Leaving a broadband contract before the minimum term ends usually costs money, but less often than people fear. Ofcom limits how much a provider can charge, and in several situations you can leave without paying an exit fee at all.
The rule on exit fees
An early termination charge can’t be more than the payments left on your contract, and in some cases it can be much less. Your contract summary or your provider’s app should show the current figure. Ask for it in writing before you decide.
Ways to leave without an exit fee
| Situation | Free to leave? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Your minimum term has ended | Yes, you only give notice | Give notice or switch; see our switching guide |
| Within 14 days of ordering | Yes, though you may pay for service already used | Cancel with the provider you ordered from |
| Price rise beyond what you agreed at sign up | Yes, after at least a month’s notice | Tell the provider you want to leave before the deadline in its notice; see broadband price rises |
| Speed below your guaranteed minimum, not fixed within 30 days | Yes, with providers signed up to Ofcom’s speeds code | Report the problem, keep test results and ask to leave |
| Moving to a social tariff | Ofcom says your provider might waive the fee | Ask before switching |
| Moving home where the provider can’t serve you | Depends on the provider’s terms | Check the moving home section of the terms |
| Provider changes your contract to your disadvantage | Usually yes, after notice | Check the notice for your right to exit |
Let the new provider pay
Some providers cover part or all of your exit fees when you switch to them, usually as a bill credit after you send your final bill.
| Provider | Offer at time of checking | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| BT | Up to £300 | By invitation only for new customers. Email your final bill within 2 months of activation; paid as account credit |
| Vodafone | Up to £300 | Send your final bill showing the exit fee after you join; paid as account credit |
| Sky | Up to £200 | Claim after you join |
| EE | Up to £200, or £300 with TV | Email your final bill within 4 months of activation; paid as account credit |
Offers checked on 22 October 2026 and subject to each provider’s terms. Confirm the current offer before you order.
Working out whether leaving pays
Compare two numbers: what you would pay to stay until the end of your contract, and the exit fee plus the cost of the new deal over the same months, minus any reward or switcher credit. If the second figure is lower, leaving makes sense.
For most people, the cheapest move is to wait until the contract ends, then switch straight away. Our switching guide explains the process, and our best broadband guide lists the deals worth moving to.
How to cancel your broadband contract
- Check your contract end date and the exit fee, if any, in your provider’s app or account.
- If you are moving to a new provider, don’t cancel yourself. Order the new service, and One Touch Switch ends your old contract on the switch date.
- If you are not replacing the service, for example because you are moving abroad or combining homes, contact your provider to give notice. Most need 30 days.
- Send back the router and any other kit your provider asks for. Keep the postage receipt in case a non-return charge appears later.
- Check your final bill and keep it, especially if a new provider is paying your exit fee.
Moving home
Tell your provider as soon as you have a moving date. Most will move your broadband to your new address if they can serve it, sometimes on a new minimum term. If they can’t, check the terms: some providers charge the full exit fee, others reduce it. If you expect to move again soon, a rolling or 12 month contract avoids the same problem next time.
Bereavement and other changes in circumstances
If the account holder has died, most large providers have a dedicated team and usually close the account without an exit fee. Contact the provider with a copy of the death certificate, or ask whether someone else in the home can take over the account.
If you are moving into a care home, moving abroad or facing financial difficulty, explain your situation to your provider before you pay anything. Providers aren’t always required to waive the fee in these cases, but many will reduce or cancel it.
If your provider goes out of business
Your service should usually continue while administrators look for a buyer, as TalkTalk customers saw in 2026 before BT bought the business. Our news story on BT buying TalkTalk explains what it means for TalkTalk customers. Ofcom publishes advice for customers when a provider fails, and it is wise to wait for that guidance before paying any exit fee.
FAQs
How much does it cost to leave a broadband contract early?
No more than the payments left on the contract, and often less. Ask your provider for the exact figure.
Can I cancel broadband within 14 days?
Yes. You have 14 calendar days from ordering to cancel. You may have to pay for any service you have already used.
Do I pay an exit fee if I’m out of contract?
No. Once your minimum term has ended, you only need to give notice, which is usually 30 days. Switch through One Touch Switch and any notice period simply ends on the day your new service starts. Our switching guide explains how.
Can I leave my contract if my broadband is slow?
If your provider is signed up to Ofcom’s broadband speeds code and your speed stays below the guaranteed minimum for 30 days after you report it, you can leave without an exit fee. Our guide to what broadband speed you need explains how to test your line properly.
Can I leave if my provider raises its prices?
Only if the rise goes beyond what you agreed at sign up. Rises set out in pounds and pence in your contract don’t give you a right to leave.
Can I leave my broadband contract if I move house?
You can, but you may pay an exit fee if your provider can serve your new address and you choose to leave. If it can’t serve the new address, check its terms, as some providers reduce or waive the fee.