Can I cancel my online subscription with one click?
Yes. Since 1 July 2022 the cancellation button under § 312k BGB applies: if you could sign a continuing-obligation contract (subscription, streaming, newspaper, gym, phone) online, the provider must also enable a simple online cancellation on the website. There must be a clearly labelled 'Cancel now' button, reachable without a login, leading via a confirmation page to the cancellation. You get a confirmation with the date. If the button is missing or hidden, you can cancel the contract any time without notice.
📋 The rules
- Signable online → cancellable online by button (§ 312k BGB)
- Button clearly labelled 'Cancel now', easy to find
- Reachable without login/registration
- Confirmation page + cancellation confirmation with date
- Applies to subscriptions, streaming, newspapers, gyms, phone and internet contracts
🔓 Exceptions
- Contracts that couldn't be signed online need no button
- Some financial services are partly exempt
- The normal notice period stays — the button only eases the route
⚠️ Penalties & fines
A breach of the button duty benefits you: you can cancel the contract any time without a notice period. Consumer associations can also issue warnings. If the provider keeps billing after a valid cancellation, you can reclaim the amounts and turn to the consumer centre.
📎 Official sources
- § 312k BGB · Cancellation of consumer contracts in e-commerce →
- Verbraucherzentrale · The cancellation button — how it works →
- e-recht24 · Contract term and cancellation button →
❓ Frequently asked
Must every online provider offer cancellation by button?
Yes, if the contract could be signed online. Then § 312k BGB requires a clearly labelled 'Cancel now' button you can use without logging in and in a few steps.
Where must the cancellation button be?
Clearly visible and easy to reach on the website — not hidden in the terms or only after logging in. From the button you go to a confirmation page and complete the cancellation with another click.
Do I get a confirmation?
Yes. After cancelling, the provider must immediately confirm electronically that it was received and when — e.g. by email. Keep this confirmation as proof.
What if there's no button?
Then the provider breaches the law and you can cancel the contract any time without notice. Document that the button was missing or unfindable and, to be safe, also cancel by email.
Does the button shorten my notice period?
No. The agreed notice period stays — the button only makes cancelling easier. After the initial term you can cancel monthly with at most one month's notice anyway.
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