Spotify Memberships: paid podcast subscriptions launch in Poland and other markets

Spotify has announced Memberships, a new system of paid subscriptions for podcasts. According to the Polish tech site Antyweb on 20 October 2026, listeners can use it to support chosen shows directly in the app, without relying on external platforms such as Patreon.

Where and when

The feature is debuting simultaneously in 34 markets, including Poland. The rollout is happening in waves, so not every user will see the new options straight away. It works only for podcasts whose creators have chosen to offer a paid membership.

What creators can offer

According to Antyweb, a membership is meant to offer more than extra episodes. Creators can share exclusive audio and video that is not public, early access to new releases, archive recordings and episodes with fewer ads.

Each creator decides the scope of benefits, the number of tiers and the prices. To join, a listener opens the page of the chosen podcast and selects the subscription option. After payment, the extra content is unlocked automatically in Spotify.

Rules for listeners

Both free users and Premium subscribers can use the new option. However, membership is not part of Premium and requires a separate payment for each podcast. Subscriptions renew automatically and can be cancelled. Antyweb notes that refunds cannot be requested, because most of the money goes to the creator.

Terms for creators

Spotify is encouraging podcasters to use its own system, promising they will keep 90% of membership revenue. There is an entry threshold, though: a podcast needs at least three published episodes, 100 listeners or viewers, and 100 hours of playback in the past 30 days. Details are said to be available on the Spotify for Creators site.

What this means for Poles in the UK

The source says the feature is launching in 34 markets but does not list them all. This material therefore does not tell us whether or when it will reach the UK. Listeners of Polish podcasts may want to note one thing: paid membership renews automatically and is charged separately for each show, so it is worth keeping an eye on your subscriptions.