YouTube Premium prices are rising globally after US increase
YouTube Premium is raising its subscription prices in several markets around the world, following a US price increase earlier this year. Here’s what the latest changes mean for YouTube users, artists and the wider streaming industry.
YouTube Premium is getting more expensive for subscribers in a growing number of countries.
Following a price increase in the US earlier this year, Google is now raising YouTube Premium prices across several international markets.
The latest changes are another sign of the rising cost of streaming subscriptions, with platforms looking for new ways to grow revenue while continuing to invest in their services and creator ecosystems.
YouTube Premium prices are increasing worldwide
According to 9to5Google, Google has confirmed price increases for YouTube Premium subscribers in several international markets. The increases vary by region, but appear to be around 10–15% in many of the affected countries.
Some of the increases reported so far include:
- Parts of Europe: €13.99 → €15.99
- Finland: €14.99 → €16.99
- Romania: RON 29 → RON 32
- Singapore: $13.98 → $15.98
- Singapore Family: $27.98 → $31.98
Affected subscribers will see the new price applied from their next billing date on or after 23 September 2026. YouTube says users should be notified about price increases by email before they take effect.
Not every country has been confirmed as affected yet, so the exact change will depend on where you subscribe.
YouTube Premium already got more expensive in the US
The international increases follow a price hike in the US earlier this year. Those raises saw the standard YouTube Premium subscription increase from $13.99 to $15.99 per month, while the Family plan rose from $22.99 to $26.99.
YouTube Music Premium also increased from $10.99 to $11.99 per month, while Premium Lite moved from $7.99 to $8.99.
That US increase was the first YouTube Premium price rise there since 2023.
The latest international changes therefore represent a much wider rollout of the platform’s new pricing strategy rather than an isolated adjustment in one market.
What does the YouTube Premium price increase mean for artists?
For independent artists, the biggest question is whether higher subscription prices could change how people use streaming platforms.
There is always a risk that consumers start cutting back when several subscriptions become more expensive at once. YouTube isn’t the only platform increasing prices, with Apple Music and Amazon Music also increasing their prices this year. Plus, it’s becoming a broader trend across both music and video streaming.
However, higher Premium prices don’t automatically mean bad news for artists. If subscribers continue paying for YouTube Premium, the platform has a larger pool of subscription revenue to distribute across its creator ecosystem. For musicians, that makes YouTube Music and YouTube itself increasingly important places to have an official presence.
Make sure your music is available on YouTube Music
As streaming platforms continue to adjust their prices and business models, independent artists can benefit from keeping their music available wherever their fans are listening.
With RouteNote, you can distribute your music to YouTube Music alongside other major streaming platforms around the world.
That means your releases can continue reaching listeners across different services while you build your audience and earn royalties from your music.
Distribute your music with RouteNote for free and start reaching listeners around the world.