This is the English version of a Turkish article. The original, with further detail and linked petition templates, is at Abonelik Sözleşmeleri: Fesih, Taahhüt ve Cayma Bedeli.
In subscription contracts the consumer may cancel at any time, without giving a reason (Article 52 of the Consumer Protection Act). The Act also lays down a principle of ease: cancelling must be at least as easy as subscribing was. A subscription taken out online must be capable of being cancelled online.
Plenty of people have spent hours on the phone trying to cancel an internet contract, been unable to leave a gym, or found a digital subscription renewed without noticing.
Act no. 6502 lays down clear rules protecting the consumer here. This article covers the right to cancel, the cap on early termination charges, and automatic renewal.
How to Cancel
Article 52: the consumer has the right to cancel a subscription contract of indefinite duration, or a fixed-term one longer than a year, at any time, without giving a reason and without paying a penalty.
Where a fixed-term contract of less than a year is involved, the consumer may also cancel if the seller or supplier changes the terms.
The most useful provision is this: it is enough for the notice of cancellation to be sent to the seller or supplier on paper or on a durable medium.
And the seller or supplier may not lay down a method for cancelling that involves more onerous conditions than the method by which the contract was made.
That rule matters: a subscription taken out online must be capable of being cancelled online. “Come to a branch” or “bring a signed letter” is contrary to it.
When the Cancellation Takes Effect
The Act imposes short periods on the seller or supplier.
They must give effect to notices and requests concerning cancellation immediately.
Where the request concerns the performance of a service, the obligation must be met within twenty-four hours of the request reaching them.
And where the seller or supplier fails to act from the moment the request arrives, no charge may be made to the consumer for that period.
A refund also arises: the sum relating to the unused period must be returned.
| Question | The rule |
|---|---|
| The right to cancel | At any time, without a reason |
| The method of cancelling | At least as easy as the method of subscribing |
| When it takes effect | Immediately; within 24 hours where a service is involved |
| The unused period | Refunded within 15 days |
| Ending a committed contract early | Only the capped early termination amount may be charged |
| Automatic renewal | Notice must be given before renewal |
| Extra charges called “exit fees” | Cannot exceed the statutory limits |
In committed contracts what can be charged is limited to the concrete benefits the consumer received — discounts and the price of a device; an excessive penalty cannot be imposed.
Ending a Committed Contract Early
The most contested subject is a commitment given in return for a discounted device or tariff.
What can be charged for ending it early is not unlimited. In electronic communications, under the regulator's rules, the amount the subscriber pays cannot exceed either the total of the payments due over the remaining commitment period or the uncollected part of the value of the discounts, devices and other benefits provided — and the lower of those two applies.
So an exit charge is not whatever figure appears in the contract: it is calculable and capped.
Before cancelling, ask in writing for a breakdown of the exit charge and check the calculation.
How the discount is calculated where a device supplied under the commitment is returned is also regulated.
An exit charge calculated unfairly can be taken to the consumer arbitration committee.
Automatic Renewal
The automatic renewal of fixed-term subscriptions can leave a consumer owing money without realising it.
The legislation on subscription contracts requires the consumer to be told in advance of the date on which the contract will end or renew.
Where a renewal happens without that notice, the consumer may cancel and require the return of sums wrongly collected.
A subscription taken out online must be capable of being cancelled online; the supplier cannot impose a more onerous method. Notice on paper or a durable medium is enough, the request must be acted on immediately — within twenty-four hours for a service — and the unused period must be refunded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a subscription whenever I want?
Yes, for contracts of indefinite duration or fixed terms longer than a year, at any time, without a reason and without penalty. A shorter fixed term can be cancelled if the supplier changes the terms.
They say I have to come to a branch to cancel. Is that lawful?
No. Cancelling cannot be made more onerous than subscribing was, so a contract made online must be capable of being cancelled online. Notice on paper or a durable medium is enough.
How quickly must they act?
Immediately, and within twenty-four hours where the request concerns the performance of a service. No charge may be made for the period after the request arrives.
How much can they charge me for leaving early?
The lower of the payments due over the remaining commitment and the uncollected value of the discounts and devices provided. Ask for a written breakdown and check it.
My subscription renewed without warning — what can I do?
You must be told in advance of the renewal date. Without that notice you can cancel and require the sums wrongly collected to be returned.