YouTube Premium code: how to activate it, how much it costs, and how to pay less in 2026

Receiving a YouTube Premium code (yes, the spelling is often written this way) can come from an operator offer, a gift card, a YouTube Premium promotion, or a partnership (smartphone, console, etc.). The principle is simple: you "redeem" the code on your Google account, and your Premium access is activated.

In this guide, we see:

• Where to enter a YouTube Premium code and the official procedure for redeeming a YouTube Premium code;
• What to do if the YouTube Premium redemption code doesn't work;
• How much does YouTube Premium cost in France, the annual/student options, andthe YouTube Premium trial?
• the difference with a YouTube Music Premium subscription;
• How to enjoy YouTube without ads and legally reduce your bill.

1) What exactly is a "YouTube Premium code"?

A YouTube Premium redemption code is a promotional code or gift card that credits a payment method (often via Google Play) or activates a Premium period, depending on the offer. It is mainly used in three cases:

• Gift cards/codes sold by authorized retailers (or given as gifts).
• Partner offers (free trial after purchasing a device, plan, etc.).
• Limited campaigns (e.g., temporary discounts, free months, bundles).

Key point: a code is not a "hack." It is used through an official channel and may be subject to conditions (country, expiration date, eligible account, no active subscription, etc.).

2) Where to enter a YouTube Premium code (steps)

To enter a YouTube Premium code, the easiest method is to go through the redemption page. This is literally what many people are looking for when they search for "how to redeem YouTube Premium code" or "redeem YouTube Premium code."

Steps to activate the code (official method)

1. Sign in to the Google account on which you want to activate Premium (the one that watches YouTube).
2. Open the YouTube redemption page (usually indicated on the card or in the offer email).
3. Enter the code exactly (be careful with similar characters: O/0, I/1).
4. Confirm, then follow the instructions on the screen until confirmation.

Once activation is complete, your YouTube Premium subscription will apply to this account (and therefore to the YouTube app on mobile, tablet, TV, etc., as soon as you are logged in with the correct profile).

3) YouTube Premium code not working: common causes

If you encounter an error message when redeeming YouTube Premium, it is often one of the following:

3.1. The account already has an active subscription

Some offers require that you do not have a current subscription (or that you are a new customer).
Solution: Check whether your account has an active trial or subscription, and whether the offer is reserved for new subscribers.

3.2. The code is not valid in your country.

A code may be linked to a specific country. This is a recurring theme behind "YouTube Premium is cheaper in other countries": it's not just a question of price, it's also a question of eligibility and region.
Solution: check the geographical area covered by the offer and the account used.

3.3. The code has expired, has already been used, or has been entered incorrectly.

Classic, but very common.
Solution: copy without spaces, try typing manually rather than copying and pasting, and check the expiration date.

3.4. You have confused the Premium code with the "YouTube Membership" code.

Be careful not to confuse:

• YouTube Premium (platform subscription: ads, background playback, offline playback, YouTube Music included),
• and YouTube membership (paid subscription to a specific channel: badges, emojis, exclusive content).

A membership code does not unlock Premium. And vice versa.

4) YouTube Premium trial: how it works

The YouTube Premium trial varies depending on the time period, account, and current campaigns. In general:

• the test is offered at the time of registration,
• it applies to an eligible account,
• It can be canceled before the end to avoid paid renewal.

Good tip: Before using a code, check if you already have a trial period available on your account—in some cases, it's better to activate the trial first, then use a code later (if conditions allow).

5) How much does YouTube Premium cost in France (price for 2025/2026)?

The question "how much does YouTube Premium cost"comes up all the time, and that's normal: prices change and certain packages are tested in different countries.

In practice, the YouTube Premium price in France observed recently is generally around:

• Individual plan: approximately $12.99/month ( YouTube rates may vary depending on your account and billing history).
• Student plan: often around €7.99/month (proof of student status is required for the YouTube Premium student price ).
• Family plan: prices have increased and may be significantly higher depending on the time of year (and sometimes vary from one user to another).

YouTube Premium annual price: does it exist?

