Rules that protect you
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| 14-day right of withdrawal (Widerrufsrecht) | For contracts made online, by phone or at your door. No reason needed. Doesn't apply to contracts signed in a shop |
| Max. 24 months initial term | For consumer contracts such as mobile, internet and gyms |
| Monthly cancellation after the minimum term | For contracts signed since 1 March 2022: after the initial term, a contract continues only indefinitely and can be cancelled with 1 month's notice at any time |
| Cancellation button (Kündigungsbutton) | Since July 2022, contracts concluded online must be cancellable online via a clearly labelled button |
| Text form is enough for most consumer contracts | Email or online form is enough unless the law says otherwise. Exceptions: the rental contract and the employment contract require a signed paper letter |
| Special termination right | On price increases you usually get a special right to cancel — the letter announcing the increase must tell you about it |
How to cancel correctly
- Find the customer number and contract number.
- Write: "Hiermit kündige ich meinen Vertrag Nr. ___ fristgerecht zum nächstmöglichen Zeitpunkt. Bitte bestätigen Sie mir die Kündigung und das Vertragsende schriftlich."
- Send it via the cancellation button, email with a request for confirmation, or — for important contracts — by Einschreiben (registered mail).
- Keep the confirmation. If none arrives within 2 weeks, follow up.
- Cancel the direct-debit mandate only after the contract ends. Otherwise you may get a reminder fee for a legitimate last payment.
Typical newcomer traps
- Door-to-door sellers of electricity and internet "upgrades" — use your 14-day withdrawal right.
- "Free trial" subscriptions that become paid — calendar the end date.
- Gym contracts signed before 2022 with automatic 12-month renewals — check the date you signed.
- Moving: internet providers must let you take the contract to the new address. If they can't provide service there, you can cancel with 1 month's notice.