Spotify is getting pricier in France, but with a choice
Image credit: Dorian Hurst
Spotify have announced price increases in France but it will also come with an option to pay less for music streaming.
Spotify are raising prices again in France. Spotify subscription prices in France were increased last May, but only by 1.2% for an ignorable €0.13 more a month.
This time, Spotify are making a more significant jump this time of just over 9%. Starting today an Individual Spotify subscription will rise to €12.14 from €11.12. Duo, Family, and Student subscriptions will also raise to €17.20, €21.24, and €7.07 respectively.
Spotify say that the reason for the price increase is “so that we can continue to invest in and innovate on our product features and bring users the best experience”. Last year, Spotify’s minimal price rise was to counteract the streaming tax introduced by the country.
However, for listeners in France who don’t want to pay more Spotify are introducing another option. Starting June 2nd, Spotify will offer French users a ‘Basic’ tier subscription that offers ad-free music streaming without additional audiobook hours included.
The price of a Spotify Basic Individual subscription is the same as a Premium subscription before today. Duo and Family subscriptions to the Basic tier are also available, at €15.17 and €18.21 respectively.
In their email, Spotify said that a Basic subscription “is offered to subscribers who were subscribed to a Premium Individual, Duo or Family plan as of June 2nd (when Basic will launch)”. They strongly suggest that Basic will not be available to the market at large, adding that Spotify Basic is “for existing subscribers in France”.
Spotify Basic first launched in the U.S. last June. The Basic tier is confirmed to also be available to listeners in the UK. Spotify’s website says: “If you don’t see Basic as an available plan in your account you’re currently not eligible.
Spotify plan to raise prices across Europe and Latin America this year. This follows price rises across the board for music streaming in the last couple of years, which has finally had to budge after years of static prices despite inflation.