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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 or refund after you send your final bill.
| Provider | Offer at time of checking | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| BT | Up to £300 | Send your final bill from your old provider within four months of activation |
| Vodafone | Up to £200 on selected deals | Switcher credit after you join |
| Sky | Up to £200 | Claim after you join |
Offers checked on 15 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.
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 your provider goes out of business
Your service should usually continue while administrators look for a buyer, as happened with TalkTalk in October 2026. 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.
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.
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.