October 5, 2026, 9:21 am | Read time: 3 minutes
For around 22.7 million ADAC members, membership will become more expensive in 2027. The automobile club is significantly increasing its fees depending on the chosen plan. However, the price hike is coming later than originally planned. The new fees were supposed to take effect in January, but necessary processes are delayed.
ADAC delegates decided on the higher fees back in May. The automobile club cited rising costs, including for roadside assistance and life-saving services, as the reason. The fees had previously remained stable for more than six years.
Why the Fee Increase Is Delayed
For individual members, the membership cost will increase by 10 to 35 euros per year, depending on the plan. The adjustment is particularly significant for the premium plan for one person with a partner and children. Here, the annual fee rises by 55 euros from the current 239 to 294 euros.
Members were originally supposed to pay the higher fees starting in January. Officially, it was stated: “The plan was originally to implement the fee adjustment on January 1, 2027.” However, the necessary approval from the responsible financial authority, the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt), is still missing. This approval was expected to be available by the main assembly in May.
ADAC spokeswoman Katrin van Randenborgh explains: “The main assembly made its decision consciously subject to necessary processes. At the same time, it was assumed that the processes would be completed to adjust the fees from January 1, 2027. Since there are delays, the fee adjustment will not be implemented on January 1.”
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New Fees Expected in the First Half of 2027
While it is certain that membership will become more expensive, it is still unclear when members will actually have to pay the higher fees. ADAC expects to introduce the new fees during the first half of 2027. Members will be given ample time to adjust to the change beforehand.
“The background is that ADAC wants to inform members transparently and in a timely manner, three months in advance, before the fee adjustment is implemented,” the ADAC spokeswoman added.
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The additional services planned for 2027, however, will start as scheduled in January. This includes, among other things, 24/7 legal advice for traffic accidents.
Fee Increase Follows Turbulent Months
The price adjustment also comes during a challenging period for ADAC. In February, ADAC Traffic President Gerhard Hillebrand resigned. He had advocated for higher fuel prices to encourage drivers of diesel and gasoline vehicles to switch to more climate-friendly alternatives like electric cars.
His statements sparked criticism. After several weeks and 60,000 resignations, ADAC took action.