Can someone advise me. I am leaving the Netherlands for the USA. I am trying to cancel my cell phone contract which has one year left to run. My provider wants me to pay the contract off to cancel. Is this right? Do I have to pay. I was told if I de-registered at the city council they will provide a document that can release me from these contracts.

Isn't it that way everywhere? I ended up giving my mobile to my mother before I left Canada because otherwise I would have had to buy out a year's worth of my contract...I just thought that standard practice internationally...like gym memberships...

Some of the things you are eligible to cancel when moving, like membesrhip at Fysiofitness, for an example. It probably varies from the provider to provider and I don't think there is a general rule.