Picture: Bilanol / Shutterstock.com
Pay 30% more - just like that? Now it's clear: That wasn't possible!
Amazon had secretly turned the price screw: from 69 to 89.90 euros per year, from 7.99 to 8.99 euros per month. Effective from September 2022, this sounded like an insignificant adjustment of just one euro per month at the time - but was a hefty increase of a whopping 30 percent when billed annually.
It is now clear that this was unlawful.
On October 30, 2025, the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court(press release 42/2025) ruled that Amazon should not have been allowed to implement this price increase just like that. The reason: according to the court, the corresponding clause in the terms of use is invalid.
The problem: opaque clauses
In its GTC, Amazon had granted itself the right to adjust prices "at its reasonable discretion" - without further conditions and without the active consent of customers. In the court's view, this was a clear violation of consumer protection rights.
After all, anyone who takes out a subscription must be able to rely on what it will cost and when this will change. And not be surprised by price changes that are unilaterally determined by the provider.
The verdict is clear: Amazon should have either terminated the existing contract and offered a new one - with a clearly higher price. Or else: Customers should have actively agreed to this.
What does this mean for Prime customers?
For Prime users in Germany, this means that the price increase was unlawful. This opens up new possibilities:
Anyone affected can now demand repayment of the overpaid contributions.
The North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Advice Center is even preparing a class action lawsuit - participation should be possible via a central register of complaints.
The ruling is not yet legally binding because Amazon has appealed to the Federal Court of Justice. But the tone has been set - and the arguments are clear.
Particularly exciting: Amazon has already relented in a similar case in Austria, where customers were reimbursed following a complaint by the Chamber of Labor. Germany is (still) lagging behind here.
A damper for digital monopolists?
The ruling could have a signal effect far beyond Amazon. This is because many digital providers - whether streaming, software or delivery services - write price adjustments into their contracts at will. Without real control, without consent.
The court is sending out a clear signal here: Clear rules apply to current contracts - and consumers are not outlawed just because they have taken out a subscription.
Even the big players can't get away with everything
If companies think they can secretly tighten the price screw just because they are big enough to get away with it - then this ruling will prove them wrong. Transparency is not a "nice-to-have", but a duty. And customers are not cash cows. A clear no to GTC!
Sources: Consumer advice center NRW, OLG Düsseldorf, DIE ZEIT
Secure your rights as a consumer and get advice from our experts. Book an initial consultation now!
to the lawyerAt a fixed price of 169 EURO (gross)
