What you pay for a Spotify yearly subscription
Spotify offers a yearly plan that charges you once per year instead of month to month. The annual price varies by country and changes periodically — in the United States it is currently $119.99 per year, but you should check Spotify's website for your region's current rate before you commit. You pay the full amount upfront, then your subscription renews automatically on the same date each year.
The yearly plan gives you the same features as the monthly plan: unlimited skips, no ads on the free tier equivalent, offline downloads, and access to Spotify's full catalog. The main difference is cost — paying yearly typically costs less per month than paying monthly would. For example, if the monthly plan costs $11.99 and you pay for twelve months, you spend $143.88; the yearly plan at $119.99 saves you roughly $24 per year.
Spotify also offers a Premium Family plan on a yearly basis, which covers up to six household members. The Family plan costs more than the individual yearly plan but spreads across multiple people, so the per-person cost is lower if everyone in your household uses Spotify.
Key Takeaways
- Spotify's yearly subscription charges one lump sum once per year, usually costing less per month than the monthly plan.
- You can cancel anytime, but you do not get a refund for unused months — Spotify treats the yearly payment as non-refundable.
- Your subscription renews automatically on the anniversary of your purchase date unless you cancel before that date arrives.
- A Family plan on a yearly basis covers up to six people and costs more upfront but less per person than six individual yearly subscriptions.
- The yearly price varies by country and may change, so confirm the current rate in your region before purchasing.
How to buy a yearly subscription
Start by going to Spotify.com and clicking on the Premium option. You will see a choice between monthly and yearly plans. Select the yearly option and choose whether you want an individual plan or a Family plan. Spotify will ask you to sign in or create an account if you do not have one already.
Next, enter a payment method. Spotify accepts credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and gift cards. After you confirm your payment details, Spotify will charge your account when ready for the full year. You will receive a confirmation email with your receipt and subscription details.
If you already have a monthly subscription and want to switch to yearly, you can change your plan in your account settings under "Subscription." Spotify will prorate the change — meaning if you have paid for part of a month already, that amount will be credited toward your yearly plan.
What happens when your subscription renews
Spotify will automatically charge your payment method on the same date each year that you originally purchased the plan. For example, if you buy a yearly subscription on March 15, Spotify will charge you again on March 15 of the following year. You will receive an email reminder a few days before the renewal date.
If your payment method has expired or been declined, Spotify will try to charge you again over the next few days. If the charge continues to fail, your subscription will pause until you update your payment information. You can still listen to music on the free tier while you resolve the payment issue.
Canceling before the year ends
You can cancel your yearly subscription at any time through your account settings. However, Spotify does not refund the money you have already paid — the yearly plan is treated as a non-refundable purchase. Once you cancel, your subscription will remain active until the renewal date, then it will end.
For example, if you buy a yearly plan on January 1 and cancel on June 1, you keep your Premium features through December 31 of that year. On January 1 of the next year, your subscription will not renew, and you will be downgraded to the free tier unless you purchase a new plan.
If you cancel and then change your mind, you can reactivate your subscription by purchasing a new plan. Spotify will not restore your old plan — you will be buying a fresh subscription starting from the date you reactivate.
Comparing yearly to monthly plans
The yearly plan saves money if you plan to use Spotify for the full twelve months. The monthly plan costs more per month but gives you flexibility — you can cancel anytime without losing money on unused time. Choose yearly if you are confident you will keep the subscription; choose monthly if you are unsure or want the option to pause without penalty.
The Family plan on a yearly basis is the most cost-effective option if multiple people in your household use Spotify. Each family member gets their own account, personalized recommendations, and the ability to read music on their own devices. The Family plan costs more upfront than an individual plan but less per person when divided among six users.
Student plans and other promotional offers may also be available in your region. These sometimes have different pricing than the standard yearly plan, so check Spotify's website to see what options are available to you.
Payment methods and billing
Spotify accepts most major credit and debit cards, PayPal, and Spotify gift cards. When you purchase a yearly subscription, the full amount is charged when ready — there is no payment plan or installment option. Your billing address should match the address on your payment method to avoid declined charges.
If you use a gift card to pay for a yearly subscription, the full card value will be applied to your account. If the card does not have enough balance to cover the full yearly price, you will need to add another payment method to complete the purchase.
Your receipt and billing information are available in your account settings under "Billing." You can read invoices from this page if you need them for record-keeping or tax purposes.
Regional differences and price changes
Spotify's yearly subscription price varies significantly by country. The United States price is different from Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other regions. Currency exchange rates and local market conditions affect these prices. Before you purchase, confirm the price in your specific country on Spotify's website.
Spotify occasionally raises subscription prices. When this happens, existing subscribers are usually notified by email before the price increase takes effect. If you have an active yearly subscription, the new price will explore when your subscription renews the following year — not when ready. This gives you time to decide whether to keep the subscription at the new rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I cancel my yearly subscription early?
No. Spotify treats yearly subscriptions as non-refundable purchases. Once you buy a yearly plan, you cannot get your money back even if you cancel the next day. You will keep your Premium features until the renewal date, then your subscription will end.
What happens if my payment method fails when my subscription renews?
Spotify will attempt to charge your payment method again over the next few days. If the charge continues to fail, your subscription will pause and you will be downgraded to the free tier. You can reactivate by updating your payment information in your account settings.
Can I switch from yearly to monthly without losing money?
You can change your plan anytime, but Spotify will not refund the unused portion of your yearly subscription. If you switch to monthly before your year is up, you lose the remaining credit. It is usually better to wait until your yearly subscription renews before switching to monthly.
Does the Family plan yearly subscription cover everyone equally?
Yes. Each of the six family members gets the same Premium features and their own separate account. The yearly Family plan price is split among however many people use it — there is no per-person surcharge. Everyone renews on the same date each year.
What if the price increases before my yearly subscription renews?
Price increases do not affect your current yearly subscription. You will pay the same amount when you renew next year. The new price applies only when your subscription renews after the increase takes effect.