Business03 April, 20261 min read
Rome Court Rules Netflix Price Hikes Unlawful, Orders Millions In Refunds
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Rome court ruled Netflix price increases in Italy (2017–2024) unlawful, ordering refunds up to €500. Millions of Italian subscribers eligible for refunds.
Court Invalidates Price Hikes
A Rome court ruled Netflix's price increases between 2017 and 2024 were unlawful. The ruling stemmed from a lawsuit by Movimento Consumatori arguing Netflix violated the Consumer Code.
The court found Netflix's contracts failed to explain why prices might change in the future. Unlawful increases amounted to 8 euros per month on Premium, 4 euros on Standard.
Refunds Could Total Hundreds of Millions
Netflix's subscriber base grew from 1.9 million in 2019 to 5.4 million in 2025. A Premium subscriber could claim around 500 euros in refunds.
The court ordered Netflix to inform customers within 90 days and warned of daily fines. Alessandro Mostaccio threatened a class action if Netflix fails to act.
Broader European Trend
The Italian ruling fits into a broader European pattern of consumer pushback. Consumer groups in Germany and Spain have challenged similar terms. The court emphasized that advance notice is not a substitute for contractual transparency.