Apple EU app payments are changing again. From 1 October 2026, developers distributing apps in European Union storefronts will move to a unified set of business terms under Attachment 14 of the Apple Developer Program License Agreement. The update affects how apps can combine Apple In-App Purchase, third-party payment processing and links to outside offers.
The headline is greater payment choice, but the details matter. Developers must select the payment methods their app will offer and keep that selection for 12 months. Apple is also adding safeguards for children and replacing its per-install Core Technology Fee with a transaction-based commission for apps distributed outside the App Store.
What is changing with Apple EU app payments?
Apple says the new terms apply to apps distributed in EU storefronts across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS and watchOS. They are intended to put EU apps under one framework rather than several overlapping alternatives.
Under the new model, an App Store app can continue to use Apple In-App Purchase, use an alternative payment processor inside the app, direct users to an outside purchase destination, or offer a combination of those options. Apple’s official EU apps support page provides the detailed rules and rates.
This is a confirmed policy change, not a rumour. Apple announced the updated agreement on 18 August 2026, and the terms take effect on 1 October 2026.
The 12-month payment choice rule
The most practical restriction is consistency. Once a developer selects the payment options available in an EU app, Apple says those choices must be maintained for 12 months. That means a team should not treat the selection as a short experiment that can be reversed after a few weeks.
Why developers should plan before opting in
Alternative payments can add flexibility, but they also shift work to the developer. A business may need to manage payment-provider integration, refunds, tax obligations, customer support, fraud controls and transaction reporting. Product teams should compare the full operational cost—not only the headline commission—before changing the checkout flow.
Developers should also test how clearly each option is explained. A confusing mixture of payment buttons and web links could reduce conversion or trust even when it provides more choice.
App Store commissions under the new EU terms
Apple lists different rates depending on how a sale is completed and whether the developer qualifies for certain programs:
- Apple In-App Purchase: 26% for standard transactions, or 15% for qualifying program participants and eligible subscriptions after their first year.
- Alternative payment processing inside an App Store app: 20%, or 10% for qualifying developers and eligible subscriptions.
- Actionable links to outside offers: a 15% store-services commission, or 10% for qualifying transactions, when a purchase occurs within seven days of the link tap.
- Apps distributed outside the App Store: a 5% Core Technology Commission on covered sales of paid apps and digital goods or services.
The 5% Core Technology Commission replaces the per-install Core Technology Fee. Apple also says the earlier Initial Acquisition Fee and Store Services Fee structure is being eliminated as part of the unified terms. Developers should read Attachment 14 and obtain legal or tax advice for their own circumstances rather than relying on a summary.
For a broader look at the fee model, see our earlier guide to Apple EU App Store fees. We also covered the wider Apple Developer Agreement changes.
New child-safety rules for alternative payments
Apple’s revised policy adds parental-gate requirements when younger users encounter alternative payment options. Apps in the Kids category must place third-party checkout flows behind a parental gate and cannot offer a link to buy on a website.
For users under 13, alternative-payment purchases must be behind a parental gate and out-of-app offers are not permitted. For users aged 13 to 17, both in-app alternative payments and outside purchase offers must be behind a parental gate. A higher local age of parental consent may apply in some EU storefronts.
These rules matter beyond checkout code. Developers may need to review age handling, interface copy, parental gates, quality assurance and regional behaviour before release.
Alternative marketplaces and web distribution
The agreement also expands eligibility to operate an alternative app marketplace or distribute iOS and iPadOS apps from a developer website. Apple says a company no longer has to be established in the EU, although it must meet one of several financial, institutional or scale-based criteria.
Apps outside the App Store still require Apple notarization. That baseline review checks areas such as security, privacy, functionality and accurate representation. It is not the same as full App Review, and Apple notes that some App Store services—including Apple In-App Purchase—are unavailable through alternative distribution.
What the changes mean for app users
EU users may see more checkout choices and more ways to download apps. However, the payment provider determines important parts of the experience, including billing support and refund handling. Users should check who processes a purchase, review the stated terms and keep receipts before paying outside Apple’s system.
The changes are specific to EU distribution. Australian users should not assume that every payment or alternative marketplace option described here will appear in the Australian App Store.
What developers should do before October 1
- Review and accept the updated Apple Developer Program License Agreement in the developer account.
- Model the total cost of each payment and distribution path, including commissions, tax, support and reporting.
- Choose payment options carefully because the selection must remain in place for 12 months.
- Audit parental gates and age-based restrictions if an app is available to children or teenagers.
- Test checkout disclosures, links, receipts, refunds and customer-support workflows.
- Confirm App Store Connect reporting obligations for alternative transactions.
Final thoughts
Apple’s updated EU app payment rules offer developers more flexibility, but not a one-click route to lower costs. The right choice depends on audience, program eligibility, payment operations and distribution strategy. Developers should use the weeks before 1 October to compare options and test the complete customer journey.
FAQs
When do Apple’s new EU app payment terms start?
The unified terms in Attachment 14 take effect on 1 October 2026.
Can an EU App Store app offer Apple and third-party payments together?
Yes. Apple says developers can offer alternative payment options alongside Apple In-App Purchase, subject to the agreement and applicable requirements.
Can developers change payment options immediately after launch?
No. Apple says the selected payment options must be maintained for 12 months, so teams should plan carefully before making a choice.
Does alternative distribution avoid Apple fees entirely?
No. Covered digital transactions in iOS and iPadOS apps distributed outside the App Store are subject to a 5% Core Technology Commission under the new terms.
Do these rules apply in Australia?
No. The changes discussed here concern apps distributed in European Union storefronts, although Australian developers serving EU customers may still be affected.
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