of purchase the two-year right is considerably harder to enforce, though a bank statement will also serve as evidence.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-07-12

❓ Frequently asked

How long is the complaint period?

Two years from purchase. The right comes from the law and applies even where the seller gave no guarantee at all. A seller pointing to a shorter guarantee period is simply wrong.

What is the difference between a guarantee and a complaint?

A guarantee is the seller's or manufacturer's voluntary promise, which may be shorter or longer. The right to complain is statutory and lasts two years regardless of whether a guarantee was given.

Who must prove the defect?

Within the first six months a defect is presumed to have existed at delivery, and the seller must prove otherwise. After six months the burden of proof can shift to the consumer.

Is wear and tear a defect?

It is not. Ordinary wear arising from use is not a defect for which the seller answers. A defect means the item does not conform to the contract or does not work as it should.

What if the seller refuses?

Lodge the complaint in writing and keep proof of purchase. If the seller still refuses, turn to the consumer disputes committee, which is free for consumers and decides without going to court.

🔎 Common searches

What people search to land here:

“complaint period two years estonia”
“guarantee vs complaint right estonia”
“faulty goods seller refuses estonia”
“six month rule consumer estonia”
“complaint without a receipt estonia”
“consumer disputes committee complaint”