Updated: 12 November 2025
1. Our Terms
1.1. These subscription terms and conditions (“Terms”) apply to all subscriptions offered and sold by The Observer, including any purchase by you of a Digital Subscription, Home Delivery Subscription and/or Subscription Card Subscription (each a "Subscription").
1.2. In these Terms:
1.2.1. “The Observer”, “we”, us” and “our” means Tortoise Media Ltd t/a The Observer, a limited company registered in England and Wales with company number 11100473 and registered office at The Harley Building, 77–79 New Cavendish Street, London, England, W1W 6XB;
1.2.2. “You” or “your” means the person purchasing a Subscription from The Observer pursuant to these Terms (or, where the context requires, a person purchasing a Bundled Subscription from The Guardian);
1.2.3. “Bundled Subscription” means a bundled subscription sold by The Guardian, which provides access to both The Guardian and The Observer content, as further described in Section 4(5) below. For the avoidance of doubt, “Bundled Subscriptions” are not “Subscriptions” for the purpose of these Terms;
1.2.4. “Digital Subscription” means either a Limited Digital Subscription or Unlimited Digital Subscription;
1.2.5. “Home Delivery Subscription” means a subscription sold by (or on behalf of) The Observer for home delivery of printed editions of the Newspaper and unlimited access to Observer Digital Content, as further described in Section 4(3) below;
1.2.6. “Limited Digital Subscription” means a subscription sold or made available by The Observer for limited access to the Observer Digital Content, as further described in Section 4(1) below;
1.2.7. “Newspaper” means The Observer’s print newspaper published on Sundays, including all of its supplements (including The New Review, The Observer Magazine, Observer Food Monthly, Business and Sport);
1.2.8. “Observer Digital Content” means The Observer’s online articles and content published via browsers, apps or any other digital means, incorporating content made available via www.observer.co.uk and any affiliate or successor websites;
1.2.9. “Subscription Card Subscription” means a subscription sold by (or on behalf of) The Observer for a subscription card which can be redeemed for printed editions of the Newspaper in participating retail outlets on a Sunday, as further described in Section 4(4) below;
1.2.10. “Third Party Services Provider” means any third party that The Observer engages to host, manage, administer, facilitate and/or deliver a Subscription (sold by The Observer) on its behalf; and
1.2.11. “Unlimited Digital Subscription” means a subscription sold by The Observer for unlimited access to all of the Observer Digital Content, as further described in Section 4(2) below.
1.3. By purchasing a Subscription from The Observer, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to comply with these Terms. Please read these Terms carefully.
1.4. As at the date of these Terms (see the date above), Guardian News and Media Limited ("The Guardian") has been engaged by us to manage the sales process for some of our Subscriptions – including Home Delivery Subscriptions and Subscription Card Subscriptions. In this context, The Guardian is acting as our Third Party Service Provider for the purposes of these Terms. Therefore, whilst you may purchase a Home Delivery Subscription and/or Subscription Card Subscription via The Guardian (either online or using their customer service desk), your Subscription contract in these circumstances is with us.
1.5. However, any Bundled Subscription (defined above) is only offered and sold by The Guardian (and not us). If you purchase a Bundled Subscription from The Guardian either online or using their customer service desk these Terms will not apply and your subscription contract will be with The Guardian only. This means The Guardian will be responsible for handling all queries, complaints and cancellation requests in relation to your Bundled Subscription (rather than us). Please see The Guardian website for a copy of terms and conditions that may apply to your Bundled Subscription.
1.6. These Terms apply to our Subscriptions only. For terms and conditions that apply to other services or promotions offered by us please refer to The Observer website.
1.7. If you have any questions about your subscription contract, including questions around which terms and conditions apply or a Third Party Service Provider's (including The Guardian's) role, please contact us using the contact details provided in the "contact us" Section 19 below.
1.8. We recommend that you save and print a copy of these Terms for your records. If you have any questions about our Terms, or would like us to email you a copy, please do not hesitate to get in touch using the contact details provided in the "contact us" Section 19 below.
1.9. Please read these Terms carefully to make sure you fully understand them. In particular, we draw your attention to Section 15 (Our responsibility to you), which explains how we limit our liability to you.
