Apple will cut its standard EU App Store commission to 26% and drop rates for third-party payments to as low as 5%, effective October 1, 2026, in its latest attempt to resolve proceedings with the European Commission over its "gatekeeper" status under the Digital Markets Act.

The changes apply exclusively within the EU and leave commissions in every other region untouched, Apple said.

What are the new commission rates?

The revised EU pricing structure breaks down as follows:

• 26% — standard commission for apps using Apple's in-app purchase system (down from 30%)
• 20% — commission for purchases processed through third-party payment systems; 10% for Small Business Program participants (developers earning under $1 million annually), and for members of the Mini Apps Partner Program and the Video Partner Program
• 15% — commission for apps that include links to external payment options; 10% for the program participants above
• 5% — commission for apps distributed through alternative marketplaces or downloaded from other stores and websites

For studios operating in the EU, the spread between channels is now wide enough that distribution strategy becomes a financial decision, not just a technical one. A developer routing users to a website storefront and using an external link faces a 5% rate — roughly one-fifth of the standard in-store commission.

What changes for alternative app stores?

Since 2024, iOS in the EU formally permits installing apps from alternative stores and directly from developer websites. But third-party platforms must meet strict eligibility criteria, and Apple is now expanding them.

Under the updated policy, store and website owners can gain access to iOS if they:

• are publicly traded
• have previously attracted investment from major venture firms
• have undergone a financial audit by a "licensed accountant"

The criteria raise the bar for smaller distribution platforms hoping to compete on iOS in Europe, effectively favoring well-capitalized operators.

Why now, and what happened last time?

Apple last revised the European App Store rules in June 2025. That update drew criticism for the excessive complexity of its innovations and failed to resolve the dispute with the European Commission.

The October 2026 revision is broader and more aggressive on price. Whether it satisfies the Commission — and whether it triggers matching pressure from regulators in other jurisdictions where rates remain unchanged — is the key question for developers tracking App Store economics over the next two years.

Full details of the changes are available on Apple's website.