October 31, 2025, 7:00 am | Read time: 4 minutes
The Amazon Prime price increase in 2022 continues to concern consumer advocates and customers. After being declared inadmissible by the Düsseldorf Regional Court in the spring, the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court has now confirmed the ruling in the second instance.
Accordingly, the price adjustment clause used by Amazon in 2022 for the Prime subscription is invalid (Case No. I-20 U 19/25, 10/30/2025). The court dismissed the company’s appeal and agreed with the view of the Consumer Center NRW, which argued that Amazon should not have increased prices unilaterally and without transparent criteria. A price increase without the explicit consent of customers is inadmissible.
“This is an important signal for consumers,” said Wolfgang Schuldzinski, CEO of the Consumer Center NRW. “Companies cannot adjust prices for ongoing contracts at will.”
Consumers can demand a refund of the overpaid amounts from Amazon based on the ruling. Additionally, the Consumer Center NRW plans a class action to collectively claim the refunds. The ruling is not yet final, as the Federal Court of Justice has allowed an appeal.
Amazon Prime Price Increase Leads to Legal Dispute
In the summer of 2022, Amazon informed its Prime customers in Germany about a planned price increase. The internet giant justified the move at the time with “general and significant cost changes due to inflation.” Since September 15, 2022, the monthly membership costs 8.99 euros instead of 7.99 euros, an increase of 12.5 percent. For annual payments, the price rose from 69 euros to 89.90 euros—an increase of 30.3 percent.
The Consumer Center NRW criticized the price adjustment clause. Wolfgang Schuldzinski, CEO of the Consumer Center, stated that a price increase without the explicit consent of customers is legally untenable. The case went to court.
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Amazon Defends Against Accusations
In the first instance, the Düsseldorf Regional Court ruled that Amazon’s price adjustment clause was inadmissible and sided with the consumer advocates (Case No. 12 O 293/22). The adjustment was made without the explicit consent of customers and is therefore invalid.
However, Amazon saw it differently and defended against the accusations. In a statement available to TECHBOOK, the company emphasized in the spring that it had complied with applicable regulations in 2022 and had always communicated transparently with customers. “We are always working to provide a great customer experience; the trust of our customers and transparency are our highest priorities. We have informed customers transparently and in compliance with applicable law about the changes to the Prime membership fee. Customers always have the right to cancel their Prime membership at any time, and we have repeatedly provided clear information about this in our communications.”
Amazon appealed, and the case went to the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court, whose ruling is now also available and favors the consumer advocates and customers.
Refunds Possible for Millions of Customers
Amazon customers who used the Prime annual subscription before the price increase have since overpaid up to 62.70 euros per year. For monthly subscriptions, the difference is up to 28.00 euros. Given the millions of affected Prime users in Germany, Amazon may have to provide refunds in the hundreds of millions.
To ensure the refund, the Consumer Center NRW plans a class action. Affected individuals can register online and join the lawsuit without having to take action against Amazon themselves. Once the Consumer Center NRW files the lawsuit, the Federal Office of Justice will open the so-called lawsuit register. Once it is online, affected customers can easily register there and participate in the class action.
If the courts decide in favor of the consumers, the refund will be automatic. However, the process could take years. Alternatively, customers could agree to voluntary refunds from Amazon, as has been practiced in similar cases in Austria. After negotiations, Amazon decided to compensate affected customers there. Depending on the contract duration, up to 36.50 euros were refunded, either as a bank transfer or as a voucher.