Subscriptions
2.1. Becoming a subscriber
2.1.1. You may place an order for: (a) a Digital Subscription to The Observer online on The Observer website; and/or (b) a Home Delivery Subscription or Subscription Card Subscription to The Observer via The Guardian, acting as our Third Party Service Provider, either online (via an Observer-branded web portal managed and hosted by The Guardian) or by telephone (using the contact details provided by The Guardian for their customer service desk).
2.1.2. When placing an order for your Subscription, you will need to provide us with some personal information, such as contact details and payment information, so that we can set up your Subscription.
2.1.3. When you submit your order, this constitutes an offer from you to purchase a Subscription from us. We will confirm acceptance of your order (and therefore when your Subscription is confirmed) via email, or, in instances where no email address is provided, by post.
2.1.4. To process your Subscription, we depend on the accuracy of all of the information you provide when you sign-up. Unfortunately, we can’t be held responsible if, for example, you do not receive our confirmation email because you made a mistake in the email address you provided to us.
2.1.5. If, either when you first place an order or at any time during your Subscription, you notice that the information you have given to us is wrong, you can update it by: (a) in respect of Digital Subscriptions, contacting us using the contact details set out in the “contact us” Section 19 below or, where available, via your self-service portal on your account; or (b) for Home Delivery Subscriptions and Subscription Card Subscriptions, contacting The Guardian using the contact details for their customer service desk.
2.1.6. We reserve the right to reject any order for any reason.
Subscriber requirements
3.1. All subscribers must be aged 18 years or older, have the power to enter into a binding legal contract with us, and must not be prevented from doing so under any applicable laws.
3.2. Subscribers to Home Delivery Subscriptions and/or Subscription Card Subscriptions must be UK residents. Non-UK residents are able to purchase Home Delivery Subscriptions and/or Subscription Card Subscriptions for UK-based residents as gifts.
3.3. Home Delivery Subscriptions are only available if we can provide delivery services to the address for the print edition of the Newspaper.
What does your Subscription include?
Your entitlements depend on your specific Subscription, as set out below:
4.1. Limited Digital Subscription
4.1.1. A Limited Digital Subscription entitles you to limited access to some Observer Digital Content for free. Some articles, premium features and exclusive materials on The Observer website will not be available to you as they are only available via paid Subscription.
4.1.2. Limited Digital Subscriptions are provided directly by us and you will be granted a Limited Digital Subscription for free by registering as a user on The Observer website.
4.2 Unlimited Digital Subscription
4.2.1. An Unlimited Digital Subscription entitles you to full access to all of the Observer Digital Content for the duration of your Subscription for a subscription fee. Enjoy all online articles, premium features and exclusive materials on The Observer website without restriction.
4.2.2. Unlimited Digital Subscriptions are sold directly by us and you can place your order for a Limited Digital Subscription via The Observer website.
4.3. Home Delivery Subscription
4.3.1. A Home Delivery Subscription entitles you to: (a) receive one printed copy of the Newspaper every Sunday, for the duration of your Subscription, delivered to your chosen address (either residential or work address); and (b) unlimited digital access to all Observer Digital Content.
4.3.2. Sales of Home Delivery Subscriptions are managed and administered by The Guardian on our behalf, acting as our Third Party Service Provider.
4.3.3. For Home Delivery Subscriptions, you will select the date you wish the Subscription to start as part of your purchase. Whilst we aim to complete any home delivery of Newspaper editions as early as possible on the day of publication to whichever postal address you’ve given, we cannot guarantee delivery on this date. Please contact The Guardian by 5:00pm using the contact details provided for their customer service desk (quoting your print subscription ID) on the day of delivery if you have not received your delivery of the relevant Newspaper edition and we will credit your account.
4.4. Subscription Card Subscription
4.4.1. A Subscription Card Subscription entitles you to: (a) a subscription card which can be redeemed against one or more printed copies of the Newspaper (up to the allocation chosen by you as part of your Subscription Card Subscription package) in participating retail outlets on a Sunday (see here (Store Finder) for information on participating retail outlets); and (b) unlimited digital access to all Observer Digital Content. In addition, you will also receive a home delivery letter which can be used for the purposes of home delivery in accordance with Section 4(4)(3) below.
4.4.2. The subscription card is valid for the duration of the Subscription Card Subscription purchased. We will contact you after your purchase to provide you with the digital barcode to redeem your subscription card.
