FAZ introduces Premium tier for deeper digital access at a higher cost
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) has expanded its digital subscription service with a new premium tier. Launched on 24 March 2023, FAZ+ Premium offers additional features for readers willing to pay more. The move comes as the publisher continues to grow its digital audience, with nearly 165,000 subscribers already signed up to its standard FAZ+ service. The original FAZ+ digital subscription first appeared in October 2018. It currently costs €3.45 per week for the first year, increasing to €5.95 thereafter. This tier provides access to most paywalled articles but excludes some specialised content.
The new FAZ+ Premium tier raises the price to €6.70 per week in the first year, then €8.70 after that. Subscribers gain four premium newsletters, exclusive articles, and an ad-free reading experience. Another key feature is the ability to create four separate user accounts under one subscription.
Previously, the Pro series—specialised content packages—was available as an add-on. Now, access to these requires upgrading to the Premium tier. The change follows a broader trend in publishing, where outlets like Der Spiegel also offer tiered subscriptions, including a lower-cost Starter option with limited article access. FAZ+ Premium arrives as the publisher builds on its existing digital subscriber base. The new tier provides more content and flexibility but at a higher cost. Exact figures for total FAZ+ subscribers at the time of the Premium launch remain undisclosed.
