Netflix increases prices in Germany and eliminates ad-free basic subscription

A little more than two years after the last price increase, the most popular streaming service in Germany is becoming more expensive again. The justification remains the same. Netflix will no longer offer the basic subscription in the future.

The video streaming market leader Netflix is ​​increasing prices in Germany again after more than two years. The most expensive "Premium" subscription with 4K picture quality and 3D sound now costs 21.99 euros per month instead of 19.99 euros, according to information on the Netflix website for Germany. For the “standard” subscription with a full HD image and fewer devices that can be used at the same time, the price increases from 13.99 to 15.99 euros. The subscription with advertising increases from 4.99 euros to 6.99 euros.

Since Netflix has been cracking down on password free riders who don't live in the same household, there is an additional fee for such users. In the promotional subscription the price increases from 3.99 to 4.99 euros and in the other two models from 4.99 to 5.99 euros. Netflix is ​​phasing out the ad-free basic subscription in which existing customers were still able to remain.

Regular price increases

Netflix last increased prices in Germany in April 2024. The service is by far the most used video streaming provider and regularly increases prices. “As we continually increase the added value we offer our members, we occasionally ask them to pay a little more,” the company always says. So far, enough customers have accepted the higher prices that Netflix's business continues to grow.

Despite the price increases, Netflix remains on track economically: at the end of 2025, the service had more than 325 million paying memberships worldwide, and sales rose by 16 percent to around $45 billion for the year as a whole. In Germany, however, competition has now become tighter: According to the market share report from the comparison portal JustWatch, Amazon Prime Video was in the fourth quarter of 2025 with 26 percent, just ahead of Netflix with 25 percent market share, while Disney+ had 19 percent.

In Austria, where the cheaper subscription with advertising will only be introduced next year, the basic price will rise from 8.99 to 10.99 euros. In the home market of the USA, the premium subscription now costs $26.99. Netflix also points out that an attractive range of programs requires high investments.