Spotify raises prices in France for second consecutive year

Spotify has increased its subscription prices in France for the second year in a row, making it the most expensive major music streaming platform in the country.

From July, the monthly cost of an individual Spotify Premium plan will rise from €11.12 to €12.14. 

The Duo plan increases from €15.17 to €17.20, the Student plan from €6.06 to €7.07, and the Family plan from €18.21 to €21.24 - breaking the €20 barrier for the first time.

The price rise means Spotify now charges more than Apple Music and French rival Deezer for equivalent plans. 

In comparison, the Apple’s Family offer costs €16.99 a month, Amazon Music’s €17.99, and Deezer’s €19.99. 

For students, Apple Music and Deezer both remain cheaper at €5.99 a month.

Read more: Spotify announces new audiobook offer in France

Social media backlash

The announcement has triggered backlash on social media, especially after Spotify’s France and Benelux director Antoine Monin said just last month that no price increase was planned.

Spotify justified the decision by saying it needs to “continue to innovate our product offerings and features” and “offer the best possible experience”.

The company gave a similar explanation when it raised prices in 2024, citing the introduction of a French government-backed ‘streaming tax’ aimed at supporting the music industry.

But critics say subscribers are being asked to pay more without receiving new features in return.

In particular, many are still waiting for the long-promised Spotify HiFi option, which is available on rival platforms like Apple Music and Tidal.

Spotify remains the biggest global player in the streaming market and says it paid €1.7 billion in royalties to European artists last year. 

However, it is also frequently criticised over how little artists receive per stream compared to other services.