At least in the Netherlands, and as far as I know the whole EU you have a right to cancel the same way as you sign up.
My last personal experience was also a dark pattern. Tried cancelling a newspaper, was informed that I was to late for the recurring year subscription, did I want to cancel after this subscription? So I asked about the legal right of to the notice period of a month, and yes sure that was also possible. Would I like to use my credit for another subscription? No I want my money back, oh yeah that's possible.
My last personal experience was also a dark pattern. Tried cancelling a newspaper, was informed that I was to late for the recurring year subscription, did I want to cancel after this subscription? So I asked about the legal right of to the notice period of a month, and yes sure that was also possible. Would I like to use my credit for another subscription? No I want my money back, oh yeah that's possible.
This should be way easier...