Over 130,000 consumers join German class action against Amazon over 2022 Prime price hike
The Verbraucherzentrale NRW consumer group says more than 130,000 people have registered for a class action challenging Amazon's 2022 Prime membership price increase, which courts have already deemed unlawful.
The class action
More than 130,000 consumers have now registered for a class action lawsuit brought by the consumer advice centre of North Rhine-Westphalia (Verbraucherzentrale NRW) against Amazon's 2022 Prime price increase. The consumer group confirmed the figure on 10 June 2026. Registration remains open, and affected customers can still join the action.
The class action (case number I-13 VKl 1/25) was filed in December 2025 at the Higher Regional Court of Hamm (Oberlandesgericht Hamm). The Federal Office of Justice (Bundesamt für Justiz, BfJ) opened a claims register in January 2026. No date has yet been set for the Hamm court to hear the case. According to the BfJ, consumers can register up to three weeks after the close of oral proceedings.
What customers could recover
If the class action succeeds, registered consumers could reclaim overpaid subscription fees. Alina Baumann of Verbraucherzentrale NRW said the amount currently stands at up to around 60 euros, depending on the tariff. She noted that the figure could rise further if the proceedings continue for longer.
Depending on the tariff, that can currently be up to around 60 euros. If the proceedings continue for longer, this amount could rise further.
The price increase and earlier rulings
Amazon raised the price of its Prime subscription in Germany in the summer of 2022. Since September 2022, customers on an annual plan have paid 89.90 euros, up from 69 euros, while monthly subscribers pay 8.99 euros, up from 7.99 euros. The company cited higher costs as the reason for the increase. The consumer group says millions of customers were affected.
The consumer centre challenged the increase in court. Both the regional court (Landgericht) and, on appeal, the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf (Oberlandesgericht Düsseldorf) ruled in favour of the consumer advocates. The Düsseldorf court declared the price adjustment clause in Amazon's German Prime membership programme invalid.
Amazon's response
Amazon has rejected the allegations. A company spokesperson said customers were informed transparently and in compliance with applicable law about the changes to the Prime membership fee.
We informed customers transparently and in compliance with applicable law about the changes to the Prime membership fee.
The company added that customers always have the right to cancel their Prime membership at any time, and that clear information to this effect was repeatedly provided in its communications. Because Amazon disagrees with the Düsseldorf court's ruling, it has filed an appeal (Revision) with the Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof). The Düsseldorf decision is therefore not yet legally binding.
- Amazon raises Prime prices: annual fee from €69 to €89.90, monthly from €7.99 to €8.99
- Düsseldorf regional court rules price adjustment clause invalid
- Düsseldorf higher regional court upholds ruling on appeal; Amazon files Revision with Federal Court of Justice
- Verbraucherzentrale NRW files class action at Hamm Higher Regional Court (Az. I-13 VKl 1/25)
- Federal Office of Justice opens claims register
- Over 130,000 consumers registered; registration remains open
What Prime includes
Prime members receive faster and free shipping, photo storage, and a film streaming offering. The subscription benefits remained unchanged through the price increase.
