Cancellation by email: proof of sending and confirmation

German source reviewed on 22 September 2026.

With SnapCancel, you can create a cancellation letter as a free PDF or send it by email if that option is available for the provider. SnapCancel's proof of sending records the technical delivery status. It confirms neither compliance with a notice period nor the end of your contract. Keep the provider's reply as well.

Is an email sufficient for my contract?

Many consumer contracts can be cancelled in text form. The Verbraucherzentrale particularly mentions contracts entered into on or after 1 October 2016. Employment and rental contracts are subject to different formal requirements. First check the type of contract and cancellation method. Clearly identify yourself and the contract, for example with your name, address, customer number and contract number.

Source: Verbraucherzentrale: cancellation by email.

What does SnapCancel record?

After sending by email, your personal status page provides a copy of the cancellation letter and the available proof of sending. The proof includes the order reference, recipient, recorded sending time and, where available, the SHA-256 hash of the PDF sent.

The hash helps identify the corresponding file. It does not establish whether the provider has read the cancellation or which contract end date it confirms. SnapCancel's email asks the provider to reply to the email address you supplied. Check that inbox and its spam folder as well.

What should I keep?

Keep the cancellation letter, proof of sending and the provider's entire reply together with your contract documents. Compare the contract number and confirmed end date. The Verbraucherzentrale points out that you must be able to prove receipt if there is a dispute; requesting a read receipt is not a reliable safeguard. For emails you send yourself, it also recommends saving the message with the recipient address and sending time.

What should I do if no confirmation arrives?

First check the address used, the order status and any error messages. Refer to your original cancellation when asking the provider whether it was received and what the end date is. If a deadline is close, do not rely solely on a reply; clarify another suitable cancellation method in good time. If receipt or the contract end date is disputed, a consumer advice service can assess your specific case.

How do I get started with SnapCancel?

Search for your provider on the homepage. Its page lists documented contact methods and, where available, a direct online option. The form shows the available delivery methods. You must send a downloaded PDF yourself; downloading it alone does not send a cancellation.

The cancellation methods report shows which methods are documented in our dataset. The contact methods counted there are no guarantee that every channel is enabled for sending through SnapCancel.