IDEAS THAT CHANGE THE WORLD
From 1 October 2026, the App Store rules will change for European users. Here is what is changing in Europe.
The Digital Markets Act
Starting on 1 October, new rules will take effect for the App Store, the application marketplace for Apple’s ecosystem. The rules will affect developers distributing applications within the European Union and were established following agreements with the European Commission to implement the Digital Markets Act.
The Digital Markets Act is a European Union regulation adopted in 2022 that entered into force in 2024. Its purpose is to regulate the economic power of the major technology giants, ensuring a fairer and more competitive market and securing a share for small and medium-sized businesses in the sector, while remaining open to innovation.
The App Store rules and business model
The changes Apple has decided on to comply with the new European regulations concern developers who intend to distribute their applications within Europe.
They will move to a single new business model, replacing the various terms introduced in recent years and used until now.
In general, applications using Apple In-App Purchase will incur a 26% commission. For developers participating in preferential programmes, the commission will be 15%. These programmes include the App Store Small Business Program, Mini Apps Partner Program and Video Partner Program, among others.
Commissions and payments
Under the new rules, from 1 October all developers who use or choose an alternative in-app payment system will be charged a 20% commission. For developers participating in a preferential programme, such as those mentioned above, it will be 10%. If the payment system is handled through an external website, the commission will be 15%, again falling to 10% for developers in a preferential programme.
Applications distributed in Europe will therefore be able to offer alternative payment systems alongside Apple In-App Purchase. This option was not available until now and will remain exclusive to Europe.
The App Store rules: the Core Technology Fee disappears
Let us now turn to the Core Technology Fee, the charge Apple introduced in January 2024 specifically for apps distributed within the European Union. This fee was triggered according to the number of installations and will disappear from 1 October.
However, it will remain for apps distributed through alternative stores or directly from the web rather than through the App Store. In this case, the fee of 5% will apply only to digital transactions and therefore will not affect free applications.
The Initial Acquisition Fee and Store Service Fee will also disappear.
Web distribution
Distribution through alternative stores and directly from the web will remain available exclusively within the European Union. Despite this option, all applications, including those distributed outside the official store, will have to pass Apple’s notarization.
This process checks that the software works correctly, but above all checks its security and looks for possible threats.
The App Store rules and protections for minors
Finally, new rules and restrictions have been introduced to protect minors. Applications in the Kids category will not be allowed to redirect users to external websites to pay for purchases.
All users under 18 will need a parent’s consent for all digital transactions through alternative payment systems and external links.
