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Erik Gruenwedel<\/a><\/p>\n April 7, 2026<\/p>\n An Italian court in Rome has ruled that Netflix illegally raised monthly subscriber rates from 2017 to 2024 without giving consumers a valid reason for the price hikes. The court said Netflix has 90 days to comply with the ruling and begin issuing affected subscribers a refund, or be subjected to a daily $800 fine.<\/p>\n Estimates suggest Netflix\u2019s total refund liability could top $2.3 billion if all eligible subscribers received a refund. Netflix, which ended 2025 with about 5.4 million paid subscribers in Italy, said it is appealing the decision.<\/p>\n \u201cAt Netflix, our members come first. We take consumer rights very seriously, and we believe our terms have always been in line with Italian law and practices,\u201d the streamer said in a statement.<\/p>\n The legal decision follows Netflix\u2019s second announced price hike in the United States in the past 12 months.<\/p>\n The Italian consumer advocacy group, Movimento Consumatori, which filed the original complaint, argues that Netflix allegedly violated the country\u2019s consumer code that mandates price hikes cannot be made without stating a legitimate reason for the increase.<\/p>\n Lawyers for the consumer group say Netflix owes a premium subscriber from 2017 to present a $577 refund, with a standard subscriber due $288. In addition, Netflix was ordered to lower monthly rates to $13.87 from $23.13 for premium subs, and to $11.56 from $16.19 for standard subs.\u00a0<\/p>\n If upheld, the ruling could represent a landmark action that could negatively impact all subscription streaming VOD platforms.<\/p>\n Netflix is reportedly seeing similar pricing litigation in Poland, Spain and Germany.<\/p>\n Subscribe HERE to the FREE Media Play News Daily Newsletter!<\/a><\/p>\n Related Posts<\/p>\n Netflix Informing Subs About 13%-18% Price Hikes<\/a><\/p>\n Just weeks ahead of its first-quarter fiscal results, Netflix has begun informing subscribers by email of previously-announced (in January) price hikes ranging from 13% to 18%. The increase adds $2 per month to the standard ($13) and premium ($16) plans\u2026<\/p>\n Survey: Netflix Subscribers Sensitive to Price Increases<\/a><\/p>\n At $1 more a month, 16% of Netflix subscribers were likely to either downgrade or cancel their subscription, according to a survey by The Diffusion Group (TDG) conducted just before the service\u2019s price increase announcement Jan. 15. Netflix upped its\u2026<\/p>\n