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9to5mac
Apple overhauls App Store fees in the EU with new unified terms
Apple has announced a major overhaul of its App Store fees in the EU following an investigation by German regulators. The new commission structure, effective October 1, will lower the link-out commission to 15% and replace the Core Technology Fee with a 5% commission on digital transactions in apps distributed outside the App Store. This revision aims to simplify the fee structure and expand options for developers while adhering to European regulatory requirements.
MonitorConfidence: HighShort term horizon
Published 18 Aug 2026, 18:30 UTC2 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- New commission structure to begin on October 1 in the EU
- Reduction of link-out commission to 15%
- Introduction of a simple 5% Core Technology Commission
- Elimination of initial acquisition and store services fees
- Developers can offer alternative payment options alongside Apple In-App Purchase
- Expanded eligibility for alternative app marketplaces
Interesting facts
- The overhaul follows scrutiny from the German antitrust regulator.
- Changes include new child safety protections tied to alternative payments.