Apple's New EU App Store Fees Start October 1, 2026

Apple has rebuilt its App Store fees in the European Union for the second time in 2026. The new terms, announced on August 18, replace the Core Technology Fee, the Initial Acquisition Fee and the Store Services Fee with one commission per payment path. Developers can sign now, and the terms take effect on October 1, 2026.

The new EU rates

• App Store with Apple In-App Purchase: 26% standard, 15% reduced.
• App Store with alternative payment processing inside the app: 20% standard, 10% reduced.
• App Store with a link out to your own checkout: 15% standard, 10% reduced.
• Apps distributed through an alternative marketplace or the web: a 5% Core Technology Commission.

The reduced rate covers the App Store Small Business Program, the Mini Apps Partner Program and the Video Partner Program, and, for In-App Purchase, auto-renewing subscriptions after their first year.

A 12-month commitment

Developers choose their payment options, such as In-App Purchase, alternative processing, linking out, or a combination, and must keep that choice for 12 months. In-App Purchase can now appear alongside an alternative on the same paywall. Link-outs are not allowed in the Kids category or for users under 13, and need a parental gate for users under 18.

What it means for subscription apps

For subscriptions, the gap between selling in the app and selling on the web mostly disappears after the first year. A standard developer pays 26% in the app and 15% via a link-out in a subscriber's first year, but 15% either way from year two. Small Business Program members pay 15% on both paths from the start, before adding their own card processing and tax costs on the web.

Meanwhile in the US

US developers can currently link to external checkouts without paying Apple a commission, following the April 2025 Epic v. Apple injunction. On August 14, 2026, Apple asked the district court to approve link-out commissions of 15% standard, 10% for partner programs and 5% for Small Business Program members. Those rates cannot be charged unless the court approves them.

Tip: Model your own numbers with the App Store Fee Calculator: choose the 26% EU rate, or enter 15 as a custom rate to compare a link-out with your web checkout costs.