Geo-blocking means restricting your access to services and content based on your physical location. User access can be restricted by looking up the user’s IP address or by GPS queries if the user is on a mobile device. Your IP address holds information about your geographic location because it’s determined by your router, not the device you’re using to browse the internet.
Geo-blocking is legal when it comes to accessing streaming services and content as in such cases it’s a matter of licensing agreements. For example, Netflix does not produce all of its content and has signed agreements with whoever has the rights to a certain movie or TV series, but publishers may have distribution agreements in different countries. In the case of YouTube and Spotify artists can decide in which countries their video/music is shown.
Geo-blocking is illegal if it discriminates between EU customers (consumers or businesses) to segment markets along national borders and to increase profits to the detriment of foreign customers. If you hold citizenship of or have your place of residence in an EU country, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein but you cannot buy goods or services on the same terms as local residents, you are being geo-blocked.
Access country-specific versions of a trader’s online store
When shopping online you may not be automatically redirected to another (national) version of the online shop. Your explicit permission must be asked first. Prices in different versions of the online shop may be different because traders are free to set different prices for instance on websites targeting different customer groups. However, these websites must still be accessible to all EU customers.
Place an order and have the purchased item delivered within the trader’s delivery area
Although you must be able to buy goods online on the same terms as locals, you do not have the right to demand that the seller ship the goods to your country of residence. Online traders may choose the area where they operate and where they deliver goods. You must be offered the option of having your order delivered to an alternative location within the designated delivery area. If delivery to your home address is offered, you might be charged higher shipping costs.
Place an item in their basket
Pay with a credit card
You must be able to use the same payment method as local consumers, and payment may not be refused based on your location.
Geo-blocking does not only occur online but may also occur when buying goods or services in person — for example, if there are different entrance fees for tourists and locals.
When buying goods online, consumers from other EU countries might not be allowed to:
Access country-specific versions of a trader’s online store
When shopping online you may not be automatically redirected to another (national) version of the online shop. Your explicit permission must be asked first. Prices in different versions of the online shop may be different because traders are free to set different prices for instance on websites targeting different customer groups. However, these websites must still be accessible to all EU customers.
Place an order and have the purchased item delivered within the trader’s delivery area
Although you must be able to buy goods online on the same terms as locals, you do not have the right to demand that the seller ship the goods to your country of residence. Online traders may choose the area where they operate and where they deliver goods. You must be offered the option of having your order delivered to an alternative location within the designated delivery area. If delivery to your home address is offered, you might be charged higher shipping costs.
Place an item in their basket
Pay with a credit card
You must be able to use the same payment method as local consumers, and payment may not be refused based on your location.
Non-economic services of general interest;
Financial services;
The Geo-blocking Regulation does not regulate the access to financial services as such but rather prohibits discrimination in relation to the range of payment means accepted by traders.
Electronic services;
Transport services;
Discrimination is already prohibited in the regulations on three types of transport: air flight tickets, bus and coach transport and waterborne transport. A similar form of prohibition is introduced in the regulation on rail passengers’ rights and obligations.
Temporary employment services;
Healthcare services;
Audiovisual services;
Audiovisual services which are provided on the basis of exclusive territorial licenses are excluded from the Geo-blocking Regulation.
If the trader refuses to respond to your complaint or gives you an unacceptable answer, you can contact the ECC-centre in you home country to learn about your consumer rights or to submit a complaint. Our aim of the complaint handling procedure is to achieve a compromise solution by negotiating in disputes between the consumer and the trader.
