How to Gift Telegram Premium in 2026 — In-App, Stars, Gift Code
You can gift Telegram Premium to a friend, parent, or teammate in 2026 in three main ways. Each differs in price, convenience, and whether you need a foreign card. Here is each method, ordered from fastest to most cost-effective.
Method 1. In-app gift
The fastest method — takes about a minute.
- Open a chat with the recipient (they must be in your contacts).
- Tap their avatar → Gift Premium.
- Choose a duration: 3, 6, or 12 months.
- Pay with the card linked to your App Store / Google Play, or via @PremiumBot.
App Store (US) prices:
| Duration | Price | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | $13.99 | $4.66 |
| 6 months | $19.99 | $3.33 |
| 12 months | $39.99 | $3.33 |
Downside: priced at your store's regional rate. Won't work with cards from regions outside major stores.
Method 2. With Telegram Stars
If you already have a Stars balance, you can gift Premium with them.
- Open @PremiumBot → Gift Premium.
- Pick the recipient by @username.
- Pick a duration and pay in Stars.
Approximate Stars pricing:
| Duration | Stars | Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | ~1,000 | $20 |
| 6 months | ~1,500 | $30 |
| 12 months | ~2,500 | $50 |
Downside: the Stars rate is slightly less favorable than direct payment. Upside: no card binding required at all.
Method 3. Gift Code
In 2026 Telegram officially supports Premium Gift Codes — links shaped like t.me/giftcode/XXXX that activate Premium on any account.
- Go to Settings → My Stars → Gift Premium.
- Pick Generate Gift Code instead of sending to a specific recipient.
- You receive a link — share it however you like.
Useful when you don't know the recipient's @username or want to send it in a card or email.
Method 4. Through a reseller (Marix)
The most cost-effective method for users without convenient access to App Store/Google Play billing.
- Open /telegram on Marix and pick a Premium duration.
- Enter the recipient's @username.
- Pay in your local currency.
- The recipient gets Premium via @PremiumBot within 5-10 minutes.
Marix prices are usually 20-40% lower than App Store because they use Turkey/India regional pricing.
Method comparison
| Method | Annual price | Speed | Needs foreign card |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-app (US) | $39.99 | 1 min | Yes |
| In-app (Turkey) | ~$24 | 1 min | Yes (TR) |
| Stars | ~$50 | 1 min | No (if you already have Stars) |
| Gift Code | $39.99 | 1 min | Yes |
| Marix | ~$24 | 5-10 min | No |
If the recipient already has Premium
The gift simply extends their subscription by the chosen duration. If they have auto-renew, it stops and the gift takes over from that date.
Gifting through Marix
On Marix you gift Premium in your local currency in 5-10 minutes — you enter the @username, the recipient gets a notification from Telegram about the gift. No VPN, no foreign card, and at the lowest regional price.