How do I cancel a subscription that I no longer want?

You can cancel a subscription by contacting the provider in writing or digitally. As a consumer, you have legal rights that determine how far in advance you must cancel and what the provider may charge. Read here exactly how to do that and what you should pay attention to.

Last checked: March 2026. Legal information may change — always check the current legislation onwetten.nl.

What does the law say?

The law protects you as a consumer if you want to cancel a subscription. That sounds logical, but in practice companies sometimes try to make things difficult for you. Fortunately, the government has set limits on this.

Look at your telephone subscription, streaming service, gym or magazine: in all cases it is a so-called ongoing agreement. This is a contract without a fixed end date, or a contract that is automatically extended. The law contains specific rules for these types of subscriptions.

Article 6:237 of the Dutch Civil Code (check this article onwetten.nl for the most current version) mentions a notice period of longer than one month as an unreasonably onerous clause in general terms and conditions. This means that a company may in principle not impose more than one month's notice on you if you pay month by month. Do you pay annually? Then a maximum notice period of three months applies.

In addition, Article 6:230o of the Dutch Civil Code applies (check this article onwetten.nl for the most current version). This article obliges companies to make canceling as easy as taking out a subscription. Did you close it online? Then you must also be able to cancel it online. This obligation is called the "cancel button" — companies are obliged to make it available.

Did you take out a subscription via the internet, telephone or at the door? Then you also have a reflection period of 14 days. We call that the right of withdrawal. You may cancel the subscription within those 14 days without giving any reason. This is stated in Article 6:230p of the Dutch Civil Code (check this article onwetten.nl for the most current version).

Please note that some sectors, such as telecom, also have their own rules based on sector-specific legislation. If in doubt, consult the relevant law viawetten.nl or ask for advice.

When does this apply to you?

These rules apply to you if you have taken out a subscription as a consumer. You are a consumer if you use the subscription privately, so not for your company. Do you use the same subscription partly for business? Then the situation can be more complicated.

Consider the following common situations:

• Streaming services such as Netflix, Spotify or Disney+. You took out this online and you pay monthly. You can also cancel this online, often even directly via the website.
• Gym subscriptions. Here we see many problems. A gym may agree on a minimum term, but after that a notice period of up to one month applies.
• Telephone subscriptions. These often have a fixed term of one or two years. Will you cancel earlier? The provider can then charge costs for the remaining months.
• Magazines and newspaper subscriptions. After the minimum term, the statutory notice periods also apply here.
• Energy contracts. These are partly covered by other legislation. Visit the website of the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) for more information.

Also pay attention to this situation: if a company deliberately makes cancellation difficult - think of a telephone number that you cannot get hold of, or a form that keeps getting stuck - then that company may be acting contrary to the law. Report this to the ACM via consuwijzer.nl.

Do you have a current annual subscription and don't want to wait? Then you can check whether you are entitled to early termination. This is possible in special cases, such as moving to another country or a serious illness. But this is not an automatic right — it depends on the conditions.

Step-by-step plan — what can you do now?

1. Find your contract or confirmation email. Check the duration, the notice period and how to cancel. Isn't this clearly stated? Then the legal maximum terms apply.
2. Check the provider's website. Look for a cancellation button, cancellation form or instructions. Companies are legally obliged to offer this visibly.
3. Cancel via the offered channel. Use the cancel button, fill in the form or send an e-mail. Make sure you always receive confirmation.
4. Save the proof. Take a screenshot or save the confirmation email. This is your proof if there is disc later