Subscription fees or hidden costs? Here is how to get your money back
Still paying after cancellation or seeing vague surcharges? You can often recover that money.
Introduction
Are you still paying for a subscription you cancelled long ago? Or did you receive a large bill with unclear charges? You are not alone.
What does the law say?
- Art. 6:236 BW: unfair terms can be voided
- Wet Van Dam: after the initial term you may cancel monthly
- Art. 6:203 BW: undue payments must be refunded
Common situations:
- You cancelled by email, but they keep charging
- Contract extension without consent
- "Processing fees" or "administration costs" not in the contract
Subscription or hidden costs - auto-renewals and vague surcharges
You once signed up for a subscription - a newspaper, streaming service, or say an energy collective. You thought you could stop after the fixed term. Suddenly you receive emails about an automatic renewal, or 12.95 euros are withdrawn for "processing fees" that were never mentioned before.
In cases like this there is often an unlawful renewal or charges, which you can recover.
Under the Wet Van Dam, a subscription can be cancelled monthly after the initial contract period. Hidden costs cannot be added without explicit acceptance upfront. If that did not happen, the amounts were paid without legal basis - and you are entitled to a refund.
What can you do?
- Find your original cancellation proof
- Send a formal notice of default
- Use legal pressure via Aidvocaten
Paying too much or unfairly? Submit your complaint and take control of your money.