Notice Period for Cancelling a UK Card Machine

Most UK card machine contracts require 30 to 90 days written notice to cancel. Rolling monthly contracts (Dojo, SumUp, Zettle, Square, Tide) typically take 30 days. Fixed term contracts (Worldpay, Elavon, Barclaycard, Lloyds Cardnet, NatWest Tyl) usually require 60 to 90 days. Notice must be in writing, by recorded delivery or tracked email. The notice period runs from the date the provider acknowledges receipt, not from the date you sent it. Plan switchover at least 4 months ahead for a fixed term contract.

What this means for your business

Notice periods on UK card machine contracts vary by provider and by contract type. Rolling monthly contracts treat the notice as a 30-day period from notification, after which the merchant agreement terminates and any final settlement runs. Fixed term contracts often require 60 to 90 days notice and the notice has to be given within a specific window (usually ending one calendar month before the term end), or the contract auto-renews for another year. Read the contract carefully for the notice window definition.

Written notice means a documented communication. Acceptable formats: tracked email to the support address listed in the contract, recorded delivery letter to the registered office, or in-portal cancellation form where the provider offers one. A phone call alone is not legally sufficient notice on any major UK contract. Keep proof of receipt (delivery confirmation, email read receipt, portal acknowledgement screenshot). The notice clock starts when the provider acknowledges receipt, not when you sent it.

Plan switchover at least 4 months ahead on a fixed term contract. The sequence: give notice (day 0), wait for acknowledgement (day 1 to 5), the 60 to 90 day notice runs (day 5 to 95), terminal collection and return (day 90 to 110), final settlement and reserve release (day 90 to 180). Running this in parallel with new acquirer setup needs the new provider to be active by day 60 at the latest, with the old provider winding down through the notice period.

Key points

Most UK card machine contracts require 30 to 90 days written notice
Rolling contracts (Dojo, SumUp, Zettle, Square) typically 30 days
Fixed term contracts (Worldpay, Elavon, Barclaycard) typically 60 to 90 days
Notice must be written, tracked email or recorded delivery accepted
Notice clock starts at provider acknowledgement, not at sending
Auto-renewal traps catch out merchants who miss the notice window
Plan switchover at least 4 months ahead for fixed term contracts

Common pitfalls

Missing the notice window before auto-renewal, this commits to another full term
Giving notice by phone only without written follow-up, this does not start the notice clock
Assuming the new provider handles cancellation, the merchant gives notice directly
Cancelling the direct debit during notice, this is a merchant breach and accelerates fees

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