Earning on Instagram in 2026: Subscriptions, Badges, Bonuses — complete guide for EU creators

Instagram offers three direct revenue streams for creators in 2026: Subscriptions (€0.99–€99.99/month), Live Badges (€0.99–€4.99 per badge), and Bonuses (variable, often €100–€10,000 per month). For EU creators, specific VAT rules and payout thresholds apply — below you'll find the exact figures and a 5-step checklist to set up your monetization.

Definitions: Instagram monetization terms explained

Instagram Subscriptions

In one sentence: Monthly recurring subscriptions where followers pay for exclusive content, badges and Stories.

Live Badges

In one sentence: Virtual tips (€0.99–€4.99) that viewers can purchase during an Instagram Live to support the creator.

Instagram Bonuses

In one sentence: Meta-invited reward programmes that pay creators based on Reels views, engagement or specific challenges.

Creator Marketplace

In one sentence: Instagram's internal platform where brands and creators connect for sponsored content deals.

Professional Dashboard

In one sentence: The central control panel in the Instagram app where you manage earnings, insights and monetization options.

How much do you actually earn with Instagram Subscriptions in 2026?

Short answer: With 1,000 active subscribers at €4.99/month, you'll keep approximately €2,800–€3,500 net per month after Meta's 15-30% fee and VAT. The exact revenue depends on your price point, conversion rate and whether you sell via iOS or web.

Instagram Subscriptions are available in 2026 for creators with at least 10,000 followers, a Professional Account, and compliance with Meta's Partner Monetization Policies. You choose your own price point between €0.99 and €99.99 per month.

How does the fee structure work?

Meta uses a differentiated model:

• Web purchases: Meta takes 0% commission until end of 2026 (promotional period)
• Android purchases: 15-30% commission (depending on Google Play rules)
• iOS purchases: 30% commission (Apple's standard App Store fee)

Strategic tip: promote your subscription link via your bio or a link-in-bio tool like LinkDash, so followers subscribe via the web version and you retain maximum revenue.

What do you offer subscribers?

Exclusive content options in 2026:

• Subscriber-only Stories and Posts
• Exclusive Reels and Lives
• Subscriber badge next to their name in comments
• Subscriber-only Broadcast Channels
• Priority for DMs and Q&As

What do Instagram Live Badges generate for European creators?

Short answer: Live Badges typically generate €10–€200 per livestream for mid-tier creators (10k-100k followers). Top performers with engaged communities reach €500+ per session, but this requires consistent live content and active badge promotion.

Badges are available at three price points: one heart (€0.99), two hearts (€1.99), and three hearts (€4.99). Viewers can purchase multiple badges per stream.

Threshold requirements for Live Badges (2026)

• Minimum 10,000 followers
• Professional Account (Creator or Business)
• At least 18 years old
• Based in a supported country (UK, Ireland and all EU countries are supported)
• Compliance with Partner Monetization Policies

Calculation example: badges with 5,000 live viewers

At a conservative conversion rate of 1-2% and an average badge value of €2:

• 5,000 viewers × 1.5% conversion = 75 badge purchases
• 75 × €2 average = €150 gross
• After Meta's fee (estimated 30%): ±€105 net per stream

How do Instagram Bonuses work and who qualifies?

Short answer: Bonuses are invite-only programmes from Meta that reward creators for Reels performance. Payouts vary from €100 to €10,000+ per month, but you cannot apply — Meta selects creators based on undisclosed criteria.

In 2026, Meta's bonus programme primarily revolves around Reels. According to Forbes, Instagram is one of the seven most profitable platforms for creators, partly due to this bonus structure.

Types of bonuses in 2026

• Reels Play Bonus: Payment per Reels view, typically €0.01–€0.03 per 1,000 views
• Challenge Bonuses: One-time rewards for participation in Meta campaigns
• Achievement Bonuses: Milestone rewards (e.g., first 10k views on a Reel)

Why am I not receiving a bonus invitation?

Meta's selection criteria are not public, but patterns suggest:

• Consistent posting frequency (minimum 3-5 Reels per week)
• High engagement rates (comments and shares, not just views)
• Original content (no reposts from TikTok with watermark)
• Geographic priority (US creators receive invitations more often than EU)

Instagram vs. other platforms: where do you earn most as an EU creator?

