What to check before cancelling a subscription
Since June 1, 2023, professionals who accept online subscriptions must also accept cancellations through the same channel. This is stipulated in Article L. 215-1-1 of the French Consumer Code. The cancellation button must be as accessible as the one used for subscription.
The three-click process
First screen: a clear and unambiguous "cancel your contract" button. Second screen: your name, contact details, and contract reference, with supporting documents to attach if you are cancelling before the term. Third screen: a summary that you validate under the heading "cancellation notification". The professional then confirms the end date on a durable medium, such as email or your client area.
This button is usually found in your subscription area, just below the plan details. If it remains untraceable, a written request by registered mail holds the same value and establishes a definite date.
The notice period sets the true end date
Clicking does not stop direct debits on the same day. The notice period stipulated in the contract, often one to three months, postpones the effective date. It is this date, written on the confirmation, that determines if a direct debit is still valid after your request. Note it down and compare it with your bank statements for the following weeks.
Tacit renewal, mandatory reminder
Before each due date, the service provider must inform you that you can choose not to renew. Received nothing? You can then cancel without charge, at any time after the renewal. This notice letter, or proof of its absence, is worth keeping, as it grants the right to a free exit.
Leaving before the term
Moving outside the service area, hospitalization, or job loss allow for early cancellation without penalty. Supporting documents are attached on the second screen, during the process, not at a later stage. Without a recognized reason, exiting is still possible but the current commitment may remain due until its term.
If a direct debit goes through regardless
A debit after the confirmed end date should first be contested with the service, with confirmation as proof. In parallel, your bank can reject an authorized SEPA direct debit within eight weeks of the debit. Keep every written exchange: this paper trail speeds up the refund.
Two frequently asked questions
Can a subscription taken out in-store be cancelled online?
Yes, as long as the company also offers online subscriptions. The way you subscribed makes no difference: only the possibility of contracting online on the day you want to leave matters.
What are the risks for a professional who blocks cancellation?
An administrative fine that can reach 15,000 euros. If no cancellation button exists, the breach should be reported to the consumer fraud agency, with copies of your exchanges as evidence.