The Digital Markets Act received final approval from the Council of the European Union this week, and Google has announced that it now allows developers to offer their users in the European Economic Area (EEA) an alternative to Google Play’s billing system, including countries in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
When a consumer uses an alternative billing system, the service fee the developer pays will be reduced by 3%. Since 99% of developers currently qualify for a service fee of 15% or less, those developers would pay a service fee of 12% or lower based on transactions through alternative billing for EEA users acquired through the Play platform.
Google said it expects to expand the alternative billing system to game developers in the EEA in advance of the Digital Markets Act’s effective date, which is at least six months away, according to the European Council.
Google Play’s billing system will continue to be required for all apps distributed through the store in all other countries, including the United States.
Developers interested in learning more about the program and signing up can visit this support document on Google’s website.
Apple has yet to announce any plans to allow App Store apps to offer alternative billing systems to users throughout the EEA.
(Via MacRumors)
