European Accessibility Act 2025: Websites and Apps

A key date for the digital world

June 28, 2025 marked a turning point for all websites and applications in Europe. On that day, the European Accessibility Act (EU Directive 2019/882) came into effect, a regulation that requires digital products and services to be accessible to all people, including those with disabilities.

It is no longer a recommendation or an optional “extra”: digital accessibility has become a legal requirement. This affects both public administrations and private companies across sectors as diverse as e-commerce, banking, telecommunications, and transportation.

In this article, we will review the most important points of this regulation, its implications for digital businesses, and, above all, how to comply with it and turn accessibility into a growth opportunity.

What is the European Accessibility Act (EU 2019/882)

The European Accessibility Act, also known as the European Accessibility Act (EAA), is a directive approved by the European Union in 2019 with a very clear goal: to ensure that all people, regardless of their abilities, can access digital products and services on an equal basis.

In Spain, this directive has been transposed through Law 11/2023 and Royal Decree 193/2023, which establish the legal and technical framework that organizations must comply with. This means that digital accessibility ceases to be a voluntary best practice and becomes a legal obligation with deadlines and penalties.

The regulation not only aims to promote inclusion but also to harmonize rules across the European Union, so that companies and organizations operate under the same criteria and standards. In practice, this translates into adapting websites, apps, digital platforms, and electronic services to very specific accessibility requirements.

Who the regulation affects

The European Accessibility Act makes no distinction between public and private sectors: it affects all entities that offer digital products and services within the European Union.

The main sectors required to comply include:

Public Administrations

All websites and applications of official bodies must comply with accessibility requirements.

Private companies

E-commerce and online retail.
Banking and digital financial services.
Telecommunications and digital customer service.
Transport, including booking platforms, vending machines, and mobile apps.
Digital and audiovisual media, required to include subtitles, audio description, and accessible content.
E-books and e-readers.
ATMs and self-service terminals.

Even SMEs will be subject to this regulation if they offer any of these products or services within its scope.

In short: any organization with a digital presence that offers online services to European citizens must adapt its websites and apps by June 2025.

What requirements must websites and apps meet

To comply with the European Accessibility Act, websites and applications must adhere to very specific technical criteria. The goal is for anyone, regardless of their abilities, to navigate, understand, and use digital services without barriers.

The main requirements are:

Comply with international standards:

Key functional requirements:

Keyboard navigation: the website or app must be usable without a mouse.
Compatibility with assistive technologies such as screen readers.
Alternative text for images to ensure visual content is understandable.
Subtitles and audio description in videos.

In practice, this means reviewing the design, programming, and user experience so that all elements comply with these guidelines. A visual touch-up is not enough: accessibility must be integrated into the entire digital development cycle.

Deadlines and exceptions

The key date has already passed: on June 28, 2025, the European Accessibility Act came into force. From that day on, all new digital products and services are required to comply with accessibility requirements.

The regulation, however, established different adaptation timeframes:

Existing services and products: they may remain in operation until June 28, 2030, as long as they do not undergo substantial modifications.
Contracts signed before June 2025: they may remain in force for up to five more years.
Self-service terminals (such as ATMs or vending machines): they may be used for up to twenty years after their installation, even if they do not fully comply with the new requirements.
Microenterprises: in some cases they have been exempted from certain obligations, although applying good accessibility practices is still advisable to gain competitiveness and reputation.

In other words: since June 2025 compliance is mandatory for everything new, and existing services have a limited timeframe to adapt.

Digital accessibility with Xarxalia

The entry into force of the European Accessibility Act has confirmed something that we at Xarxalia have been applying for some time: accessibility is not just a legal obligation, but a way to build more inclusive, efficient, and competitive digital products.

In all our projects, we work with international accessibility standards to ensure that anyone can navigate, interact with, and enjoy a website or application without barriers. This not only guarantees compliance with regulations but also improves the user experience and strengthens the brand image of the companies that trust us.

Now is the time for organizations to take the definitive step and adapt their digital products to this new reality. At Xarxalia, we support each client throughout the entire process: from the initial audit to the implementation of technical and design improvements, always with a focus on innovation and timely delivery.

If your company has not yet adapted its website or app to the new regulations, now is the time to do so. Trust Xarxalia and let’s transform your digital presence together into an accessible environment for everyone.

FAQs

What is the European Accessibility Act (2025)?

It is the transposition in Spain of Directive (EU) 2019/882, known as the European Accessibility Act. Since June 28, 2025, it requires that all new digital products and services comply with accessibility criteria to ensure they can be used by anyone, including people with disabilities.

Which companies are required to comply with the regulation?

All companies that offer digital products or services in the European Union: e-commerce, online banking, transport, telecommunications, digital media, mobile apps, content platforms, e-books, ATMs, and self-service terminals. Even SMEs and startups must comply if they operate in these sectors.

What technical standards should I apply to my website or app?

The regulation requires alignment with the WCAG 2.1/2.2 level AA accessibility criteria and the technical standard UNE-EN 301549, which establish how digital services must be designed and developed to be accessible. This includes aspects such as keyboard navigation, compatibility with screen readers, video subtitles, color contrast, accessible forms, and a public accessibility statement.

What happens if my website does not comply with the Accessibility Act?

Non-compliance can lead to financial penalties, exclusion from public tenders, and loss of reputation. In addition, it means excluding a significant part of the population who will not be able to access your services, resulting in the loss of customers and business opportunities.

What are the advantages of making my website accessible beyond the law?

In addition to avoiding penalties, an accessible website improves the user experience for everyone, strengthens brand image, helps with SEO positioning, and expands the potential customer base. Ultimately, it turns accessibility into a competitive advantage.

How can Xarxalia help me comply with the regulation?

At Xarxalia, we carry out comprehensive accessibility audits, adapt websites and apps according to current standards (WCAG 2.1/2.2 and UNE-EN 301549), and implement inclusive design solutions. Our team combines technical expertise with strategic vision to ensure legal compliance, usability, and timely results.