Platform	Monetization model	Minimum threshold	Revenue share (creator)	Available in EU/UK	Best suited for
Instagram Subscriptions	Monthly subscription	10,000 followers	70-100% (depending on purchase channel)	Yes	Visual creators, lifestyle, fitness
Instagram Live Badges	Tips during livestream	10,000 followers	±70%	Yes	Live content, Q&A, coaching
Instagram Bonuses	Performance-based	Invite-only	100% (bonus)	Limited	Reels-focused creators
YouTube Memberships	Monthly subscription	1,000 subs + 4,000 watch hours	70%	Yes	Long-form video, education
TikTok Creator Fund	Per-view payment	10,000 followers + 100k views	Variable (low)	Yes	Viral short-form
Patreon	Monthly subscription	No minimum	88-95%	Yes	Niche communities, podcasts
Substack	Paid newsletter	No minimum	90%	Yes	Writers, thought leaders
Ko-fi	One-time donations	No minimum	95-100%	Yes	Hobbyists, artists

Notable: Instagram's subscription model is competitive with Patreon in terms of revenue share, especially for web purchases. The major advantage is that your audience is already on Instagram — no extra platform migration required.

Per creator type: which Instagram monetization suits you?

Fitness and lifestyle creators (10k-50k followers)

Focus on Subscriptions with exclusive workout plans, nutrition tips and behind-the-scenes content. Price point €4.99–€9.99/month is optimal for this niche. Combine with weekly Live Q&As where you promote badges.

Artists and photographers

Subscriptions work for process content: show subscribers your creative process, share high-resolution files, and give early access to new works. Live Badges are less relevant unless you draw or photograph live.

Business and marketing coaches

Higher subscription price points (€19.99–€49.99) are achievable if you deliver concrete value: templates, frameworks, or monthly group calls. Your audience is accustomed to paying for expertise.

Entertainers and comedians

Live Badges are your primary revenue source — your community is already used to live interaction. Subscriptions work as a supplement for extra sketches or behind-the-scenes bloopers.

Niche experts (tech, finance, health)

Combine Instagram monetization with external products. Use Subscriptions as a low-ticket offer (€4.99) that funnels to higher-ticket services via your LinkDash bio link.

5-step checklist: activating Instagram monetization in 2026

1. Upgrade to Professional Account
   Go to Settings → Account → Switch to professional account. Choose 'Creator' for most monetization options.
2. Check your eligibility in Professional Dashboard
   Open Professional Dashboard → Monetization. Here you'll see which programmes are available and which requirements you still need to meet.
3. Set up payout information
   Link a bank account or PayPal. Note: for EU creators, you must enter VAT details. Meta reports your earnings to HMRC (UK) or your national tax authority.
4. Activate available monetization options
   Turn on Subscriptions and/or Live Badges. Choose a subscription price point that matches your content value and audience.
5. Promote via your bio and content
   Add a subscription CTA to your bio. Use a link-in-bio tool to direct traffic to the web version (lower fees). Actively mention badges during Lives.

Edge cases: specific situations explained

"I have 8,000 followers — can I start monetizing yet?"

Not yet via Instagram's native options (threshold is 10,000). Focus on growth until you reach the threshold, or use external tools: sell digital products via your bio link, start a Patreon, or pursue sponsored deals via Instagram's Creator Marketplace (lower threshold).

"Do I need to charge VAT on my Instagram earnings?"

For Subscriptions and Badges, Meta handles VAT towards the end consumer — you receive net payouts. For your own tax return, these earnings are still taxable as self-employment income. In the UK, you'll need to register as self-employed with HMRC if your total trading income exceeds £1,000. Consult an accountant for your specific situation.

"I'm in Ireland — do the same rules apply?"

Yes, Ireland falls under the same EU region for Meta's monetization. Thresholds and fees are identical. Irish Revenue rules may differ slightly — check with a local tax advisor regarding your obligations.

"Can I run Subscriptions and an external Patreon simultaneously?"