4.4.3. If you wish to arrange home delivery for copies of the Newspaper purchased using subscription cards, you will need to arrange this with your local participating retail outlets. The retailer may charge you for this service. We do not provide this service, nor are we responsible for this service.
4.4.4. Sales of Subscription Card Subscriptions are managed and administered by The Guardian on our behalf, acting as our Third Party Service Provider.
4.5. Bundled Subscription
4.5.1. A Bundled Subscription is a subscription sold by The Guardian that provides you with access to both The Guardian and The Observer content (in both print and digital form).
4.5.2. Bundled Subscriptions are only offered, and sold, by The Guardian and are not offered or sold by us. If you purchase a Bundled Subscription, these Terms will not apply and your subscription contract will be directly with The Guardian only – please see The Guardian website for a copy of terms and conditions that may apply.
Additional free benefits that may be available to Subscribers from time to time
At our sole discretion from time to time, you may also receive free access to The Observer website, podcasts and Observer newsletters. Such access may vary (and cease) depending on your specific Subscription, including that your access may not be advertising free. Please note that this is a value add and does not form part of your Subscription. Please check The Observer website for further information.
Subscription holidays
6.1. Where applicable, you may request a holiday from your Home Delivery Subscription or Subscription Card Subscription of up to a total of 5 weeks in each calendar year. For Subscription Card Subscriptions, a holiday provides a credit on future billing to the value of the Newspapers that were redeemable during the holiday period. For Home Delivery Subscriptions, we will adjust your next payment after you notify the holiday to us to reflect the break in your Home Delivery Subscription.
6.2. If you would like to request a holiday, you can do this by providing at least two (2) days' notice through your account, or by contacting us using the contact details in the "contact us" Section 19 below.
Can I transfer my Subscription to someone else?
Any Subscription purchased is personal to you and must not be resold or transferred to anyone else (except where you purchase a Subscription as a gift for someone else).
Can I change my Subscription?
Unfortunately, we do not offer the ability for you to change your Subscription mid-way through your subscription term. If you wish to change to a different Subscription, please cancel your existing Subscription using your cancellation rights under these Terms and re-subscribe to a different Subscription package.
Term and auto-renewal
9.1. The duration of your Subscription and the frequency of your payments will vary depending on which Subscription package you have chosen (e.g. paid or unpaid subscription / monthly, quarterly or annually). We will let you know if a minimum term applies and what the minimum term is: (a) before you agree to purchase your Subscription; and (b) when we accept your order.
9.2. Auto-renewal
9.2.1. Unless expressly agreed with you in writing otherwise, all Subscriptions will automatically renew for the same period (e.g. monthly, quarterly or yearly), unless and until it is ended either by you or us (see Section 13). We will continue to take payment using your agreed Subscription payment method at the agreed frequency.
9.2.2. We will send you an email before your Subscription is due to automatically renew, explaining how you can cancel the auto-renewal or change your Subscription option.
Price and payment
10.1. Price
10.1.1. The price of your Subscription is the price stated as part of your order confirmation and/or any subsequent renewal confirmation email. This price will set out any promotional discounts that we have applied. Where we (or a Third Party Service Provider on our behalf) make available any discounts or promotional offers, only one discount or promotional offer can be used per Subscription.
10.1.2. If we discover any error in the price of your order, we will inform you as soon as possible and correct the price of your order. We will provide you with a credit or a refund for any amount overpaid. If you do not wish to continue your Subscription at the correct price, you may cancel your order.
10.2. Payment
10.2.1. Payment will be taken monthly, quarterly or annually (depending on which option selected when you subscribed), unless or until your subscription is cancelled in accordance with Section 13.
10.2.2. We do need you to provide us with complete and accurate payment information at the time you subscribe. When you submit credit or debit card details to us, you confirm that you have the express prior permission of the credit/debit card holder.
10.2.3. Payments can be made by direct debit, credit or debit card.
10.2.4. Your Subscription fee will be processed by The Observer.
10.2.5. If you have any queries about your Subscription price, payment options or payment intervals, then please get in touch with us using the details provided in the "contact us" Section 19 below.
