European Accessibility Act
Does the European Accessibility Act apply to your website?
Since 28 June 2025, the European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882) requires many consumer-facing websites, shops and apps in the EU to be accessible. Here is who it covers, what "accessible" means in practice, and how to check your site for free.
This is a plain-language summary, not legal advice.
Who it covers
Businesses that sell these services to consumers in the EU, wherever the business is based:
- Online shops (e-commerce)
- Consumer banking
- Passenger transport by air, bus, rail and water: websites, apps, e-tickets
- E-books and the software to read them
- Electronic communications and access to audiovisual media services
Who is exempt
Microenterprises that provide services: fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet of no more than €2 million. Pure B2B sites and brochure sites with nothing to buy are usually outside the scope, but check with a lawyer for your case.
What "accessible" means in practice
The harmonised standard EN 301 549 points to WCAG 2.1 Level AA. In practice that means:
- Everything works with a keyboard, with a visible focus
- Text contrast of at least 4.5:1 (3:1 for large text)
- Images, icons and form fields have text labels screen readers can read
- Headings and landmarks give the page a real structure
- Nothing depends on colour alone; no time limits you cannot extend
- An accessibility statement explaining how the service meets the rules
What happens if you do nothing
Each EU country sets its own penalties and market surveillance. In Germany, the BFSG allows fines of up to €100,000 and authorities can order a non-compliant service to stop. Consumers and associations can also complain.
By country
- Timișoara: Romania applies the European Accessibility Act through Law 232/2022; it covers online shops, banking, transport booking and similar consumer services from 28 June 2025.
- Romania: Law 232/2022 brings the European Accessibility Act into Romanian law, in force from 28 June 2025 for consumer-facing digital services.
- Germany: The BFSG (Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz) implements the European Accessibility Act in Germany and applies from 28 June 2025.
- The Netherlands: The Netherlands applies the European Accessibility Act from 28 June 2025 to consumer services such as online shops and banking.
- The UK: In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 expects reasonable adjustments online; the European Accessibility Act applies to what you sell to EU consumers.
Check your site in a minute
The free WCAG checker and SEO audit flag the most common failures: missing labels, low contrast, images without text. Automated checks find part of the problems; keyboard and screen-reader testing find the rest.
Questions
My site was built before June 2025. Does it still count?
Yes. The rules apply to services offered to consumers from 28 June 2025, not only to new sites.
Is an accessibility overlay widget enough?
No. Overlays do not fix missing labels, keyboard traps or broken structure in the code; the fixes have to be in the site itself.
Can you make my existing site compliant?
Often, yes. Run the free checks first. If the fixes are too deep, a new landing page or website built to WCAG 2.1 AA from the start is usually cheaper.
Start with one page: €1,200, ready in 3 days
Or check your current site first with a free audit. No call needed for either.