Amazon Prime is available for millions of Germans at half price

A lot becomes more expensive due to inflation. The mail order company Amazon has also made its prime offer-but there is a loophole for many.

• Streaming provider Netflix and Amazon Prime Video attract prices-and lose customers
• Millions of Germans and Austrians can use Amazon Prime on cheaper conditions
• around 2.49 million German citizens are exempt from the broadcast contribution payment
• recipient of ALG II or social benefit can free themselves from radio contribution payment
• If you don't have to pay a broadcasting fee, Amazon Prime can use for 3.99 euros per month
• recipient of ALG I or housing benefit alone is not sufficient for broadcasting entitlement

NRW-Inflation makes a lot more expensive. Accordingly, numerous consumers become price-sensitive, the inflation reduces purchasing power and consumption mood. This also feels the streaming services such as Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, which have increased their prices due to inflation. But a large group could continue to use Prime, Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Gaming and Premium shipping at significantly cheaper conditions.

Streaming provider Netflix and Amazon Prime Video attract prices-and lose customers

Finally, streaming services had to accept something unusual. After the numbers of customers had continued to climb in Corona pandemic, both at Amazon Prime Video and Netflix, numerous dismissals. In the first quarter of this year alone, Netflix announced the loss of around 200,000 customers, reports the IDF (more service news on ).

For the first time since 2011, Netflix had to accept a decline in customer numbers. The company had previously increased prices regularly. This summer, Amazon Prime has followed up and now demands 89.90 euros instead of 69 euros a year from his customers, which is 8.99 euros per month instead of 7.99 euros. The American company gave inflation as the reason.

Millions of Germans and Austrians can use Amazon Prime on cheaper conditions

If you are no longer ready to spend more for Amazon Prime Video, Music, Gaming etc. in view of the illustrious space travel of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos or Austrian customers meet certain requirements

This does not mean that you must be enrolled for a course of study. After all, students and trainees have been able to save 50 percent in the first vocational training at the Amazon Prime subscription.

In order to attract younger customers, the first six months of student membership are even free of charge. However, after four years or the end of their studies, the subscription is converted into regular membership.

around 2.49 million German citizens are exempt from the broadcast contribution payment

The shipping giant apparently wants to skim further customer potential. As Amazon explains on his homepage, customers who are freed from the radio contribution/GIS or have a social pass could complete a 50% discounted prime membership. According to the 2021 annual report, this affects around 2.49 million people, of which more than 1.6 million people receive from social benefit or unemployment benefit II.

In this case, you do not have to pay 8.99 euros, but only 3.99 euros per month and thus just under 48 euros a year. But the corresponding group should not get used to this price, because the next increase is already in the starting blocks. From January 17, 2023, Amazon will increase the fee from 3.99 euros to 4.49 euros, the company announced on its homepage.

recipient of ALG II or social benefit can free themselves from radio contribution payment

A right to the exemption from the controversial but still mandatory broadcasting contribution are those who, for example, receive unemployment benefit II or social benefit (including services according to § 22 Social Code (SGB) II). The online application can be filled out on the homepage.

In order to benefit from the discount, those entitled to receive must be verified online via the homepage. There, Amazon requires the specification of the contribution number and also the corresponding liberation receipt, which can be uploaded under the Select file field.

If you don't have to pay a broadcasting fee, Amazon Prime can use for 3.99 euros per month

In addition to the exemption from broadcasting contribution, users can also upload their social/family pass or Austrian GIS liberation. After twelve months, one may have to prove a new qualification, explains Amazon.

The offer can be terminated at any time. After successful verification, the customers freed from the radio contribution can also use Prime Video, Prime Music, Gaming Guaranties and on the premium shipping.

recipient of ALG I or housing benefit alone is not sufficient for broadcasting entitlement

However, if you receive unemployment benefit I, transition allowance or housing benefit, you cannot be released by the round radio contribution. This group therefore has no way to secure the Amazon Prime membership on the cheaper conditions of 3.99 euros a month on this basis. The subscription usually begins with a 30-day free period. Rubric list picture: © Jakub Korzybski/Imago; U. J. Alexander/Imago; Collage: Julian Kaiser/