Subscription cooling-off periods in the UK
The Act gives consumers a right to cancel a subscription contract during an initial cooling-off period and during a renewal cooling-off period, each lasting 14 days. For renewals, the trader must give the consumer a cooling-off notice, and the draft regulations extend the period if the required information is not given.
The government has announced the rules will come into force in January 2027; the exact date will be set in regulations. Parts of this guide rest on draft regulations or draft guidance, which are subject to Parliament's approval and may change.
Last checked against official sources: . This page is general information, not legal advice.
What the official sources say
Two cooling-off rights
The Act gives a consumer the right to cancel a subscription contract during the initial cooling-off period and during any renewal cooling-off period. The right can be used in any circumstances, with no conditions other than those in or under the Chapter.
A consumer has the right to cancel a subscription contract during— the initial cooling-off period, and any renewal cooling-off period. The right conferred by subsection (1) — is exercisable in any circumstances, and may not be subject to any conditions other than those set out in or under this Chapter.
Source: DMCCA 2024 Part 4 Chapter 2 (subscription contracts) - legislation text
The initial cooling-off period
The initial period starts on the day the contract is entered into. For contracts where goods are supplied it runs to 14 days after the day the consumer receives the first supply of goods. In any other case it runs to 14 days after the day the contract is entered into.
In this Chapter, the “ initial cooling-off period ”, in relation to a subscription contract, means the period— beginning with the day the contract is entered into, and ending— in the case of a contract under which goods are supplied, at the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day after the day on which the consumer receives the first supply of goods under the contract; in any other case, at the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day after the day on which the contract is entered into.
Source: DMCCA 2024 Part 4 Chapter 2 (subscription contracts) - legislation text
The renewal cooling-off period
A renewal period begins on the day of a relevant renewal and lasts 14 days from the day after. The Act treats the first renewal payment after a concessionary period (such as a free or reduced-price trial) as a relevant renewal.
In this Chapter, a “ renewal cooling-off period ”, in relation to a subscription contract, means a period— beginning with the day on which a relevant renewal of the contract occurs, and ending at the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day after that day. A “relevant renewal” of a subscription contract occurs for the purposes of subsection (2) — when the consumer becomes liable under the contract for a first renewal payment following the end of a concessionary period, or at any time when the consumer becomes liable under the contract for a renewal payment and either— the consumer will not become liable for the next renewal payment until after the end of the 12-month period, or the consumer will not become liable for any further renewal payment but the contract continues beyond the end of the 12-month period.
Source: DMCCA 2024 Part 4 Chapter 2 (subscription contracts) - legislation text
Longer period if information is missing
The draft regulations say the renewal cooling-off period is extended if the trader fails to give the cooling-off notice. It then ends 14 days after the trader gives the required information, or 12 months after the original end date if the trader does not do so within that 12 months.
The period mentioned in paragraph (2) (b) is— where the trader complies with paragraph (4) before the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the first day of the period mentioned in section 265 of the DMCCA , the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the trader complies with paragraph (4), or where the trader does not comply with paragraph (4) before the end of that 12 month period, the period of 12 months beginning with the original RCOP end date.
Common questions
How long is each cooling-off period?
The Act sets 14 days for both the initial and renewal cooling-off periods. The initial period for contracts supplying goods runs from the first supply of goods.
Does the consumer need a reason to cancel?
No. The Act says the right can be used in any circumstances, with no conditions other than those in or under the Chapter.
What if the trader does not give the cooling-off notice?
The draft regulations extend the renewal cooling-off period, to 14 days after the information is given or up to 12 months from the original end date.
Check where you stand
The free readiness check takes ten questions about your sign-up, renewal and cancellation journey and gives you a score and the areas to look at, with no email needed to see it.
For a checklist that quotes the Act and flags items to re-check when the rules change, see the paid plan.
Related guides
General information, not legal advice. Every quotation above is copied from the official text named beneath it; follow the link to read it in full.