Apple's unified business terms for apps distributed in the European Union take effect October 1, 2026, or on the date a developer agrees to the updated Apple Developer Program License Agreement if that is later. Apple announced the changes August 18; today's development is the stated effective date, not a newly announced policy.
Apple says the per-install Core Technology Fee is replaced by a 5% Core Technology Commission on covered digital transactions in alternative app marketplaces, apps distributed through those marketplaces, and apps distributed through Web Distribution. That is not a 5% rate for every App Store sale.
On the EU App Store, Apple's support table lists 26% for sales processed through Apple In-App Purchase and 20% for alternative payment processing within an app. Qualifying program participants and certain subscriptions after their first year have lower rates of 15% and 10%, respectively. Out-of-app offers with actionable links have a separate table; only covered sales within seven days of the link tap are subject to that commission.
The transition also brings child-safety requirements for apps using alternative payment options, and developers must maintain their choice of payment options for 12 months. Apple's support pages describe reporting obligations and exclusions, so a headline rate alone is not a complete fee calculation.
Developers remain responsible for fees and commissions accrued under the discontinued agreements. This brief describes Apple's published terms; it does not establish that every developer account has accepted them or advise any particular business to switch its payment route.