Changes to the price/Subscription
11.1. We reserve the right to change the price of the Subscription at any time. Such increase will apply from the earlier of:
11.1.1. your next renewal; or
11.1.2. the billing date.
11.2. Prior to any change in price, we will notify you of such change at least thirty (30) days in advance so that you can decide whether you want to renew your Subscription or not. If you do not want to renew your Subscription, you should also cancel your payment and exercise your right to cancel.
Default payments
We may end or suspend your Subscription if we do not receive your payment when it is due, and if we haven’t received your payment within seven (7) days of us reminding you that it is due.
Refunds and cancellation of Subscription
13.1. Cooling off period
13.1.1. You have a legal right to change your mind and cancel your Subscription during the 'cooling off period'.
For print Subscriptions or print Subscriptions which include digital content: the cooling off period is fourteen (14) days from the date of first delivery of the first printed Newspaper edition delivered as part of your Subscription; and
For digital only Subscriptions: the cooling off period is fourteen (14) days from the day after the date that the contract for your Subscription started.
13.1.2. If you change your mind and wish to cancel your Subscription during the ‘cooling off period’:
you can contact us using the contact details provided in the "contact us" Section 19 below, or send to us the model cancellation form which is available at the end of these Terms at Annex A ("Cooling-off Cancellation Notice");
return any unused subscription cards that you have received as a part of your Subscription to us at your own cost within fourteen (14) days of your Cooling-off Cancellation Notice ("Return Period"). To find out how to do this, please contact us using the contact details provided in the "contact us" Section 19 below;
for Digital Subscriptions, we will refund you what you paid for your Subscription within 14 days of receipt of your Cooling-off Cancellation Notice to us;
for Home Delivery Subscriptions, we will refund you in accordance with Section 13(3) below within fourteen (14) days of receipt of your Cooling-off Cancellation Notice to us; and
for Subscription Card Subscriptions, we will refund you in accordance with Section 13(3) below within fourteen (14) days of receipt of your Return of Goods to us.
13.1.3. We will refund you in full where: (a) all subscription cards are returned to us within the Return Period (“Return of Goods”); and (b) any Newspaper editions were not received by you prior to receiving your Cooling Off Cancellation Notice. Alternatively, we will provide you with a pro-rata refund to reflect the value of any subscription cards not returned to us in the Return Period / any Newspaper editions received by you prior to receiving your Cooling Off Cancellation Notice.
13.2. Your right to cancel
13.2.1. Subject to the below, you have the right to cancel your Subscription at any time without giving us any reason by contacting us using the contact details provided in the "contact us" Section 19 below. This right applies in addition to any rights to cancel during the cooling off period as specified in Section 13(1) above.
13.2.2. Any cancellation under Section 13(2)(1), will be effective from the next billing date (provided the cancellation has been provided at least 5 working days prior to the next payment date) ("Cancellation Effective Date").
13.2.3. We will stop debiting any payments from your account or debit or credit card (as appropriate) and your Subscription will come to an end from the Cancellation Effective Date.
13.2.4. We will use the same payment method that you used to purchase your Subscription for any reimbursements or refunds, unless you tell us otherwise. We will not charge any fee in respect of the reimbursement or refund.
13.3. Our right to cancel / suspend Subscriptions
13.3.1. We may cancel or suspend your Subscription as a result of any breach by you of the Terms, including, if you do not make payment to us even after we have reminded you, or you fail to update us of a change of address and we are unable to deliver to you, or if we are required to do so for a legal or regulatory requirement. Where possible, we will notify you using your contact details provided in advance of any cancellation or suspension.
13.3.2. We may stop providing any Subscription option at any time. We will provide at least 30 days prior notice of this and refund any sums paid in advance for a Subscription which we will not provide.
Other than as set out above, we do not provide refunds on any Subscriptions unless:
it is our fault that we have not been able to provide the Subscription, or we are unable to fulfil the Subscription. We will provide a pro-rata refund for the remaining part of your Subscription;
where you are entitled to a refund under consumer law;
where you are entitled to a refund as part of a holiday from your Subscription;
there are exceptional circumstances that we will consider on a case by case basis.
Personal information
We will only use your personal information as set out in our privacy policy observer.co.uk/policy/privacy.
