Can I end a fixed-term telecoms contract early?
Yes — you can end a fixed-term internet, TV or mobile contract even before its term, and the operator has no right to require you to pay all the remaining monthly fees to the end of the term. The popular myth that "if you cancel early, you pay for all the remaining months" is wrong. According to the Communications Regulatory Authority (RRT), the operator may apply only the penalty set in the contract, which usually covers the return of discounts granted for the past period or in proportion to the remaining one, but not lost income. The key point people miss: you can terminate with no penalty at all if the operator materially breaches the contract (poor-quality service) or unilaterally worsens the terms — for example, raises the price or cuts the service. It must notify you of such changes a month in advance, and under the 2025 rules any penalty must be justified by actual losses.
📋 The rules
- A fixed-term telecoms contract can be ended even before the term expires
- The operator cannot demand all the remaining monthly fees (lost income)
- A penalty usually covers only the return of discounts granted and can be reduced
- You can terminate with no penalty if terms are worsened or the service is poor
- The operator must give a month's notice of unilateral contract changes
🔓 Exceptions
- An open-ended contract is terminated within 5 working days of the request
- The price of equipment (e.g. a phone) bought in instalments is paid separately from service penalties
- When porting a number to another operator, the old contract is ended under the set procedure
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The risk lies not in a ban on ending the contract, but in the size of the penalty and whether it is justified. If you terminate before the minimum usage period ends, the operator may claim the penalty set in the contract, but only a justified one — it has no right to claim lost income (the remaining monthly fees). What people miss: you usually have to return the discounts or promotional benefits received, and if the penalty is clearly excessive it can be reduced by a court. The rules in force from 2025 strengthen the consumer further — an early-termination fee must be justified by the operator's actual losses. An unpaid penalty can turn into a debt, be passed to debt collectors and harm your credit history, so it is better to settle the dispute with the operator or turn to the RRT, which handles consumer disputes in the communications sector.
📎 Official sources
- RRT · concluding and terminating contracts →
- e-seimas · Law on Electronic Communications →
- RRT · electronic communications service rules (from 2025) →
❓ Frequently asked
If I cancel early, will I have to pay for all the remaining months?
No, the operator has no right to demand all the remaining monthly fees as lost income. It may apply only a justified penalty set in the contract, which usually covers the return of discounts granted rather than the whole remaining sum.
When can I terminate the contract without a penalty?
You can terminate without a penalty if the operator materially breaches the contract or unilaterally worsens the terms, for example raising the price or cutting the service. It must notify you of such changes in advance, and you then have the right to leave without extra charges.
How long does it take to end an open-ended contract?
An open-ended telecoms contract must be terminated within 5 working days of the request being submitted. Immediate termination is possible only if the operator agrees, and cancelling by phone works only if the contract provides for that method.
Can the penalty be reduced?
Yes, if the penalty set in the contract is clearly excessive it can be reduced, and from 2025 the fee must in any case be justified by the operator's actual losses. If a dispute arises over the amount, it is worth contacting the operator or the Communications Regulatory Authority.
Where do I turn if I disagree with the operator's demands?
Consumer disputes with telecoms operators are handled by the Communications Regulatory Authority (RRT), which you can approach if you cannot settle amicably. Before that it is advisable to contact the operator in writing, as many disagreements over penalties are resolved at that stage.
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