In some cases, YouTube offers an annual YouTube Premium price (prepaid plan) for eligible accounts. This is not systematic, and availability depends on the country and account. If the option is available in your country, it usually appears in the subscription options (web or mobile).

YouTube without ads: pricing and what you really get

The real benefit of Premium is not just "fewer ads":

• removal of ads on videos (and a smoother experience),
• background playback (handy when on the move),
• offline downloads on mobile devices,
• and YouTube Music included.

If you are mainly looking for"YouTube Premium ads"(to avoid seeing them), Premium does the job. If you mainly use YouTube for music, the following section is important.

6) YouTube Music Premium vs. YouTube Premium: What's the difference?

We often see "YouTube Music Premium subscription"when comparing prices.

• YouTube Premium includes YouTube Music Premium (so you get ad-free music + ad-free videos).
• YouTube Music Premium is generally less expensive, but does not necessarily remove ads from standard YouTube videos: it is primarily focused on music.

If your main requirement is to "listen without ads," YouTube Music may suffice. If you want the full experience (videos + music), YouTube Premium is a more logical choice.

7) “YouTube Premium for free,” “free YouTube subscription”: beware of false promises

Searches for " free YouTube Premium " or "free YouTube subscription"attract a lot of scams:

• fake code generators,
• websites that ask for your Google account,
• questionable extensions,
• phishing pages.

A legitimate YouTube Premium redeem code comes from an official source, a known partner, or an authentic gift card. If a website promises you Premium "free for life" in exchange for a login, run away.

8) YouTube Premium cheaper in 2026: legal options that stand the test of time

There are legitimate ways to get YouTube Premium cheap in 2026 (or YouTube Premium cheaper in 2026) without hacking or taking unnecessary risks.

8.1. Use an official promotion or partner code

This is the simplest case: a YouTube Premium promotion or a code received through a partner. You enjoy Premium, then decide whether to keep the subscription.

8.2. Choose the most suitable option (individual, student, family)

If you are eligible, the student offer can be a real advantage. And if you have several users at home, the family plan is often the most cost-effective "per person."

8.3. Sharing the cost of a subscription, properly

If you use YouTube every day, it mainly becomes a question of budget: YouTube price + Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, etc., it quickly adds up.

This is where co-subscription makes sense: instead of paying for a full-price subscription on your own, you can easily split the cost of a multi-user plan between several people.

On Spliiit, the principle is simply to join an available spot on a shareable offer (or to offer a spot if you have a multi-account plan), with clear payment management. The result: you keep your comfort (YouTube without ads, offline, music), but you avoid paying 100% of the bill.

9) FAQ – YouTube Premium code, price, activation

Where can I enter a YouTube Premium code?

On the YouTube redemption page, log in to the correct Google account, then enter the code and confirm.

How to redeem a YouTube Premium code?

The principle is the same: log in to the relevant Google account, go to the redemption page, enter the code, then confirm. This is the standard procedure for redeeming a YouTube Premium code.

Why isn't my YouTube Premium code working?

The most common causes: account already subscribed, code restricted to one country, code expired/already used, or confusion between Premium and YouTube membership.

Does YouTube Premium include YouTube Music?

Yes. With YouTube Premium, you also get YouTube Music Premium. The reverse is not always true, depending on the plan.

Is there an annual subscription?

An annual (prepaid) plan may be available depending on your account and country. If it is available, you will see it in the subscription options.

How can I pay less for YouTube Premium without cheating?

The most sustainable option: official promotion, student rate if eligible, family package if there are several of you, or shared subscription to split the cost (for example, via Spliiit).

Key points to remember

• A YouTube Premium code is activated via an official redemption page on the correct Google account.
• If the YouTube Premium redeem code fails, the problem is often related to eligibility (active subscription, country, expiration).
• The price of YouTube Premium in France varies, but individual subscriptions generally cost around €12 per month, with student/family packages available under certain conditions.
• Promises of free YouTube Premium often hide scams.
• To enjoy YouTube without ads at a lower price, the best options are still official promotions and sharing the cost through co-subscription (for example, on Spliiit).

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