Apple has changed its EU App Store fees, eliminating the 'Core Technology Fee' based on the number of installs, and changing the fee for apps distributed outside the App Store to 5% of sales.

Apple has announced changes to the fees charged to third-party apps distributed in the EU, eliminating the 'Core Technology Fee (CTF)' which charged developers based on the number of installs. Instead, the 'Core Technology Commission (CTC)' will be introduced, which will collect 5% of the sales of apps distributed outside the App Store. The new terms will take effect from October 1, 2026.

Apple announces changes to apps within the EU - Apple (Japan)

https://www.apple.com/jp/newsroom/2026/08/apple-announces-changes-for-apps-in-the-european-union/

In the EU, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) is in effect to curb market dominance by giant IT companies, and Apple has introduced a system since 2024 that allows iPhone apps to be distributed from app stores other than the App Store and from developers' websites. On the other hand, Apple has also established a different pricing structure for distribution outside the App Store.

A prime example was the Core Technology Fee. Traditionally, developers were required to pay €0.50 (approximately ¥92) per initial installation for every 1 million installations per year. Because the fee increased based on the number of installations rather than app sales, this system meant that popular free apps that relied on advertising for revenue could potentially incur costs.

Starting in October 2026, the Core Technology Fee will be abolished, and apps distributed outside the App Store will be required to pay a Core Technology Commission of 5% of eligible digital transactions. In other words, the model will shift from 'fee-based billing' to 'fee-based billing.'

The pricing structure within the App Store will also change. The fee for using Apple's in-app purchase service, 'Apple In-App Purchase,' will be 26% in principle, but will be 15% for developers eligible for the App Store Small Business Program and for auto-renewing subscriptions from the second year onwards. For in-app payments using payment methods other than Apple's, the fee will be 20% in principle, and for purchases made by directing users to external websites from the App Store, the fee will be 15% in principle.

The previously established 'Initial Acquisition Fee' and 'Store Services Fee' have been abolished, streamlining the complex pricing rules for the EU. It will also be possible to use Apple In-App Purchases and external payments in the same app.

Aside from pricing, the conditions for businesses to distribute apps outside the App Store will be relaxed, and additional restrictions will be placed on external payments by minors. However, even apps distributed outside the App Store will still be required to undergo Apple's basic review process, 'Notarization,' which checks for serious threats such as malware and ensures basic functionality.

Apple explains that the changes were made after consultations with the European Commission.