Cancelling electronic subscriptions (Abos, streaming services) – authorization of the heirs

Cancelling electronic subscriptions (Abos, streaming services) after death

How can heirs proceed – and what are the legal conditions for terminating digital contracts?

In today’s digital world, online subscriptions have become part of everyday life, including:

• streaming platforms such as Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Prime,

• subscriptions to digital newspapers and magazines,

• cloud storage services like iCloud, Google One,

• paid apps on smartphones and computers.

When the subscriber dies, a number of sensitive legal and practical questions arise:
Who is entitled to cancel these contracts? Do they automatically pass to the heirs? Can prepaid fees be refunded?

This article answers these questions step by step.

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1. Do subscriptions end automatically upon death?

No.
Digital subscriptions generally do not end automatically. They only stop on their own if, for example:

• they renew monthly and the payment method is blocked after death (e.g. account closed, card cancelled), or

• the provider has been officially informed of the death and terminates the contract.

Most digital service providers do not check death registers. This means that payments often continue unless someone intervenes.

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2. Who has the right to cancel?

In most cases, the following are entitled to cancel:

• the legal heirs, or

• persons with a formal power of attorney, such as:

  • a durable power of attorney,

  • a certificate of inheritance (Erbschein),

  • or a notarised power of attorney.

They may either:

• access the account (if login data or a digital legacy arrangement is available), or

• contact the provider directly, prove the death, and request closure or termination of the contract.

Major platforms such as Apple and Google often apply strict rules and may require:

• a certificate of inheritance,

• sometimes a court order,

• and official proof of the heir’s identity.

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3. What documents are needed to cancel?

Each service has its own conditions, but the following documents are usually required:

• death certificate (Sterbeurkunde) – original or certified copy,

• certificate of inheritance (Erbschein) or other legal authorisation,

• a formal cancellation letter,

• details of the account or contract, such as:

  • e-mail address linked to the account,

  • customer number,

  • contract or subscription number.

If the provider is based outside Germany, it is often advisable to submit the request in English.

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4. Can prepaid amounts be refunded?

Refund options depend on the type of subscription:

In the event of death, early termination fees are usually not applied.

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5. What about digital data and personal content?

Some providers now offer a kind of “digital legacy account”, such as Apple’s Digital Legacy or Facebook’s memorialisation options.

Depending on the platform, heirs may be allowed to:

• download the deceased’s photos, files, and other personal content,

• permanently delete the account,

• or have it converted into a memorial account.

The exact procedure depends on each provider’s privacy policy and terms of service. It is important to check the specific “legacy”, “after death”, or “memorial” rules of the service in question.

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Sample cancellation letter (due to death)

To: [Name of company / service]
Customer number: [if available]
E-mail address of the account: [linked e-mail]

Subject: Cancellation of subscription due to death

Dear Sir or Madam,

I hereby cancel the above-mentioned subscription due to the death of Mr/Mrs [name of the deceased] at the earliest possible date.

As proof, I enclose a copy of the death certificate as well as the certificate of inheritance / legal authorisation.

Please confirm this cancellation in writing and kindly inform me whether a pro rata refund of already paid fees is possible.

Yours faithfully,
[Name of heir / authorised person]
[Address]
[Phone / e-mail]

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Conclusion

Cancelling electronic subscriptions after the subscriber’s death requires:

• active intervention by the heirs,

• submission of the death certificate and proof of inheritance,

• a formal written cancellation,

• and ongoing monitoring of automatic payments until all contracts are fully terminated.

If this issue is neglected, charges may continue for months, even though no one uses the services. Early and well-organised action is therefore clearly in the heirs’ best interest and an important part of managing the digital estate.

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The editorial team of this website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors or uncertainties cannot be completely ruled out. Please treat the information provided as an initial reference and always consult the competent authorities or professionals for binding advice.