Apple has today announced changes to their App Store business terms for all developers who distribute apps on the Apple App Store in the European Union.

The changes, unveiled by Apple in a press release, outline new App Store fees for developers who take payments through Apple's own in-app purchase system, as well as apps that use alternative methods, such as linking out of the app to make payments.

The company says that these changes come "following close collaboration with the European Commission", and that they "resolve Apple’s disagreements with the Commission over business terms and alternative distribution."

Apple says they are replacing the Core Technology Fee, with the 'Core Technology Commission', which is a 5% commission on transactions distributed outside of the App Store.

They also announced the end of the initial acquisition fee and store services fee and a change to commission rates.

The new rates are as follows:

  • Apple In-App Purchase: 26% commission for most developers, including members of the App Store Small Business Program, Mini Apps Partner Program, or Video Partner Program. It will be 15% for auto-renewing subscriptions after the first year.
  • Alternative payment processing: 20% commission. Developers in the previously mentioned programs will pay 10%.
  • Linking out to complete purchases: 15% commission. Developers in the previously mentioned programs will pay 10%.
  • Other marketplaces and the web: 5% Core Technology Commission.

Apple says for user clarify, EU developers must select one of these options to use, and stick with it for 1 year.

The company has also introduced child safety measures, to prevent younger App Store users from being able to follow links out of apps, including a parental 'gate' and preventing links from appearing in apps that belong in the kids category.

The new terms are available to sign today, and will come into affect on 1st October.

These new terms only apply to the European Union, and will therefore not affect some European nations such as the United Kingdom, Norway and Switzerland.