Netflix Costs 2026: All Prices, Plans & Money-Saving Tips at a Glance

Netflix remains the top dog of the streaming market in 2026. But with regular price adjustments, the end of free account sharing and the introduction of the ad-supported plan, the price structure is more complex than ever. In this comprehensive guide you will learn everything about the current Netflix costs, technical requirements, hidden features and how to get the most out of your subscription.

Netflix prices at a glance (as of October 2026)

Netflix currently offers three main plans. Prices vary widely depending on the desired picture quality and the number of devices that can be used at the same time.

Plan	Price / month	Quality	Simultaneous streams
Standard with Ads	6.99 €	Full HD (1080p)	2 devices
Standard	15.99 €	Full HD (1080p)	2 devices
Premium	21.99 €	Ultra HD (4K) + HDR	4 devices

The Netflix plans in detail: which one suits you?

1. Standard with Ads (6.99 €)

This is the cheapest option for price-conscious streamers. For a long time Netflix refused advertising, but since the launch at the end of 2022 this model has become a growth driver.

Advantages: at 6.99 € the cheapest way in. Picture quality is Full HD (1080p), identical to the more expensive Standard plan.
Disadvantages: you must expect about 4–5 minutes of advertising per hour. According to the Netflix help centre, downloads are possible on up to two devices; a few titles are unavailable for licensing reasons (these are marked with a padlock symbol).
Special feature: extra members can only be added in the Standard and Premium plans.

2. Standard (15.99 €)

The classic ad-free experience. Since the “Basic” plan was dropped (formerly 7.99 €, then 9.99 €), this is now the cheapest way in without interruptions.

Advantages: completely ad-free, Full HD picture quality, downloads on up to two devices at the same time.
Extra member slots: for a surcharge of 4.99 €/month (with ads) or 5.99 €/month (without ads) you can add one person who does not live in your household.
Ideal for: couples or small households who value peace and good picture quality.

3. Premium (21.99 €)

The package for tech enthusiasts and large families.

Advantages: brilliant 4K Ultra HD picture, support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision as well as Netflix Spatial Audio (3D sound) for an immersive sound experience even without an expensive surround system.
Devices: streaming on up to four devices at the same time, downloads on six devices.
Extra members: up to two people outside the household can be added here for 4.99 € each (with ads) or 5.99 € (without ads).

Price development: why does Netflix keep getting more expensive?

Looking back over the last few years, you will notice: streaming is becoming a luxury good. While the Standard plan could be had for under 10 euros when it launched in Germany, the Premium plan is now at 21.99 €. The reasons are many:

Production costs: every year Netflix invests billions in its own productions (originals) to stay independent of other studios.
Market saturation: in countries like Germany almost everyone who wants to stream already has an account. Revenue increases therefore work primarily through price or by stopping account sharing.
Competition: Disney+, Paramount+ and Apple TV+ are fighting for the same licences, which drives up purchase prices for third-party content.

The golden age of password sharing is over. Netflix uses IP addresses, device IDs and Wi-Fi network data to determine whether a device belongs to the “Netflix household”.

How does Netflix define a household?

A household is all the devices that go online at the place where you primarily watch Netflix (usually defined via the TV). When you are travelling or on holiday you can still use Netflix, but occasionally have to confirm this with a code sent to the account holder’s email.

Extra members: the official solution

Instead of illegally passing on the password, Netflix now offers “extra member slots”. These people get their own account with their own profile and password, but billing goes through the main account holder.

Cost: 4.99 € per month with ads or 5.99 € per month without ads.
Restriction: the extra member must live in the same country as the account holder.

Tech check: do I really need the 4K plan?

Many users book the Premium plan although their hardware does not even make full use of it. Check the following points:

Monitor/TV: does your TV even have 4K resolution? (Older models often have only Full HD.)
Internet speed: for smooth 4K streaming Netflix recommends a stable connection of at least 25 Mbit/s.
Device: do you mainly watch on a smartphone or tablet? Full HD is usually perfectly sufficient here, since the human eye can barely tell the difference from 4K on small displays.

Data usage: a cost factor for mobile users

Anyone who streams a lot on the move should keep an eye on data usage so as not to run into throttling of their mobile plan.

Low: 0.3 GB per hour (basic quality).
Medium: 0.7 GB per hour (Full HD).
High: up to 3 GB per hour (Full HD) or 7 GB per hour (Ultra HD).

Pro tip: use the download function on Wi-Fi to save data volume and battery.

Insider tips: how to save real money on Netflix

Subscription hopping: subscribe to Netflix for just one month, watch your favourite series (e.g. Stranger Things or Squid Game) and cancel straight away. Then switch to another service.
Gift cards: buy Netflix credit during supermarket promotions (e.g. Rewe or Penny), which often come with bonus points or discounts.
Bundles: mobile providers such as Telekom (MagentaTV) or Vodafone often offer packages in which Netflix is already included or significantly discounted.
Ad-supported plan: if you can put up with the 4–5 minutes of advertising per hour, you save 108 euros a year compared with the Standard plan (6.99 € instead of 15.99 € per month).

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can I try Netflix for free?

No, the classic free month was abolished in Germany years ago. There are no official ways to get a free trial subscription.

When is my payment taken?

Netflix charges monthly on the day you signed up. If you signed up on the 15th, the next charge is on the 15th of the following month.

Does Netflix work abroad?

Within the EU you can use Netflix as usual thanks to the Portability Regulation. Outside the EU the offering can change (different films available), or you may have to temporarily confirm your household’s location for the trip.

Conclusion: which plan is the right one?

For singles and occasional users the ad-supported plan at 6.99 € is the cheapest choice. Couples who watch together are safest with the Standard plan at 15.99 €. Anyone with a high-end home cinema or who needs the maximum number of simultaneous streams cannot avoid the Premium package at 21.99 €.

In our streaming comparison, compare the current offers of the competition to find the perfect streaming mix for you!