EAA Compliance Guide 2026: European Accessibility Act Explained
🇪🇺 EAA QUICK SUMMARY
Deadline
June 28, 2025
⚠️ PASSED
Standard
EN 301 549
WCAG 2.1 Level AA
Penalties
Up to €100,000
per violation
🌍 Applies to any business serving EU customers
🇪🇺 If you do business in Europe — or sell products or services to European customers — you need to know about the European Accessibility Act (EAA).
This law went into effect in June 2025, and it's already changing how websites operate across the EU. In this EAA compliance guide, I'll explain what the European Accessibility Act is, who it applies to, what the requirements are, and how to check if your website complies.
Deadline has passed — but compliance is now ENFORCED
If you're not compliant, you're at risk
✅ Free EAA Compliance Checker
Scan your website for EAA requirements. Based on WCAG 2.1 standards.
Check EAA Compliance Free →What Is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a landmark EU law that requires products and services to be accessible to people with disabilities. It's essentially Europe's version of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) — but specifically for digital products and services.
The EAA became enforceable on June 28, 2025. That means if your website, app, or digital product isn't accessible, you can face legal action, fines, and penalties.
Who Must Comply with EAA?
Online stores selling to EU customers
Financial services, payment platforms
Airlines, trains, buses with EU routes
Phone, internet, and TV providers
Hospitals, clinics, health apps
If you have EU customers, EAA applies to you too!
Who Does the EAA Apply To?
The EAA applies to any business that offers covered products or services in the EU — regardless of where the business is located.
✓ Covered Products & Services
- 🖥️ Websites and e-commerce platforms
- 📱 Mobile apps
- 💳 Payment terminals and ATMs
- 📺 Smart TVs and e-readers
- 📞 Emergency services (112)
- 🚆 Transport services (ticketing, information)
- 🏦 Banking and financial services
- 📚 E-books and digital reading platforms
Small Business Exemption?
Unlike the ADA, the EAA has a micro-enterprise exemption. If your business has fewer than 10 employees AND annual turnover under €2 million, you are exempt from the EAA.
However, many experts recommend complying anyway — because accessibility is good for business, and future growth may put you over the threshold.
EAA Requirements — What Your Website Needs
The EAA doesn't create new technical standards. Instead, it references WCAG 2.1 Level AA — the same standard used for ADA compliance.
✅ Your Website Must Have:
- Alt text for images — Screen reader users need descriptions
- Keyboard accessibility — Everything must work without a mouse
- Color contrast — Text must be readable (4.5:1 ratio)
- Captions for videos — Deaf users need text alternatives
- Clear headings structure — H1, H2, H3 in logical order
- Focus indicators — Visible outline when using Tab key
- Accessible PDFs — No scanned images as documents
- Form labels — Every input field needs a label
EAA Penalties — What Happens If You Don't Comply?
| Country | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|
| 🇩🇪 Germany | €100,000 |
| 🇫🇷 France | €75,000 |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | €50,000 |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | €40,000 |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | €45,000 |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | 4% of annual turnover |
⚠️ Penalties vary by country. Some member states also allow daily fines until compliance is achieved.
EAA vs ADA: What's the Difference?
Many business owners confuse the EAA and ADA. Here's a quick comparison:
- ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) — US law. Applies to US businesses and websites accessed from the US.
- EAA (European Accessibility Act) — EU law. Applies to any business selling to EU customers.
- Technical standard: Both use WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
- Enforcement: ADA — private lawsuits. EAA — EU member state authorities.
- Penalties: ADA — up to $150,000. EAA — varies by country, up to 4% of annual turnover.
How to Check EAA Compliance on Your Website
Since the EAA uses WCAG 2.1 Level AA, checking EAA compliance is similar to checking ADA compliance. Here's your workflow:
Step 1: Run an Automated Scan
Use AccessiTool's free EAA compliance checker. Enter your URL and get a detailed report of violations.
Step 2: Manual Testing
- 🔹 Tab through your entire website — can you see focus indicators?
- 🔹 Check color contrast — use our free contrast checker
- 🔹 Test with screen reader (NVDA for Windows, VoiceOver for Mac)
Step 3: Fix Issues
Start with critical failures (Level A), then move to Level AA issues. Most fixes are simple HTML/CSS changes.
Step 4: Document Your Compliance
Keep records of your scans, fixes, and accessibility statement. This is your defense if questioned.
Tools to Test EAA Compliance
- AccessiTool EAA Checker — Free EAA compliance scan against EN 301 549
- AccessiTool ADA Checker — Also tests WCAG 2.1 AA (same as EAA)
- Multi-Law Report — EAA + ADA + Section 508 combined
🔍 Run Your Free EAA Compliance Scan
Check if your website meets European Accessibility Act requirements.
Start Free EAA Scan →Internal Links: More Accessibility Resources
Frequently Asked Questions About EAA
Final Thoughts
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is already in effect. If you do business in Europe — or plan to — you need to take it seriously.
The good news? The EAA uses the same WCAG 2.1 standards as ADA. If you're already working on accessibility for the US market, you're most of the way there for Europe.
Start today. Run a free EAA compliance scan on your website. Fix the issues. Document your work. And sleep better knowing you're compliant on both sides of the Atlantic.
🇪🇺 Is Your Website EAA Compliant?
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