Buyer’s Q&A
Is there a cooling-off period when buying a fractional ownership share?
It depends on the country where the home is and on the contract. There is no general EU cooling-off right for buying a share of a home; our partner explains what applies before you buy.
The short answer: it depends on the country and the contract. There is no general EU-wide cooling-off right for buying a share of a holiday home: the EU's 14-day withdrawal right applies to timeshare contracts, while a share of a home follows the property and consumer rules of the country where it is, and the terms of its purchase contract. Our partner explains what applies for each home before you buy.
Why the answer varies
Cooling-off periods let a buyer withdraw from a purchase within a set time after signing. For timeshares, UK and EU law sets a 14-day withdrawal period. Buying a share of a home is a property purchase, so what applies depends on the country where the home is, on how the purchase is structured, and on the contract itself. Some countries give buyers of residential property a withdrawal period at a particular stage; others do not; and contracts can add their own terms.
What to ask before you sign
- Is there a cooling-off or withdrawal period for this purchase, and when does it start and end?
- Is the reservation deposit refundable, and in what circumstances?
- How do I withdraw if I need to (email, letter, form), and how quickly is a deposit returned?
- Does anything change if I am buying a resale share rather than a new one?
Our partner answers these for each home before you commit, and it is worth asking your own lawyer to confirm them.
How to use the time well
Whatever window applies, use it to check the things that matter: the purchase paperwork and the co-ownership agreement with your lawyer, the tax position with an adviser in your own country, and the booking calendar against how you actually want to use the home.
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