Apple introduces new App Store fees in EU to avoid €500 million fine
Apple has introduced sweeping changes to its European Union
App Store
policies, introducing a complicated multi-tier fee system aimed at avoiding crushing daily fines that could reach €50 million under the bloc's Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The company now allows EU developers to freely link customers to
alternative payment methods
outside the App Store without restrictive warning screens or mandatory text. However, these freedoms come with new costs through Apple's revamped commission structure.
New fee framework creates multiple payment tiers
Under the updated system, developers face up to three separate fees for a single app download. Apple introduced a "
Core Technology Commission
" of 5% on all digital purchases made outside the App Store, alongside an initial acquisition fee of 2% and variable store services fees ranging from 5% to 13%.
The company also created a two-tier service structure. Tier 1 offers basic features like app reviews and fraud protection for a 5% commission, while Tier 2 provides full App Store benefits including automatic updates, marketing tools, and app insights for 13%. Small Business Program participants receive reduced rates.
Apps using external payment links will pay the Core Technology Commission, while those merely referencing outside deals continue under the existing Core Technology Fee of €0.50 per download after one million installs.
Regulatory standoff continues despite changes
Apple's modifications follow a €500 million fine imposed in April for violating DMA anti-steering rules. The European Commission threatened additional daily penalties worth up to 5% of Apple's global revenue if the company failed to comply by June 26.
"We disagree with this outcome and plan to appeal," Apple stated, maintaining its opposition to the regulatory requirements.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, whose company successfully challenged Apple's US steering policies, criticized the changes as "malicious compliance" that commercially cripples competing payment systems.
The European Commission will now assess whether Apple's proposals achieve genuine DMA compliance before determining if additional fines are warranted.
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