Technically yes, but consider that you're fragmenting your audience. Consider one platform as your primary subscription source and use the other for specific content tiers or as a backup.

"My bonus invitation disappeared — what now?"

Bonuses are temporary and can expire or be withdrawn if your posting frequency drops. Keep posting consistently and focus on engagement. New invitations may follow, but there's no guarantee.

"How many followers do I need to earn full-time?"

This depends on your conversion rate and price point. Calculation example: with 50,000 followers, 2% subscription conversion, and €4.99/month you have 1,000 subscribers = ±€3,500 net/month. Achievable, but requires consistently delivering value.

Disclaimer: the above scenarios are general guidelines. Consult a tax professional for advice on your specific situation. Instagram's monetization terms may change; always check the current policies in your Professional Dashboard.

Sources

• How to Make Money on Instagram in 2026! (Beginner's Guide) — Nuelink, YouTube, May 2026
• 7 Of The Most Profitable Platforms For Creators In 2026 And How They Pay — Forbes, March 2026
• Instagram Help Center — Monetization Policies — Meta
• Instagram for Creators — Official Resources — Meta
• HMRC — Working for yourself — UK Government

Frequently asked questions

What are Instagram Subscriptions?

Instagram Subscriptions are monthly recurring subscriptions where followers pay for exclusive content, badges and Stories. Prices range from €0.99 to €99.99 per month.

What are Instagram Live Badges?

Live Badges are virtual tips (€0.99–€4.99) that viewers can purchase during an Instagram Live to support the creator. You can think of them as Instagram's equivalent of Twitch donations.

What are Instagram Bonuses?

Instagram Bonuses are Meta-invited reward programmes that pay creators based on Reels views, engagement or specific challenges. You cannot apply — Meta selects creators based on their own criteria.

What is the Instagram Professional Dashboard?

The Professional Dashboard is the central control panel in the Instagram app where you manage earnings, insights and monetization options. Only available for Creator and Business accounts.

How many followers do you need for Instagram monetization?

For Subscriptions and Live Badges you need at least 10,000 followers, plus a Professional Account and compliance with Meta's Partner Monetization Policies. Bonuses are invite-only without a fixed threshold.

How much do you earn with 1,000 Instagram subscribers?

With 1,000 subscribers at €4.99/month, you'll keep approximately €2,800–€3,500 net per month after Meta's fee (15-30%) depending on purchase channel. For web purchases (0% Meta fee until end of 2026) this can be higher.

Do I need to pay VAT on Instagram earnings in the UK?

For Subscriptions and Badges, Meta handles VAT towards the end consumer — you receive net payouts. For your tax return, these earnings are still taxable as self-employment income. Consult an accountant for your specific situation.

What is the difference between Instagram Subscriptions and Patreon?

Instagram Subscriptions live within the app (your audience doesn't need to migrate) and offer up to 100% revenue share for web purchases. Patreon offers more flexibility in tiers and content types, with 88-95% revenue share.

How do I activate Instagram monetization as an EU creator?

Upgrade to a Professional Account, check your eligibility in the Professional Dashboard, set up payout information (including VAT details), and activate Subscriptions and/or Live Badges. Promote via your bio for maximum conversion.

Why am I not receiving an Instagram Bonus invitation?

Meta's selection criteria are not public. Patterns suggest that consistent posting (3-5 Reels/week), high engagement, and original content increase your chances. EU creators receive invitations less often than US creators.

Can I combine Instagram monetization with external products?

Yes, and this is often the most profitable strategy. Use Subscriptions as a low-ticket offer and direct traffic via your bio link to higher-ticket products or services.

What is the best pricing strategy for Instagram Subscriptions?

€4.99–€9.99/month works for most niches. Business and coaching creators can go higher (€19.99–€49.99) if they deliver concrete value. Test different price points and monitor your conversion rate.

Next steps

Instagram monetization is a serious revenue source for EU creators in 2026 — provided you meet the thresholds and handle fees and content strategically. Start with the 5-step checklist above, and consider a professional link-in-bio page to maximise your conversions.

Want to dive deeper into the creator economy? Also read our guide on TikTok Creator Rewards for EU creators or discover which link-in-bio tool suits you best.