Apple revises EU app fees and terms

Apple (AAPL) has introduced unified business terms for app distribution in the European Union, with developers able to sign the new agreements immediately and the rules set to take effect on October 1, 2026. The changes cover apps distributed through the App Store, alternative marketplaces and the web, and are intended to standardize how commissions and technology fees apply across different distribution channels in the EU.

Under the updated framework, Apple will replace its previous Core Technology Fee with a 5 percent Core Technology Commission on digital transactions in apps distributed outside the App Store. At the same time, the company will eliminate the initial acquisition fee and the store services fee that previously applied in certain cases, simplifying the cost structure for external app distribution.

The unified terms set out channel‑specific commission rates tied to both distribution method and payment processing choice. For apps distributed through the App Store that use Apple In‑App Purchase, the standard commission will be 26 percent. A reduced 15 percent rate will apply to the vast majority of developers, including participants in the App Store Small Business Program, the Mini Apps Partner Program, the Video Partner Program, and to auto‑renewing subscriptions after the first year.

App Store apps that use alternative in‑app payment processing will face a 20 percent standard commission, which falls to 10 percent for qualifying developers in the same programs. For apps that remain on the App Store but send users out of the app via links to complete purchases, the commission will be 15 percent as a standard rate and 10 percent for developers eligible for reduced terms.

For apps distributed via alternative marketplaces or directly from the web in the EU, Apple will apply the new 5 percent Core Technology Commission on digital transactions. This approach is designed to cover the company’s platform and technology services for apps that are not distributed through the App Store itself.

Under the new EU rules, developers will be allowed to offer Apple In‑App Purchase alongside alternative payment options within the same app, provided they meet Apple’s presentation requirements. However, once developers choose their payment configuration, they must keep those options in place for 12 months before making changes, creating a measure of stability in how users pay for digital content and services.

Apple is also introducing additional child‑safety protections as part of the revised terms. Apps in the Kids category will not be allowed to include links to external payment websites, and users under 13 will not be linked out for payments at all. For users under 18, any alternative payment flows must be gated by parental controls, adding extra steps before a purchase can be completed.

Apple states that these changes resolve its disagreements with the European Commission over business terms and alternative distribution in the EU. A spokesperson for the Commission has welcomed the new framework and indicated that authorities will monitor the rollout and implementation of the updated terms across the region.

In regulatory filings, Apple has warned that it may ultimately not be permitted to charge any commission on purchases made through third‑party app stores and other external platforms. This caveat underlines that, while the new EU terms are intended to address current regulatory concerns, there remains uncertainty over how future enforcement actions could affect Apple’s ability to collect fees on externally distributed apps.