Your rights
New UK subscription rules: status and expected start date
legislation.gov.uk · GOV.UKLast checked 11 Nov 2026
The DMCC Act 2024 created a new regime for subscription contracts. As of our check on 11 November 2026, it is not yet in force.
What the official pages say
- legislation.gov.uk marks the subscription contract sections of the DMCC Act 2024 (Part 4 Chapter 2) as prospective, meaning not yet in force.
- The draft Consumer Subscription Contracts (Cancellation and Information) Regulations 2026 state they would come into force on 1 January 2027, but the page says it is a draft that has not yet been made.
- The GOV.UK press release of 2 April 2026 said the rules were expected to come into force in spring 2027.
What the regime would add
- Reminders before free or discounted trials end, or 12-month-plus contracts automatically renew (GOV.UK).
- Online exits for online sign-ups (GOV.UK; DMCC Act s.260).
- A new 14-day cooling-off period after a free or discounted trial ends, or when a contract renews for 12 months or longer (GOV.UK).
The government's estimates
GOV.UK estimates 155 million active subscriptions in the UK, nearly 10 million of them believed to be unwanted, and savings of around £400 million a year. These are government estimates.
Quick answers
Are the new subscription rules in force?
No, not as of 11 November 2026. The draft regulations name 1 January 2027; GOV.UK's April 2026 release said spring 2027.
What can I rely on today?
Existing rights, such as the 14-day cooling-off under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 and stopping recurring card payments.