Rights · 14 countries
Gym cancellation rules by country
Maximum contract length, what happens at renewal and how much notice you owe, in plain language for each country. Plus the UK for comparison.
Summaries of consumer law, September 2026 · Not legal advice · Check your contract
| Country | Max first term | After the first term | Notice | Friendliness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany (not yet available) | 24 months | Rolling monthly by law; online cancel button required | 1 month | Strong |
| Netherlands (not yet available) | 12 months typical | Rolling monthly by law (Wet Van Dam) | 1 month | Strong |
| Denmark (not yet available) | 6 months (legal cap) | Rolling monthly | 1 month | Strong |
| Sweden (not yet available) | 12 months typical | Rolling; Konsumentverket guidance | 1 to 2 months | Good |
| Norway (not yet available) | 12 months typical | Rolling | 1 month | Good |
| Belgium (not yet available) | 12 months typical | Renewal must be notified; notice capped | Up to 2 months | Good |
| France (not yet available) | 12 months typical | Loi Chatel: club must warn before renewal | Per contract, often 1 to 2 months | Moderate |
| Italy (not yet available) | 12 months, often upfront | Renewal must be clearly disclosed | Per contract | Moderate |
| Spain (not yet available) | Permanencia varies | Per contract; arbitration available | 1 month typical | Moderate |
| Portugal (not yet available) | 12 months typical | Per contract | 30 days typical | Moderate |
| Poland (not yet available) | Varies; UOKiK challenges long lock-ins | Per contract | Per contract | Moderate |
| Greece (not yet available) | 12 months, often upfront | Per contract | Per contract | Weak |
| Switzerland (not yet available) | 12 months, upfront | Auto-renews unless notice given | 2 to 3 months before expiry | Weak |
| Ireland (not yet available) | No cap | Per contract | 30 days typical | Weak |
| United Kingdom | No cap; 12 months common | Per contract; CMA guidance on fairness | 1 month typical | Moderate |
The three models
Statutory monthly after the first term (Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Norway after binding periods): the law converts your contract to rolling monthly once the initial term ends. These are the safest places to sign a 12-month deal.
Renewal must be flagged (France, Belgium, Italy): the club must warn you before auto-renewal or you can leave. The protection is real but you still need to act in the window.
Contract rules (UK, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Poland, Greece): the contract governs, with consumer law policing unfair terms rather than setting limits. Read the notice period before signing and take the monthly option if in doubt.
Everywhere: cancel in writing, keep the proof
Email or the club’s online form, never a conversation at the desk. Ask for confirmation. Do not cancel the direct debit or SEPA mandate first; the contract carries on and the arrears follow you. Our UK cancellation guide has a letter template that translates directly.
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Guide not yet available