The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a landmark directive (Directive (EU) 2019/882) designed to make products and services across the EU more accessible to people with disabilities. It shifts accessibility from being a “nice-to-have” into a legal requirement, ensuring equal access to banking, e-commerce, telecom, e-books, public transport, and more.
By June 28, 2025, all 27 EU Member States must enforce these requirements through national laws. The goal is to harmonize accessibility across Europe, reduce legal fragmentation, and open markets for inclusive digital services. For organizations, this means accessibility can no longer be treated as a one-time compliance project—it must be built into processes, products, and services from the ground up.
Key obligations include:
- Accessible digital documents and forms (invoices, tickets, contracts, etc.)
- Inclusive apps and websites following WCAG standards
- Accessible self-service terminals (ATMs, ticket machines)
- Clear responsibilities, measurable goals, and ongoing audits
To illustrate how different EU countries are implementing the EAA, here’s a practical overview of national laws and real-life examples of accessibility in action:
| Country | National law / regulation (EAA transposition) | Oversight / notes | Example of Accessibility in Practice |
| Germany | Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) | Federal & Länder market-surveillance authorities | Banks must provide accessible PDF/UA account statements that can be read with screen readers |
| France | Law No. 2023-171 (Art. 16) + Decree No. 2023-931 | Implements EAA requirements | E-commerce sites must include proper labels and alt-text so blind users can complete purchases independently |
| Spain | Ley 11/2023 | Applies from 28 Jun 2025 | Transport operators must ensure ticket machines and online booking platforms are screen-reader and keyboard accessible |
| Ireland | S.I. No. 636 of 2023 | Statutory instrument implementing the EAA | Telecom companies must provide accessible customer apps, e.g., with voice navigation and text-to-speech |
| Portugal | Decreto-Lei n.º 82/2022 (+ Portaria 220/2023) | Diário da República references | E-book providers must ensure EPUB files are fully navigable by assistive technologies |
| Austria | Barrierefreiheitsgesetz (BaFG) | Published 19 Jul 2023 | ATMs must have tactile buttons and speech output for blind users |
| Netherlands | Warenwetbesluit toegankelijkheidsvoorschriften 2024 | Dutch govt confirms transposition | Government digital forms (tax, permits) must comply with WCAG 2.1 accessibility |
| Poland | Act of 26 April 2024 | Covers accessibility for certain products & services | Insurance policies must be issued in accessible digital formats for visually impaired customers |
| Luxembourg | Law of 8 March 2023 | Accessibility requirements | Banking mobile apps must be navigable via screen readers and voice commands |
| Malta | Accessibility Measures Regulations (S.L. 627.03) | National regulations aligned to EAA | Airline boarding passes in mobile apps must be accessible to people with low vision |
| Czech Republic | Act No. 424/2023 | Accessibility requirements for products & services | Online university portals must allow keyboard-only navigation and captions for videos |
| Hungary | Government Decree 605/2022 | Accessibility requirements | Retailers’ websites must allow accessible checkout for assistive tech users |
| Romania | Law No. 232/2022 | Accessibility of products & services | Utility bills (electricity, gas) must be issued in accessible PDF/UA formats |
| Italy | Legislative Decree No. 82/2022 | Full EAA transposition | Transport apps (train/bus) must support voice-over for blind passengers |
| Latvia | Law on the Accessibility of Goods and Services | National law implementing EAA | Public sector websites must include transcripts for audio content |
| Lithuania | Law No. XIV-1633 | Accessibility requirements | E-commerce platforms must ensure zoom and high-contrast modes for low-vision users |
Why this matters
The EAA is more than compliance- it’s about building sustainable digital inclusion. Organizations that act early can avoid legal risks, reduce costs through scalable solutions, and unlock new market opportunities by serving a broader audience.
Accessibility goes beyond compliance – it creates real business value.
