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German Register Opens for Collective Action Over Amazon’s 2022 Prime Price Hike

The opening of the federal register lets those who held Prime before the 2022 increase pursue direct redress through a court-led process.

Overview

  • The Bundesamt für Justiz has opened the verbandsklageregister, allowing affected Prime customers to enroll for free if their membership predated the 2022 increase.
  • The Verbraucherzentrale NRW filed an Abhilfeklage at the Higher Regional Court in Hamm in December 2025 (Az. I-13 VKl 1/25), and no oral hearing date has been set; registration remains possible until three weeks after the close of the hearing.
  • Participants could recover up to about €60 per person—some estimates cite up to €62.70—plus potential interest if the action succeeds, with amounts depending on plan type and duration.
  • Amazon raised Prime fees in 2022 from €7.99 to €8.99 per month and from €69 to €89.90 per year, with Prime Student prices also increased.
  • Lower courts in Düsseldorf found Amazon’s price-adjustment clause invalid, but those rulings are under appeal to the Federal Court of Justice; Amazon says it informed customers lawfully, and a separate Saxony-led case targets advertising on Prime Video.