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Europe Accessibility Act Compliance - June 28, 2025
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What is the EAA, and how do I address it in 2025?
According to Eurostat estimates, 27% of the EU population—101 million people--have some form of disability. The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is working to address this topic.
The (EAA) is a directive of the European Union across all member states, ensures a baseline level of accessibility for digital products and services. The EAA regulations seek to eliminate usage barriers for individuals with disabilities by enforcing equal access to information, communication technologies, and other critical services. These regulations become effective at a country level on June 28, 2025.
What products and services does the EAA cover?
Understanding the European Accessibility Act
The EAA was officially adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in June 2019. Member states were given until June 28, 2022, to implement the directive into their national laws, ensuring that the requirements of the EAA are reflected in their legal systems.
From this point, companies and service providers have been given a deadline of June 28, 2025, to show they can comply with the objective set forth by the EAA.
Unlike regulations and laws in particular countries, the EAA doesn’t give specific directives or criteria for digital accessibility standards. For EAA compliance, organizations should align with accepted guidelines like the European Standard EN 301 549 (Accessibility Requirements for ICT Products and Services) and WCAG 2.1. However, it’s important to note that EN 301 549 is expected to be revised in 2025 and will likely include updated WCAG 2.2 standards.
Why compliance matters:
As the 2025 compliance deadline approaches, companies are urged to assess their current practices, invest in accessibility improvements, and embrace the benefits that a more inclusive digital world offers.
While the directive sets a common framework, the specific penalties for non-compliance will vary by country, as member states are responsible for enforcing the act through their national laws. Failure to comply with the EAA can result in significant legal actions, including substantial fines for glaring or repeated failures to meet accessibility standards. Besides financial consequences, non-compliance can damage an organization’s reputation, affecting customer trust and loyalty.
The European Accessibility Act represents a significant step forward in the journey towards inclusive digital environments. By setting out clear requirements and deadlines, the EAA encourages organizations to prioritize accessibility, not just as a legal necessity but as a moral and strategic imperative.
Understanding the requirements lowers your legal risk
Countries within the EU have adopted WCAG guidelines to create a common point for digital criteria within the EAA reach. The EAA serves as a baseline, but countries may have additional regulations for accessibility.
You should be aware that penalties for violations can be severe: large fines, public disclosure, and even being banned from doing business. While this is not legal advice, listed below are summaries of each country’s regulations to broaden your own understanding.
Country list within the EAA regulatory scope
Austria: The Web Accessibility Act, or Web-Zugänglichkeits-Gesetz (WZG), mandates public websites and apps must comply with WCAG 2.1 standards and ensure equal digital access for all users. Read our Austria Summary.
Belgium: All public-sector digital services need to meet WCAG standards, as mandated by Belgium’s Royal Decree. This regulation compliance is under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Telecommunications and Economy. Read our Belgium Summary.
Croatia: Croatian law includes accessibility mandates for public-sector websites, apps, and necessary or crucial digital services. It does allow some exceptions for pre-2018 content, live media, and archival content. Read our Croatia Summary.
Cyprus: The Republic of Cyprus’ digital accessibility regulation, effective June 2025, ensures accessible digital content across various sectors. Administered by the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Republic of Cyprus requires equal access for people with disabilities. Non-compliance of digital content can result in penalties. Read our Cyprus Summary.
Czech Republic: The Czech Republic created the Digital Accessibility Act (Act No. 99/2019), applying extensive accessibility requirements to products and services across sectors. The Act is governed by the Ministry of the Interior and Czech Trade Inspection. Read our Czech Republic Summary.
Denmark: Overseen by the Danish Agency for Digital Government, Denmark’s Act on Accessibility Requirements for Products and Services requires accessibility statements for websites and mobile apps, ensuring public and private sector accountability. Read our Denmark Summary.
Estonia: Digital services in Estonia are covered by the Product and Service Accessibility Act (Toodete ja teenuste ligipääsetavuse seadus). Compliance is overseen by the Consumer Protection and Technical Supervision Agency, emphasizing inclusivity and accountability. Read our Estonia Summary.
Finland: Finland’s Act on the Provision of Digital Services (Laki digitaalisten palvelujen tarjoamisesta), mandates WCAG 2.1 compliance and requires providers to maintain detailed accessibility statements. The Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Justice share monitoring of public-facing digital services. Read our Finland Summary.
France: Overseen by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, France’s Decree No. 2023-931 mandates digital accessibility for people with disabilities. While this regulation does make a point to exclude private use and infeasible cases, non-compliance with regulations will result in increasing fines. Read our France Summary.
Germany: Overseen by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Germany’s Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) includes fines for non-compliance of digital content on public websites, apps, and administrative services. Read our Germany Summary.
Greece: Greece’s accessibility law (ΝΟΜΟΣ ΥΠ’ ΑΡΙΘΜ. 4994) governs digital accessibility compliance and requires regular and transparent updates in reporting and addressing issues. Read our Greece Summary.
