If you distribute your iOS app in the EU, an important deadline is approaching. To avoid potential removal from the EU App Store, make sure to submit your trader information before February 17, 2025. Here’s everything you need to know to stay compliant!

Apple’s DSA Compliance Deadline

According to Apple’s guidelines:

Developers must provide their trader status to submit new apps or app updates for distribution in the European Union (EU). To comply with the Digital Services Act, go to the Business section in App Store Connect by February 17, 2025, to provide your trader status. Otherwise, your apps will be removed from the App Store in the EU.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait Until the Last Minute

You’re not only required to provide key business details, but your submission must also go through Apple’s review process. This means delays are likely, especially if many developers submit their information close to the deadline.

To avoid last-minute issues and potential removal from the EU App Store, we strongly recommend submitting your compliance information as early as possible.

How to Determine If You Are a Trader Under EU Law

The definition of a trader can be vague, but here’s a breakdown based on Apple’s official documentation.

When You Are NOT a Trader

If any of the following apply to you, you are not a trader under the DSA:

• You do not distribute apps on the App Store in the EU.

  
  

• You only distribute your app via:

  • Alternative distribution methods (such as third-party app stores under the EU’s Digital Markets Act).

  • TestFlight (for beta testing).

  • The App Store outside the EU only.

When You ARE a Trader

If any of the following apply, you are likely a trader under EU law:

• You generate revenue from your app, such as:

  • In-app purchases

  • Paid apps

  • Ad-supported models

  • Large-scale transactions

    
    

• You engage in commercial practices towards consumers, such as:

  • Advertising

  • Promoting products or services

    
    

• You are registered for VAT purposes.

  
  

• You develop your app as part of a trade, business, craft, or profession, meaning you operate in a professional/business capacity.

  
  

• You have a legal status associated with a business activity, whether you are an individual developer or an organization.

However, if you developed your app as a hobbyist with no intention of commercialization, you may not be considered a trader.

What’s Next? Submit Your Trader Information

Once you have determined whether you qualify as a trader under EU law (if you're still unsure, we recommend consulting a legal expert), you can proceed with updating your compliance information in App Store Connect.

How to Submit Your Trader Information:

1. Log in to App Store Connect.

2. Navigate to the Compliance section.

3. Select the appropriate trader status option. Let us show what will happen if you choose the first option.

4. Provide Identification Documents.

If you identify as a trader, you will need to provide:

1. Organization Name Identification Document

2. Address Identification Document

The language of the documentation should be one of the following:

• English

• French

• German

• Italian

• Japanese

• Korean

• Mandarin

• Portuguese

• Spanish

Organization Name Identification Document

A document confirming that your business exists, such as an extract from the court or a statement from a designated local administration representative confirming business registration. However, whether the document will be sufficient depends entirely on Apple's team review.

Address Identification Document

A document confirming your business address, such as a document from the tax authority or one signed by a notary. However, as mentioned earlier, whether the document will be sufficient depends entirely on Apple's team review.

Submit this information before February 17, 2025, to avoid potential app removal from the EU App Store.

Find out how you can keep your app compliant with the latest Apple App Store guidelines. Never miss policy changes again.

Author: Filip Jabłoński, Senior iOS Developer