The gym won't quit the money for the passes? The law stands by your side in 2025

New year's zeal, a desire to change lifestyles, or a gift from a loved one? Reasons for purchasing gym ticketThere are many. Unfortunately, life frequently verifies our plans. An injury, a decision or simply a deficiency of time makes the fitness club card lie in the wallet and the money from the account disappear. Many Poles are convinced that in specified a situation they are in a lost position. Nothing more wrong. In 2025, regulations supported by the position Office for Competition and Consumer Protection (OCT), clearly indicate that in many cases you have the full right to recover your money. They frequently trust heavy on the ignorance of customers, utilizing in contracts records that are simply illegal. Time to learn your rights and regain control of your finances.

When does the gym gotta return the money? Key principles

The basis for pursuing your rights is the kind of agreement you signed. It's up to her records how easy it's gonna be to get her money back. In principle, 2 types of contracts be on the market: Indeterminate contracts and fixed-term contracts (e.g. for 12 months). Contrary to appearances, even the other, seemingly "binding" agreement, is not a situation without an exit.

In case of Indeterminate contractsThe case is comparatively simple. According to the civilian Code, you can pronounce it at any time by retaining the period of announcement laid down in the regulations (usually 1 month). The gym is obliged to reimburse you for the unused period after the deadline for notice. Problems start with future contracts. Fitness clubs frequently claim that specified a contract must proceed to the end and there is no anticipation of breaking it earlier. That's not true. UOKiK has repeatedly stressedthat the consumer must be able to terminate the contract before the deadline due to the existence of ‘important reasons’ which prevent the continued usage of the services.

“Important Reasons”, that is, your cash back door

What are the “important reasons” mentioned? It's a key concept that opens the way for money back. The law does not specify them in the form of a closed catalogue, but court practice and jurisprudence have drawn up a list of situations which are almost always considered as a adequate basis to terminate the contract. If you are in 1 of the following situations, your chances of recovering money for a ticket They grow drastically.

The main ‘important reasons’ include:

• Sudden illness or injury: If your health, confirmed by a medical certificate, prevents you from exercising, the gym cannot force you to proceed paying. This is 1 of the most common and strongest grounds to say.
• Change of residence: Moving to another town or far adequate enough to get to the club becomes irrational, is besides considered an crucial reason.
• Financial deterioration: abrupt occupation failure or another random event that importantly affects your budget may be an argument to terminate the contract.
• Change of offer by gym: If the club has eliminated the classes you attended, closed the sauna or drastically changed the beginning hours, this is simply a change in the terms of the contract that entitles you to break it.

Remember that it is your work to prove that there is simply a “important reason”. Therefore, it is crucial to have documentation, specified as medical certificate whether a paper confirming the change of registered address.

How do you get your money back for unused passes step by step?

Once you know you have the right to act, you must proceed to the formalities. Chaos emails or telephone calls at reception seldom work. Be methodical and professional. First of all, precisely read your contract and regulations. Note the period of announcement and the procedure for resignation. Then prepare a formal letter – termination. It should include your data, date, contract number and, most importantly, a clear indication of the reason for your resignation (that is, your ‘important reason’) and the legal basis (you may trust on Article 495 §2 of the civilian Code).

Make a request in writing reimbursement of a proportional amount for the unused membership period and give the bank account number. So prepared paper submitted in individual at the club, demanding confirmation of receipt on a copy, or send a registered letter for return acknowledgement of receipt. This is your proof in case of further problems. If the gym refuses to return money or ignores your handwriting, the next step is to ask for aid to Urban or Regional Consumer Rights Ombudsman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

What to watch out for by signing a contract? Avoid future problems

The best way to avoid fighting for your money is to prevent it. Before you sign with the gym in 2025, take a minute to analyse it. Watch out for the so-called. Abusive clauses, that is, unauthorised contractual agreements. The UOKiK maintains a registry of specified clauses, and the most common ones include those which completely exclude the anticipation of early termination of a word contract or impose grossly advanced contractual penalties on the consumer for resignation.

Always ask for the anticipation ‘freezing’ of carnet for a certain time. It is simply a flexible solution that can save you in the event of a short-term illness or holiday. Check your announcement period thoroughly – the shorter, the better for you. Don't let the force of time and promotional offers fool you. A quiet reading of the contract at home is the best investment that can save you nerves and money in the future. Remember that as a consumer you have your rights, and cognition is your strongest weapon in fighting unfair practices.