Gift cards in Europe
If you decide to give a gift card to a loved one from a brand located in another European country, be careful about how the card can be used and whether it has an expiration date. In this article you will find information about buying and using a gift card in Europe.
Can I buy a gift card on a website based in another European country if I live in France?
Yes. Since the end of geoblocking, you can purchase goods and services from any company based in another EU country, and this includes gift cards. But be careful: the seller is not required to deliver to France if they don’t normally do so. Best practice is to check whether you can print the gift card or have the item you’ve purchased sent to an address in the seller’s country.
Are gift cards nominative in Europe?
No. In the majority of European countries, gift cards are not registered under a specific name, unless stipulated otherwise in the terms of sale.
Can I use a gift card purchased in France from the same brand in another European country?
No. Aside from exceptional circumstances or company policies, if you have bought a gift card in France, you must use it within France even if the brand offers their services in another European country. Check with the brand before buying a gift card!
Is the validity period of gift cards regulated in Europe?
No, there is no European regulation governing the validity period of gift cards. Each country has its own legislation on the matter. If there is none, the brand’s general conditions of sale apply.
What is the validity period of gift cards in European countries?
In the majority of EU countries, the validity period is indicated on the gift card or specified in the general conditions of sale. This is the case in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, Lithuania, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
- In Denmark and Estonia, gift cards are valid for 3 years.
- In Germany, if there is no expiration date on the gift card, it is normally valid for 3 years from the end of the year of purchase. For example, if you buy a gift card on December 1, 2026, it will be valid until December 31, 2029.
- In Austria, if there is no fixed expiration date on the gift card, it is valid for 30 years!
- In other countries, the period of validity is much shorter, at 3-6 months in Greece and 6-12 months in Lithuania.
- In Ireland, Hungary, and theNetherlands, the validity period is 5 years. If there is no expiration date mentioned on the gift card in the Netherlands, it is valid indefinitely.
- In Italy, there is no fixed minimum or maximum period of validity.
What can I do if the gift card has expired?
If the gift card has expired, the holder can neither ask for an extension of the validity period nor for a refund in any EU country except Denmark, which stipulates that all electronic gift card purchases may be refunded within one year of the expiration date. To be sure you take advantage of your gift card before it expires, keep it some place where you’ll remember to use it.
Do I benefit from a right to withdrawal on purchases of gift cards?
If you buy a gift card on a European website, you benefit from a 14 day right-to-withdrawal from the date of purchase, unless the voucher is, for for instance, to be used for hotel accommodations, a rental car, a restaurant, or leisure activities scheduled for a specific date or period.
Do these rules apply to gift certificates for package holidays?
No, these rules do not apply to stays or trips purchased in package form. In France, the issuers of package holidays are attached to travel agents and must be registered with the Register of Travel Agents, have a financial guarantee in the event of bankruptcy, civil liability insurance…
Who should you contact in the event of a dispute with a European seller?
- First, you should contact the company in writing to try to resolve the problem. Keep a copy of this correspondence.
- If you do not receive a response or the response you do receive is unhelpful, you can contact us via our online form.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Innovation Council and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.