Germany Fair Consumer Contracts

Please note: This applies to any consumer subscription contract.

From now on:

• no subscription offered to consumers may have an initial term longer than two years;
• the initial term may be extended tacitly (“auto renewal”). However, consumers must be given the option to prevent such tacit extension by terminating within a notice period no longer than one month prior to the tacit extension;
• if the initial term is tacitly extended (i.e., unless the consumer terminates, the subscription is prolonged beyond the initial term), such extension must be open-ended. The consumer must have the right to terminate monthly. Therefore, it won’t be possible to renew the subscription for another 1-year-term.

Please note: This only applies to consumer contracts closed online.

Online traders targeting consumers based in Germany must now make the following available to their users on or via their website/app:

• a button, control, switch, or any other command that allows users to terminate the contract easily. The law also regulates the following steps of the procedure: users must be redirected to a form in which they may insert their personal details, choose the kind of termination (ordinary/extraordinary for cause), etc. and eventually have the opportunity to review their statement before confirming;
• a downloadable copy (PDF) of the termination submitted as explained above bearing date and time for record-keeping purposes;
• an e-mail confirmation of receipt of the termination submitted.

In case of non-compliance with the termination button requirements by traders, users shall be entitled to terminate any contract without reasons and without any notice period (i.e., with immediate effect).