Apple has introduced new and simplified terms and fee structures for developers distributing apps within the European Union. The changes, rolled out on Tuesday following extended discussions with the EU, aim to reduce both the costs and the barriers to entry for external payment options.
What has changed in the fee structure
The updated terms mark a considerable simplification compared with the previous arrangement. The Core Technology Fee has largely been removed, replaced instead by percentage-based commissions. This shift is intended to make the system easier for developers to understand and to lower the overall cost of distributing applications in the region.
For apps on the App Store that use Apple’s In-App Purchase system, the new commission is set at 26 percent. For the vast majority of developers, including those offering auto-renewing subscriptions after the first year, the fee has been reduced to 15 percent.
Terms for alternative payment processing
Developers who opt to use alternative payment processing rather than Apple’s own system will face a commission of 20 percent. This structure gives developers more flexibility in how they handle transactions while providing a clear percentage-based framework for the associated fees.
The revised terms follow considerable back-and-forth between Apple and the European Union, reflecting ongoing regulatory pressure within the region. By replacing fixed technology fees with tiered commission rates, the new approach lowers the entry point for developers who wish to distribute their applications and manage payments outside Apple’s standard structure.
The changes apply specifically to developers who distribute within the European Union, where external payment options have become a central point of discussion between the company and regulators. For App Store apps using Apple In-App Purchase, the commission stands at 26 percent, dropping to 15 percent for most developers and auto-renewing subscriptions after their first year, while alternative payment processing carries a 20 percent commission.
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Image: appleinsider.com
