The Federal Court of Justice has ruled that Amazon Prime’s 2022 price increase is invalid. Existing customers affected by this decision will return to the old prices starting October 2: 69 euros per year instead of 89.90 euros, and 7.99 euros per month instead of 8.99 euros. Amazon has already notified the affected members via email about the automatic change.
Here’s what the Federal Court of Justice ruled
On October 1, 2026, the Third Civil Senate of the Federal Court of Justice overturned the price adjustment clause that Amazon had used in September 2022 to raise the annual Prime fee by approximately 30 percent (Case No. III ZR 205/25). In the judges’ view, it was not clearly apparent to customers whether Amazon was permitted to change the price unilaterally or whether they could have objected to an increase. A clause that leaves this point open does not meet the requirements for transparent general terms and conditions under Section 307 of the German Civil Code (BGB).
The Federal Court of Justice (BGH) thus upheld the decisions of the lower courts: The Düsseldorf Regional Court had already declared the clause invalid in January 2025, and the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court confirmed this ruling in October 2025. The North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Protection Agency had filed the lawsuit.
Who Benefits from the Price Reduction
The price reduction applies exclusively to existing customers whose Prime membership began before September 15, 2022, and has been active continuously since then. For them, the old rate will apply again starting with the next payment date:
- Annual membership: 69 euros instead of 89.90 euros
- Monthly membership: 7.99 euros instead of 8.99 euros
Anyone who signed up for a Prime subscription after the effective date will continue to pay the regular price of 89.90 euros per year. The ruling applies only to the original 2022 price increase, not to subsequent price adjustments or fees for individual Prime services such as Prime Video.
The Amazon Email: Here’s What It Says
Amazon has since sent direct emails to affected members. The email states that, “due to a court ruling regarding the implementation of a 2022 price change,” the fee will be “temporarily” reduced from 89.90 to 69 euros per year starting October 2, and that the new price will apply starting with the next payment. Customers do not need to take any further action; all existing Prime benefits will remain in effect.
The use of the word “temporarily” is no coincidence: Amazon has no further legal recourse against the ruling; all legal avenues have been exhausted with the Federal Court of Justice’s decision. Theoretically, however, Amazon could try to push through another price increase with a new clause—one that is transparently worded this time. Until then, the old price applies to existing customers.
What about money already paid?
The BGH ruled only on the validity of the clause; it did not automatically rule on refunds for the excess fees paid since 2022. Anyone who wants to claim a refund for the difference can do so individually by contacting Amazon or join the class-action lawsuit before the Hamm Higher Regional Court (Case No. I-13 VKl 1/25). More than 145,000 consumers have already registered for this free of charge in the lawsuit registry at the Federal Office of Justice.
Depending on the type of contract and payment period, this amounts to up to 20 euros per year for an annual membership or around 12 euros per year for a monthly membership. By registering, you simply ensure that the statute of limitations does not expire, but you do not have to decide immediately whether to participate.
What you should do now
- Check when your Prime subscription began. September 15, 2022, is the key cutoff date.
- Before your next payment is charged, check your Amazon account and billing information so you can track the change.
- Anyone who wants to reclaim overpaid subscription fees can register with the Federal Office of Justice’s class-action registry to join the class-action lawsuit before the Higher Regional Court of Hamm.
Conclusion
According to the Federal Court of Justice, the 2022 Amazon Prime price increase was invalid because the underlying clause was worded too vaguely. For existing customers, this means a lower subscription price effective immediately; however, for now, this is only “temporary” and does not include an automatic refund of any additional costs already incurred. Anyone who has been a Prime member for a long time and has overpaid should take a closer look at the ongoing class-action lawsuit before the Higher Regional Court of Hamm.
