The European Commission has told the tech giant to open its wallet after an eight-year legal battle - which started after the company was accused of getting unfair tax advantages from Ireland between 1991 and 2014 - that began in 2016.

The Irish government - who denied the EU’s claim - are now respecting the ruling, while Apple admitted they were “disappointed” with the decision of the European Courts of Justice after the lower court overturned in 2020 following a Commission’s ruling trying to clamp down on multinational companies abusing tax loopholes.

A spokesperson said: "This case has never been about how much tax we pay, but which government we are required to pay it to. We always pay all the taxes we owe wherever we operate and there has never been a special deal.

"The European Commission is trying to retroactively change the rules and ignore that, as required by international tax law, our income was already subject to taxes in the US.

"We are disappointed with today’s decision as previously the General Court reviewed the facts and categorically annulled this case."

In the ruling, the ECJ said: "The Court of Justice gives final judgment in the matter and confirms the European Commission’s 2016 decision: Ireland granted Apple unlawful aid which Ireland is required to recover."