How do I cancel my phone or online contract?
Easier than before. Since the Fair Consumer Contracts Act (2022), fixed-term contracts (phone, internet, gym, subscriptions) may, after the initial term, only renew indefinitely — and are then cancellable at any time with at most one month's notice. The old automatic 12-month renewal no longer exists. If you signed the contract online, the provider must offer a cancellation button ('Cancel now'). You can give notice in text form (email too) — no signature needed.
📋 The rules
- Renewal only indefinite, then monthly cancellable (max 1 month's notice)
- No fresh 12-month tie-in via automatic renewal
- Signed online: cancellation button required (§ 312k BGB)
- Notice possible in text form (email is enough, no signature)
- The initial term may still be up to 24 months
🔓 Exceptions
- During the agreed initial term the normal notice period applies (often 3 months to term end)
- Special cancellation right on moving (no reception), a price rise or a provider switch
- If the cancellation button is missing, you can cancel any time without notice
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The consequences fall on the provider, not you: if they offer no cancellation button or unlawfully tie you in for another 12 months, you can cancel any time without notice. If the provider ignores a valid cancellation, a complaint to the Federal Network Agency or the consumer centre helps. Amounts billed unlawfully you can reclaim.
📎 Official sources
- § 312k BGB · Cancellation button for consumer contracts →
- § 309 BGB · Prohibited clauses (incl. contract term) →
- Verbraucherzentrale · Cancelling contracts & fair consumer contracts →
❓ Frequently asked
How quickly can I get out of my phone contract?
After the initial term ends, any time with at most one month's notice. An automatic renewal for another 12 months has been banned since 2022 — the contract then runs indefinitely and is cancellable monthly.
Must there be a cancellation button?
Yes, if you could sign the contract online. Since 1 July 2022 the provider must offer a clearly visible 'Cancel now' button you can use without logging in and in a few clicks.
Is cancelling by email enough?
Yes. Text form suffices for the notice — an email is enough, a handwritten signature isn't needed. Send it provably and note the cancellation date.
What if the provider has no cancellation button?
Then they breach § 312k BGB, and you can cancel the contract any time without notice. That also applies if the button is hidden or only appears after logging in.
Can I cancel during the minimum term?
Only with the agreed notice to the end of the term or with a special cancellation right — e.g. a move with no reception or a price rise. Otherwise you're bound until term end (initial term max 24 months).
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “cancel phone contract deadline 2026”
- “automatic renewal banned contract”
- “cancellation button required online”
- “subscription monthly cancellable law”
- “cancel phone contract email”
- “fair consumer contracts cancellation”