Hungary: Websites and apps for the accessibility of public-sector organizations are covered by Hungary’s LXXV of 2018 law which ensures access for all users, including those with disabilities. Read our Hungary Summary.
Ireland: Ireland’s regulations for digital accessibility, Statutory Instrument No. 636/2023, effective since September 2020, require public and private sector websites and mobile apps to meet accessibility standards. Read our Ireland Summary.
Italy: Italy’s Stanca Act covers digital accessibility mandates for digital interfaces, IT providers, and those with public funding. Overseen by the Ministry of Economic Development, the directive enforces monetary penalties and even the withdrawal of non-compliant products from the market. Read our Italy Summary.
Latvia: Latvia mandates individuals with disabilities should have equal access to online content and services. Accessibility statements and compliance are overseen by multiple regulatory bodies. Read our Latvia Summary.
Lithuania: The regulations in Lithuania for digital accessibility include online content and services in a wide range of sectors. Lithuania’s penalties for non-compliance with the law include Governed by multiple ministries, the law includes penalties for non-compliance, including showing action toward remediation within three working days. Read our Lithuania Summary.
Luxembourg: Governed by the Office for Monitoring Accessibility of Products and Services (OSAPS), Luxembourg’s digital accessibility regulation ensures accessible digital products and services. It includes specific penalties for non-complianceand requires transparency through accessibility statements. Read our Luxembourg Summary.
Malta: Malta’s digital accessibility regulations include a range of products and services used by the public. Enforcement is managed by the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability and include hardware, terminals, and communications, as well as digital platforms and e-commerce. Read our Malta Summary.
Netherlands: The Netherlands enacted the Commodities Act Decree on Accessibility Requirements, which mandates accessible digital services and products. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport oversees these regulations and penalties for non-compliance. Read our Netherlands Summary.
Norway: Since October of 2022, Norway’s Act on Equality and Prohibition of Discrimination requires accessible ICT for businesses and public interfaces. Enforced by the Directorate for Digitisation, non-compliance will result in compulsory fines implemented daily, in some cases. Read our Norway Summary.
Poland: Poland’s regulations for digital accessibility regulation are administered by the State Fund for Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons (PFRON). Covering a broad range of products and services, it includes penalties for non-compliance and, incertain cases, PFRON can prohibit the product or service from being made available on the market. Read our Poland Summary.
Portugal: Portugal’s Decree-Law No. 83/2018, mandates all content on websites and applications be accessible, including non-textual elements, authentication processes, and online forms. Overseen by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, penalties can include fines as well as public disclosure of violations in national media. Read our Portugal Summary.
Romania: Romania’s digital accessibility law, Legea nr. 232/2022, covers a wide range of digital products, services, and transport elements. Governed by multiple authorities, it enforces penalties for non-compliance, including fines and recalls of non-compliant products. Read our Romania Summary.
Slovakia: Outlined by Government Regulation no. 282/2023, Slovakia’s digital accessibility requirements apply to a range of public and private sectors. The regulation aims to ensure accessibility and includes provisions for compliance. Read our Slovakia Summary.
Slovenia: Slovenia’s digital accessibility regulations strive to ensure accessibility across digital services and products. Overseen by the TIRS (Technical Inspection and Regulatory Services), it includes provisions for compliance and penalties for non-adherence, with fines escalating depending on the entity’s role, size, and the severity of the violation. Read our Slovenia Summary.
Spain: Spain’s Law 11/2023 mandates digital accessibility across various sectors including e-commerce, consumer banking, e-books, and travel agency services. Overseen by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, violations can include fines and even in businesses being banned from operating in Spain for up to two years. Read our Spain Summary.
Sweden: Sweden’s digital accessibility law is overseen by the Ministry of Social Affairs. It covers various tech and services, with non-compliance potentially resulting in significant fines. Read our Sweden Summary.
Other European countries
Other countries exist within the European continent who are not mentioned in the previous list. We reference them here for ease of navigation:
- Bulgaria - The country of Bulgaria has not yet incorporated the EAA into national law. The European Commission has decided to refer Bulgaria to the Court of Justice to persuade the country to enact their initiative.
- Iceland - The country of Iceland has adopted EN 301 549 and partially adopted the EAA regulations.
- Switzerland - The country of Switzerland is not a part of the EU and therefore not subject to the EU accessibility laws. They have, however, created a law that prohibits private and public organizations from discriminating against people based on a disability. The Federal Law on the Elimination of Inequalities for Persons with Disabilities is also sometimes known as the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).
- Turkey - The Turkish government has adopted EN 301 549, but they have not yet adopted the EAA framework.
- United Kingdom - The UK does not fall under the European Union EAA, but it does have its own accessibility initiative. We invite you to read about the UK Equality Act 2010.
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