Cancelling a subscription

Gym, streaming, newspaper, internet, energy: in Belgium the law limits what a company can impose to stop a subscription. Here are your rights, and how to cancel properly.

  1. The rules that protect everyone

    • Service contract renewed automatically (gym, streaming…): after renewal you can cancel at any time, without compensation, with at most 2 months' notice. This does not cover subscriptions to delivered magazines.
    • Bought online or by phone: 14 days to change your mind (withdrawal), extended to up to 12 months if you weren't told about this right. Exception: digital content you started using with your agreement.
    • Since 14 August 2026, websites must offer an easy-to-find online withdrawal function.
    • Always cancel in writing (email, form or registered letter) and keep proof.

    Tacit renewal (ConsumerConnect) ↗Cancel a subscription ↗

    Subscription cancellation letter
    [First name Last name]
[Address]
[Postcode Town]
Customer / contract number: [number]

To: [Company] customer service
[Company address]

[Town], [Date]

Subject: Cancellation of my subscription — contract no. [number]

Dear Sir or Madam,

I hereby cancel my subscription [name of subscription], contract no. [number].

[If the contract was renewed automatically:] As this contract was tacitly renewed, I am terminating it under Article VI.91 of the Belgian Code of Economic Law, without compensation, effective at the end of the statutory notice period (2 months maximum).

Please confirm the end date of the contract in writing and stop any direct debit after that date.

Yours faithfully,

[First name Last name]

  2. Internet, TV, mobile phone

    • You can cancel at any time. After 6 months of contract, it is free of charge.
    • Cancellation must be in writing: a phone call is not enough. If you switch operator with Easy Switch, the new operator handles it.
    • If you got a device (phone, decoder) with the contract, you can be charged at most its remaining value; nothing after 24 months.

    Cancelling the contract (BIPT) ↗

  3. Electricity and gas Free

    You can switch supplier or cancel at any time, even a fixed-term contract, with no compensation, with at most 3 weeks' notice. If you switch supplier, the new one cancels the old contract for you.

  4. Gyms

    The sector's code of conduct, published by the FPS Economy, provides among other things for a maximum term of 18 months, free cancellation if the gym changes its hours or conditions, and suspension with a medical certificate. After automatic renewal, the 2-months-maximum rule applies.

    • Basic-Fit: online (My Basic-Fit) or at the in-club kiosk, 4 weeks' notice.
    • Jims: via the app, by email (support@jims.be) or registered letter.

    Basic-Fit ↗Jims ↗

  5. Streaming and newspapers

    Streaming (Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, Amazon Prime…): cancel online from your account; access stays active until the end of the paid period.

    Netflix ↗Spotify ↗Disney+ ↗Amazon Prime ↗VTM GO+ ↗

    Newspapers: a fixed-term subscription usually ends on its expiry date; give notice in time. Mediahuis titles (De Standaard, Het Nieuwsblad, GVA) require a phone call at least 14 days before expiry.

  6. Still being charged?

    • Send the company a written formal notice with proof of your cancellation.
    • A direct debit you authorised can be refunded by your bank if you dispute it within 8 weeks. For an unauthorised debit, the deadline is 13 months. Also revoke the direct-debit mandate with your bank.
    • Then: the Consumer Mediation Service (free).

    Money taken without your consent ↗Consumer Mediation Service ↗

Rules checked on 08/10/2026 on the websites of the FPS Economy (ConsumerConnect), BIPT and in the Code of Economic Law. Company conditions come from their official websites and may change.