Many students try a music, streaming or AI subscription for free first. Then the full price often starts without much fuss. This guide shows what student subscriptions cost after the trial period in autumn 2026, how long the student price lasts and how you can cancel in time. An overview of AI offers is also available in our guide AI Tools for Students in Germany 2026 (in German).
Short answer: After the trial, most student subscriptions switch to a student price, and that price only applies while your student status is confirmed. Documented in October 2026 are, for example, Spotify Premium Student with one month free and then 6.99 euros per month, and Apple Music for students with 6.99 euros per month after the first month. Last updated: October 2026, offers change often.
The key points
- A trial is only free if you cancel in time. The first payment usually follows automatically at the end of the test period.
- Student prices require a valid student status. Providers usually ask you to confirm it again after 12 months.
- Many offers are time-limited. Spotify and Apple Music grant the student price for up to four years according to the provider, then the regular price applies.
- For online contracts with recurring payments, the provider must offer a cancellation button under section 312k of the German Civil Code (BGB).
- Enter the end date of the trial in your calendar on the day you sign up, before the first payment is due.
Which student subscriptions cost what after the trial?
The table reflects the provider pages as accessed on 26 October 2026. Where only US dollars are stated, we do not give a euro amount. The length of the student price depends on your student status in each case.
| Offer | Benefit | Regular price | Student price | Duration | Verification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spotify Premium Student | Music streaming without ads | 12.99 euros per month | 6.99 euros per month, one month free | Up to 4 years | University portal or enrolment certificate via SheerID |
| Apple Music for Students | Music, Apple TV included | 11.99 euros per month | 6.99 euros per month, one month free | Up to 4 years | Proof of student status |
| Deezer Student | Music streaming | 11.99 euros per month | one month free, then 5.99 euros per month for 12 months, then 11.99 euros | Per provider, check terms | Students at universities |
| Google AI Plus | Gemini AI assistant | See Google page | 12-month trial at no charge | 12 months | SheerID with university email |
| Google AI Pro (student rate) | Extended Gemini access | Amount not confirmed, discounted | Discounted, amount not confirmed | Up to 4 years | Renewed about every 12 months |
| Mistral Le Chat Pro (Education) | Le Chat Pro AI assistant | 14.99 USD per month | 5.99 USD per month | Maximum 12 months | Student verification, new customers only |
| Financial Times (Student Standard Digital) | Digital newspaper | 429 euros per year | 209 euros per year | Annual | Student status |
What does a student subscription cost over the full term?
Trial periods renew automatically with most providers. The student price only remains if the verification is renewed. A worked example shows the difference. Assumption: you book Spotify Premium Student on 1 November 2026, the first month is free and you then pay the student price without a break. The first year then costs 11 times 6.99 euros, which is 76.89 euros. At the regular price it would be 12 times 12.99 euros, which is 155.88 euros. In this case the offer saves about 79 euros, as long as you actually use it.
What matters is the end date. Once the verification expires, the price usually jumps to the regular tariff. Whether the contract then continues or ends is governed by the provider’s terms. Read them before you sign up and save them as a PDF.
How do I cancel a trial subscription in time?
For online contracts with recurring payments, section 312k BGB requires the provider to offer a cancellation button on its website. The button must be labelled “Verträge hier kündigen” or with a clearly equivalent wording. After clicking it, you must confirm the cancellation, and the confirmation must be storable so that the date and time of the declaration are recognisable.
- Log in to your account with the provider and look for a section called “Subscription” or “Membership”.
- Note the date of the next payment and any notice period.
- Confirm the cancellation via the cancellation button or the contact form.
- Save the confirmation as a PDF and check after one or two days that the payment has really stopped.
Why trials often end up costing more than expected
A free trial looks like a gift but is usually a marketing tool. Providers expect that some users will stay after the test period because the subscription gets lost in everyday life. The cost trap rarely comes from the price alone. It usually comes from three small decisions: you sign up without noting the end date, you rely on a reminder that never arrives, and you only cancel once the first payment has already gone through.
Students face one more point. If your student price depends on a verification, you lose it exactly when something changes in your studies, for example when you change university, take a semester off or finish your degree. The price then rises without further notice. A short check of your account every three months prevents most surprises.
What happens after your studies?
Your student status ends with your enrolment. With services that have a time limit, such as Spotify or Apple Music, the regular price applies once the entitlement runs out. Some providers switch you to a regular tariff, others end the offer or ask you first. If you do not react, you will not necessarily pay nothing, but often the full price. The confirmation email and the terms of the provider state what exactly applies.
Are there student subscriptions without a trial?
Yes, some services offer a permanently reduced price as long as you study. Others rely on a one-off free period. Which variant suits you depends on how often you use the service. Your university may also provide campus licences that make a discount unnecessary. An overview of software and app discounts is available in our guide Student Discounts for Software and Apps 2026 (in German).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to add a payment method for a student subscription?
That depends on the provider. Many services ask for a payment method when you sign up, even if the trial is free. Check in the booking process whether you can start without card details, and decide after that.
Will I receive a reminder before the trial ends?
Some providers send an email shortly before the first payment, others do not. Do not rely on it. Enter the end date in your calendar and set a reminder a few days earlier.
What happens if my student verification expires?
As a rule, the regular price then applies. Renew the check in good time if you want to keep the student price. This usually requires current proof from your university, such as a university portal login or an enrolment certificate.
Is an annual plan worth it for students?
Only if you use the service throughout the year. Calculate with the monthly price you actually pay and compare it with what you really use. A subscription you only open during exam time is usually too expensive.
What to do now
- Note the end date of the trial in your calendar when you sign up.
- Check in your account which price applies after the trial and when the verification must be renewed.
- Cancel with the cancellation button as soon as you no longer need the service and save the confirmation.
- Keep your enrolment certificate handy so that you can reactivate the student offer if needed.
Related guides
- AI Tools for Students in Germany 2026
- Student Discounts for Software and Apps 2026
- Student Discounts for Streaming and Subscriptions
- Student Verification Explained: SheerID, UNiDAYS and University Email
- Free Software for Students: Programs at a Glance
Sources: Spotify, student offer (as of October 2026) · Apple Music, student offer (as of October 2026) · Deezer, offer for students (as of October 2026) · Google One Help, student offer (October 2026) · Section 312k BGB, cancellation button (accessed October 2026)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
