Netflix payment options and how to set them up
Netflix accepts payment through credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and direct billing through your mobile carrier or internet provider. The method you choose depends on what you have available and whether you want the charge to appear on a separate bill or bundled with another service.
To add or change your payment method, sign into your Netflix account on a web browser, go to Account Settings, select Membership & Billing, and choose Add Payment Method. Netflix will ask for the card number, expiration date, and CVV, or your PayPal login if you choose that route. The payment method you add becomes active immediately for your next billing date.
Your billing date is the same day each month that your account was created. Netflix charges on that date automatically unless you pause or cancel your membership. You can see your exact billing date and current payment method by opening Account Settings and looking at the Membership & Billing section.
Key Takeaways
- Netflix charges automatically on the same day each month, and you can see your exact billing date in Account Settings under Membership & Billing.
- You can pay with a credit card, debit card, PayPal, or through your mobile carrier or internet provider if they offer Netflix billing.
- Changing your payment method takes two minutes in Account Settings and becomes active for your next charge.
- If a payment fails, Netflix will retry it several times over a few days before pausing your account, giving you time to update your payment information.
- You can pause your membership for up to 10 months instead of canceling, which stops charges without losing your profile and settings.
What happens if your payment fails
When Netflix cannot process a payment, it does not immediately shut off your account. Instead, Netflix retries the charge over several days. During this time, you can still watch, but you will see a message asking you to update your payment method.
If the payment continues to fail after the retry period (usually three to five days), Netflix pauses your membership. Your profiles, viewing history, and saved shows remain in your account. Once you update your payment method and the charge goes through, your account reactivates within a few minutes.
The most common reasons for payment failure are an expired card, insufficient funds, or a card that has been flagged for fraud. Contact your bank if you are unsure why a charge was declined. Netflix does not hold your account indefinitely — after several months of failed payments, the account may be closed, though you can always create a new one.
Paying for a shared or family plan
Netflix offers a Standard or Premium plan that allows multiple people to watch at the same time. One person (the account owner) sets up the payment method and is charged for the full plan. Other household members can watch using their own profiles without paying separately.
If you are sharing a plan with people outside your household, Netflix may ask you to verify your location or add a paid extra member. This is Netflix's way of managing shared accounts. The account owner can manage who has access and remove members at any time through Account Settings.
If you want to split the cost with someone else, you will need to arrange payment outside of Netflix — Netflix itself does not have a built-in way to split the bill. Some people use payment apps like Venmo or PayPal to send money to the account owner after each charge.
Pausing your membership instead of canceling
If you need to stop paying temporarily, pausing your membership is simpler than canceling and restarting. Netflix lets you pause for up to 10 months. During a pause, you are not charged, but your profiles, watch history, and saved shows stay in your account.
To pause, go to Account Settings, select Membership & Billing, and choose Pause Membership. Netflix will ask you to confirm and may ask why you are pausing. After you pause, you can resume at any time by signing back in and selecting Resume Membership. Your billing resumes on the date you choose.
Pausing is useful if you know you will not watch for a few months but plan to return. If you cancel instead, you lose nothing permanently — your account information is stored for a while — but you have to go through the sign-up process again, including choosing a plan and payment method.
Understanding your Netflix bill and charges
Your Netflix charge appears on your credit card or bank statement as "NETFLIX.COM" or "NETFLIX" followed by the plan name. The amount depends on which plan you chose: Basic, Standard, or Premium. Prices vary by country and change occasionally, so check your Account Settings to see what you are currently paying.
Netflix does not charge setup fees or hidden fees. The only charge is the monthly subscription. If you see a different charge on your statement, it may be from a third party (like a mobile carrier or internet provider) that is billing Netflix on your behalf, or it could be a duplicate charge that you should report to Netflix support.
Your bill does not include taxes in all regions. Depending on where you live, sales tax or VAT may be added to your charge. This is calculated based on your billing address, not where you are watching. If you move, update your address in Account Settings to ensure taxes are calculated correctly.
Updating your billing address and payment information
Your billing address is the address associated with your payment method — usually where your credit card is registered. Netflix uses this address to calculate taxes and to verify your payment method. To update it, go to Account Settings, select Membership & Billing, and look for Billing Address or Payment Method Details.
If you move or get a new card, update your information before your next billing date to avoid payment failures. You can add multiple payment methods to your account, which is useful if you want a backup card on file. Netflix will use the primary method first and fall back to the secondary method if the first charge fails.
If you are in a country where Netflix offers carrier billing (through your phone company or internet provider), you can switch to that method instead of using a card. This bundles the Netflix charge with your phone or internet bill. The setup process varies by carrier, so contact your provider for instructions.
Troubleshooting common billing problems
If your payment method is being declined, first check that the card number, expiration date, and CVV are entered correctly. Card details are case-sensitive and must match exactly what your bank has on file. If you recently got a new card with the same number, the expiration date or CVV may have changed.
If you are being charged twice, check your Account Settings to see if you have two active payment methods or two separate Netflix accounts. You can delete duplicate payment methods or cancel one account if you created it by accident. Netflix support can help you merge accounts if you have two with the same email address.
If you see a charge after you canceled your membership, it may be because the cancellation did not process or because you canceled after your billing date. Netflix processes cancellations at the end of your current billing period, so a charge that posts before the cancellation takes effect is normal. Contact Netflix support with your cancellation confirmation if you believe you were charged in error.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay Netflix with a gift card?
Netflix does not sell gift cards that you can use as a payment method directly. However, some retailers sell Netflix gift cards that you can redeem for account credit. The credit is applied to your account and used to pay your subscription. Check Netflix's website for a list of retailers that sell gift cards in your region.
What if I want to change my plan and payment amount?
Go to Account Settings, select Membership & Billing, and choose Change Plan. Netflix will show you the available plans and their prices. The new price takes effect on your next billing date. If you upgrade mid-month, Netflix may credit or charge you the difference depending on your plan and region.
Does Netflix charge sales tax?
Sales tax or VAT is added to your Netflix charge in most regions, depending on local tax laws and your billing address. The tax amount varies by location. You can see the total charge including tax in your Account Settings before your billing date.
Can I get a refund if I was charged by mistake?
Netflix does not issue refunds for subscription charges. If you believe you were charged in error, contact Netflix support with details of the charge. They can review your account and may credit your account if there was a genuine error, though this is not may provide.
What happens if I cancel my account but want to rejoin later?
You can cancel and rejoin Netflix at any time. When you rejoin, you create a new account with a new payment method. Your old profiles and watch history are not automatically restored, though Netflix may remember some viewing data if you use the same email address.