IrelandA gym is refusing to let me cancel my membership.
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022, you have the right to cancel a gym membership within 14 days of signing up — and in some cases, later — if the gym failed to give you proper cancellation information or used unfair terms.
What the Law Says
The Consumer Rights Act 2022 gives consumers strong protections when signing up for ongoing services like gym memberships — especially where contracts are long-term or automatically renew.
Section 132 of the Consumer Rights Act 2022 specifically deals with 'contracts for the supply of digital content or services'. Gym memberships fall under 'services' — particularly where they involve recurring payments and automatic renewal.
If the gym did not provide clear, written information about your right to cancel — including how, when, and what fees (if any) apply — the cancellation period may be extended beyond the standard 14 days.
The law also bans unfair contract terms — such as clauses that lock you in for years with no reasonable exit, or hidden penalties that are disproportionate to the gym’s actual loss.
Statutory TextA consumer who enters into a contract for the supply of a service… shall have a right to cancel the contract within 14 days beginning on the day on which the contract is entered into.
— Consumer Rights Act 2022, s. 132 — Right to cancel contracts for services
What to Do
Check your contract and any emails or receipts for written cancellation instructions — the gym must have given these before you signed.
Send a clear, dated written cancellation notice (email or letter) quoting section 132 of the Consumer Rights Act 2022.
If the gym refuses or ignores you, contact the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) at ccpc.ie or call 0818 07 4000.
Keep copies of all communication — this may be needed if the CCPC investigates or if you seek a refund through the Small Claims Court.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.