📱 Can I cancel a phone or internet contract early?

With conditions

Quick answer

You can cancel a subscription contract at any time, but if you break a contract with a binding period before it ends, you must generally repay the proportionate part of the benefits and discounts you received. Under the Electronic Communications Act (ZEKom-2), a contract with a consumer may be concluded for a maximum of 24 months. If you break it early, for example because you found a better offer, the operator is not entitled to all the remaining instalments, but only to the proportionate part of the discounts tied to the 24-month commitment. The key myth is that the operator may charge a »disconnection fee« after the binding period ends (once 10-20 euros): under ZEKom-2, administrative costs for switching between packages of the same operator or for termination after the binding period ends may not be charged. If the operator unilaterally changes the terms or raises the price, you have the right to cancel free of charge and without returning benefits – it must notify you of the change at least 30 days in advance, and you may cancel within 60 days. After automatic renewal or after the binding period ends, you cancel with a one-month notice period free of charge.

📋 The rules

A consumer subscription contract may be concluded for a maximum of 24 months of binding.
On early termination of a contract with a binding period, you must repay the proportionate part of the discounts and benefits received, not all the remaining instalments.
If the operator unilaterally changes the terms or raises the price, you may cancel free of charge and without returning benefits; it must notify you at least 30 days in advance.
After automatic renewal or after the binding period ends, you cancel with a one-month notice period free of charge.
Administrative costs (a disconnection fee) for switching between packages or terminating after the binding period ends may not be charged.

🔓 Exceptions

On a price rise or change of terms, you have the right to cancel free of charge within 60 days of the notice; then you return no benefits and pay no contractual penalty.
When porting your phone number to another operator, the procedure must not deter switching; the old operator may not obstruct you.
On termination due to moving to an address with no coverage or the subscriber's death, the operator's special rules apply and there is generally no penalty for the remaining period.

⚠️ Penalties & fines

The legal »penalty« in telecoms is not a fine but the contractual consequences of termination. If you break a contract with a 24-month binding period early without a justified reason, the operator may charge you the proportionate part of the discounts and benefits you received on signing (e.g. a subsidised phone or a promotional price), but not all the remaining instalments – case law has repeatedly held that the repayment must be proportionate. If you do not settle the bill, a reminder, default interest, suspension of service and debt collection follow, and the debt can end up with an enforcement officer and in a register of defaulters, making it harder to sign new contracts. The opposite applies when you cancel due to a price rise or change of terms: then you cancel free of charge and without returning benefits, and the operator may not charge a disconnection fee. If the operator nonetheless insists on costs, you can complain to the operator and then to AKOS or the competent consumer-protection body. It is essential to cancel in writing and keep proof of the notice of change.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-07-12

❓ Frequently asked

Can I break a contract with a binding period early?

Yes, you can break the contract at any time, but if you do so before the 24-month binding period ends without a justified reason, you must repay the operator the proportionate part of the discounts and benefits received. The operator is not entitled to all the remaining instalments, only to proportionate repayment.

May I cancel if the operator raises the price?

Yes, on a unilateral price rise or change of contract terms you have the right to cancel free of charge and without returning benefits. The operator must notify you of the change at least 30 days in advance, and you may submit the cancellation within 60 days of receiving the notice.

Can they charge me a disconnection fee?

Under ZEKom-2, administrative costs for switching between packages of the same operator or for terminating the relationship after the binding period ends may not be charged. The former practice of charging a disconnection fee of 10 to 20 euros after the binding period is therefore no longer compliant with the law.

How long can the binding period be?

A consumer subscription contract may be concluded for a maximum of 24 months of binding. After the binding period ends or after automatic renewal, you can cancel the contract with a one-month notice period and without additional costs.

What if the operator insists on cancellation costs?

First lodge a written complaint with the operator, which must reply and explain the charged costs. If you disagree, you can turn to AKOS or the competent consumer-protection body, and keep proof of the notice of the price change.

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