What sending your cancellation by burofax actually guarantees

A burofax with acknowledgment of receipt doesn't cancel the contract for you — the company still has to process it. What it gives you is proof: of the date, the content, and the delivery. Here's exactly what that means, and what it's worth if something goes wrong.

The four concrete things you get

The date is locked in. The exact day you communicated your cancellation is on record: notice periods, contract lock-ins and renewals all count from that date, not from whenever the company claims to have received it.
They can't claim it never arrived. The acknowledgment of receipt certifies delivery and the exact content of your request. No more «we have no record of your cancellation».
If they call to talk you out of it, you don't have to agree to anything. Your cancellation is already valid in writing; the letter expressly requests that all handling be done in writing, not by phone.
If they keep charging you, you have the proof. With the receipt you can claim a refund from the company, from consumer authorities, or ultimately in court.

What a burofax doesn't do

It's worth being honest about this: a burofax doesn't force the company to process your cancellation correctly, and it doesn't stop them from calling to try to retain you. On its own it also isn't a refund guarantee if you've already been charged wrongly — for that you need to file a complaint (see how to claim a cancellation a company won't process). What it does do, unconditionally, is leave you with the proof you need to win that complaint if it comes to that.

Electronic vs. postal burofax

The electronic burofax we offer (€4.99) has the same legal validity as a traditional postal one (which can cost up to €36), with the difference that the recipient signs electronically with a recognised digital certificate to access the notification. We cover this comparison in more detail in electronic vs. postal burofax.

What if I'd rather cancel directly with the company?

If the provider lets you cancel online from your account and it actually works, that's the fastest route — try it first. The problem shows up when the cancel button fails, doesn't exist, or when you cancel and they keep charging you anyway: at that point, having nothing in writing with a date and acknowledgment of receipt leaves you with nothing but your word against theirs.

Generate your cancellation letter free

The PDF is free, no signup required. If you want, we'll send it for you as an electronic burofax with acknowledgment of receipt for €4.99.

Create my cancellation letter

Free PDF · Optional burofax delivery €4.99 · No signup

Frequently asked questions

Does the burofax cancel the contract automatically?

No. The burofax verifiably communicates your cancellation, but the company still has to process it. What you get is proof that you communicated it, and from what date — the basis for any complaint if they fail to process it.

What if the company claims it never received my cancellation?

The acknowledgment of receipt disproves that: it legally certifies delivery and the exact content of your request. That's the proof you need if the company denies it or keeps charging you.

Wouldn't an email or WhatsApp message work just as well?

They can serve as supporting evidence, but they don't carry the same legal weight: on their own they don't certify delivery or exact content to a third party. A burofax with acknowledgment of receipt is the legally recognised way to prove this reliably.

I sent the burofax and they're still charging me — what now?

With the receipt you can claim a refund directly from the company and, if they don't respond, escalate it to consumer authorities or the relevant sector body. We walk through the process in how to claim a cancellation a company won't process.