In 2025, Apple spent more money than ever before lobbying European Union politicians. The company aims to secure its influence on shaping digital legislation. Although this makes Apple one of the biggest lobbyists in the European tech industry, it doesn't top the list of spending. The sums circulating in Brussels demonstrate just how important the EU market and its regulations have become for major technology companies.
Apple is facing increasing scrutiny from authorities and legislators worldwide. Strict data protection laws, multi-billion-dollar fines, and ever-new regulations are intensifying the pressure on the company. Like many other large corporations, Apple is attempting to shape these conditions through targeted political lobbying. Lobbying is a key tool in this effort, aiming to steer pending legislation in a direction that is acceptable or advantageous to the company's own business.
The figures from 2025 show that Apple is prepared to dig deep into its pockets for this. At the same time, they illustrate that the competition for political influence in Brussels has intensified further – and that Apple has become an integral part of this system.
Rising lobbying spending by the digital industry
A recent report by the organizations Corporate Europe Observatory and LobbyControl shows that lobbying spending by the digital industry in the EU rose from €131 million in 2023 to €151 million in 2025. This represents an increase of 33.6 percent in just two years.
Apple is among the ten largest lobbyists in this industry. This group of ten companies spends a combined total of around €49 million per year – almost a third of the total. Apple's share amounts to €7 million annually, which is approximately US$8.1 million. This puts the company in second place, tied with Microsoft and Amazon, behind Meta, which leads with €10 million (US$11.6 million). Qualcomm and Google follow in fifth place, each spending €4.5 million (US$5.24 million).
For comparison: In 2021, Apple's annual lobbying expenditures were around €3.5 to €3.75 million. The sum has therefore almost doubled, even though other companies have increased their budgets even more significantly. Amazon, for example, increased its spending by approximately €4.275 million per year, while Microsoft and Meta each invested an additional €2 million.
Meeting with EU representatives
Higher spending also allows for greater access to decision-makers. Between January and June 2025, a total of 146 meetings took place between large technology companies and high-ranking representatives of the European Commission. Apple participated in 29 of these discussions.
This puts the company behind Amazon with 43 meetings, Microsoft with 36 and Google with 35, but ahead of Meta with 27 meetings.
The discussions often focused on topics such as artificial intelligence, data centers, cloud services, and various EU laws. Artificial intelligence was discussed in 58 sessions, data centers and cloud services in 23, the Digital Services Act in 17, the Digital Markets Act in 16, and the proposed Digital Fairness Act also in 16.
Apple was also active in the European Parliament. In the first half of 2025, there were 232 documented meetings between lobbyists from the digital industry and members of parliament. Apple participated in 47 of these meetings – the same number as Google. Meta led the way with 63 meetings, followed by Amazon with 49 and Microsoft with 34.
Consulting services and external support
In addition to direct contacts, Apple also relies on external consultants to disseminate its positions. The total cost of consulting services for the digital industry is estimated at up to €9 million (US$10.48 million) per year. Of this, €2.3 million (US$2.68 million) is attributable to Apple. Only Amazon spends more, at €2.84 million (US$3.31 million).
These consulting firms help formulate messages, analyze political sentiment, and comment on legislation. Critics see them as a key component of a strategy to exert political pressure without appearing directly as corporations.
Criticism of Apple's lobbying efforts
The organizations behind the report sharply criticize Apple's approach. They see it as part of a pattern that increasingly places EU policy work under the influence of large corporations. Lobbying on this scale could jeopardize regulatory progress and further strengthen the position of powerful companies.
The report describes the rising spending as a "toxic brew" that jeopardizes years of progress in trying to curb the influence of tech giants. It calls on the European Commission to take a more decisive stand against this influence and to strengthen its digital laws.
One example of the pressure the EU is under is its past conflicts with the US. During Donald Trump's current presidency, tensions have repeatedly arisen over high EU fines against American corporations. The White House made it clear at the time that it would not accept such penalties. As a result, the EU considered reducing the fines against Apple and other companies – an indication of how closely economic and political influence are intertwined.
Apple is accused of deliberately working to loosen restrictions under the Digital Markets Act. This law aims to create fair competition and prevent large platforms from disadvantaging smaller providers. For Apple, this affects core business areas such as the App Store, payment services, and more.
Apple between influence and regulation
In 2025, Apple took its lobbying efforts in the European Union to a new level. With €7 million per year, the company is among the biggest political influencers in the tech industry. The number of meetings with EU representatives, the external consulting services, and the targeted topics of discussion demonstrate how deliberately Apple attempts to influence—or even steer—regulatory developments.
Criticism of this approach is growing. Organizations are calling for greater transparency and stricter rules to curb the influence of economic interests on politics. For Apple, the EU remains a crucial market – but also a political risk. The more stringent the regulations, the greater the incentive to influence them.
Developments in the coming years will show whether European institutions can withstand the pressure from large tech companies – or whether companies like Apple will continue to dictate the rules of the game. (Image: Shutterstock / slexp880)
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