Apple Cuts EU App Store Fees, India Remains Unchanged
Apple announced new EU App Store business terms effective October 1, 2026, lowering commission rates. Developers in India will not benefit from these changes due to differing regulatory environments.
Apple will implement new business terms for developers distributing apps in the European Union starting October 1, 2026. The commission for in-app purchases via Apple's system will drop to 26%, with a 20% rate for those using external payment processors.
These changes do not extend to India, where developers remain under Apple's existing terms. The divergence stems from India's and the EU's distinct regulatory approaches to digital markets. The EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) imposes upfront obligations, whereas India's competition enforcement largely relies on case-by-case proceedings.
India has considered its own digital competition regime, with a draft bill submitted in February 2024, but it has not yet been introduced in Parliament. While India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, is in place, its provisions regarding app store payment practices differ from the EU's mandated changes.
Within the EU, the revised terms will replace the previous Core Technology Fee, which charged a fee per install over one million. The new commission rates apply to digital goods and services sold through apps distributed via the App Store, the web, or alternative app marketplaces.
India's Competition Commission (CCI) has been investigating Apple's App Store payment practices since 2021. In Europe, Apple previously faced a €500 million fine related to restrictions on directing users to alternative payment options. Despite the fee reductions in the EU, disputes over Apple's app store policies may continue.