INDUSTRIES, TELECOMMUNICATIONS | The CJEU rules on end-users’ right to terminate contracts following changes required by EU law interpretation

On 12 March 2026, the EU Court of Justice (CJEU) delivered its judgement in case C-514/24 (Magyar Telekom), clarifying the scope of Article 105(4) of the Directive (EU) 2018/1972 establishing the European Electronic Communications Code, under which end-users have the right to terminate their contract with a provider of electronic communications services without incurring additional costs, unless the contractual modification is directly imposed by EU or national law. The CJEU held that this right also applies where the provider unilaterally amends the contract in order to comply with an interpretation of EU law arising from a preliminary ruling of the CJEU, guidelines issued by the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), or a decision of a national regulatory authority. Such measures do not constitute legislative or regulatory changes directly imposed by EU or national law and therefore do not fall within the relevant exception. The judgment confirms that those exceptions must be interpreted strictly, ensuring a high level of consumer protection in the electronic communications sector.

Newsletter n. 117 – April 2026