Our responsibility to you
15.1. We are not responsible for any losses you suffer that (a) was not caused by us breaching these Terms; (b) are unforeseeable (loss or damage if foreseeable if either it is obvious that it will happen or if, at the time these Terms were entered into, both we and you knew it might happen); (c) are caused by circumstances outside our control; or (d) are losses that you could have avoided by taking reasonable action.
15.2. Our responsibility to you for losses suffered in connection with your Subscription will not exceed the total subscription fees paid by you (which in all cases, including rolling Subscriptions, will be a maximum of the preceding 12 months).
15.3. Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence or the negligence of any of our employees or agents; fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited by applicable law.
15.4. These Terms do not impact any rights you are entitled to under applicable law. For more information on these please see the Citizens Advice website www.citizensadvice.org.uk. If you think there is something wrong with your Subscription, please contact us using the “contact us” details at Section 19 below.
15.5. We have no liability to you in relation to any Bundled Subscription you purchase from The Guardian. Your contract for any Bundled Subscription is with The Guardian only (and not us) which means any complaints, issues or claims you may have in relation to such Bundled Subscription must be directed to The Guardian. Please refer to The Guardian terms and conditions for further information about your Bundled Subscription and any associated contractual rights you might have.
General
16.1. We may transfer our rights and obligations under these Terms to another organisation. In such circumstances, we will let you know in advance so that you can decide whether you wish to proceed with your next renewal. You may not transfer your rights or your obligations under these Terms without getting our consent in writing first.
16.2. Even if we delay in enforcing these Terms, we can still enforce later. We might not immediately chase you for not doing something you should do under these Terms (for example, paying), or for doing something that you’re not allowed to do, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do it later.
16.3. We shall not be responsible for any failure to perform our obligations to you if such failure is caused by circumstances beyond our control, provided we contact you to let you know and do what we can to reduce the delay. If the delay is likely to be substantial you can contact us using the contact details at Section 19 to end your Subscription and receive a pro-rata refund.
16.4. We shall not be responsible for any failure to fulfil any aspect of your Subscription if this is due to the supply of incorrect details by you.
16.5. These Terms are between us and you. Nobody else can enforce them and neither of us will need to ask anybody else for permission to end or change them
16.6. If any Section of these Terms is held to be unenforceable, invalid or illegal, it shall not affect or impair the enforceability, legality or validity of the rest of the Terms.
16.7. These Terms are governed by English law and wherever you live you can bring claims against us in the English courts. If you live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can also bring claims against us in the courts of the country you live in. We can claim against you in the courts of the country you live in.
Changes
17.1. We may update the Subscriptions or these Terms from time to time to ensure for legal or regulatory obligations/reasons, to make minor technical adjustments and improvements to make sure these Terms are sufficient to operate the Subscription service.
17.2. If we make any significant amendments or changes that could affect the Subscription, we will let you know in advance so that you can decide whether you wish to cancel your Subscription by contacting us using the contact details provided in the "contact us" Section 19 below, or proceed with your next renewal. The amended Terms will apply to your Subscription from your next renewal date after we notify you of such changes.
17.3 For the avoidance of doubt, changes to a Third Party Service Provider (as defined in Section 1) shall not be considered a significant change.
Corporate Information
Your Subscription is provided by Tortoise Media Ltd, t/a The Observer (company number 11100473). Registered address: The Harley Building, 77-79 New Cavendish Street, London, W1W 6XB. VAT number: 285864058
Contact Us
You may refer to The Observer’s FAQ page at https://observer.co.uk/faqs for answers to commonly asked questions relating to your Subscription or contact us via https://observer.co.uk/about/contact-us.
Annex A: Model Cancellation Form
To: Tortoise Media Ltd
Address: The Harley Building, 77-79 New Cavendish Street, London, W1W 6XB
Email: subscribers@observer.co.uk
I/We [*] hereby give notice that I/we [*] cancel my/our [*] contract of sale of the following goods [*]/for the supply of the following service [*],
Ordered on [*]/received on [*],
Name of consumer(s),
Address of consumer(s),
Signature of consumer(s) (only if this form is notified on paper),
Date
[*] Delete as appropriate
It is not obligatory to use this Model Cancellation Form. It is easiest and quickest to contact us using our contact details set out at the top of these Terms of Use. However, if you do wish to use this Model Cancellation Form, please send it to us at the email or postal address set out above.