EAA Compliance Guide 2026: European Accessibility Act Explained

🇪🇺 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

EAA Penalties for Non-Compliance

Each EU member state enforces the EAA through its own laws. Penalties vary, but here are examples:

• Germany: Fines up to €100,000
• France: Fines up to €75,000
• Spain: Fines up to €1 million for serious violations
• Ireland: Fines up to 4% of annual turnover

Additionally, competitors can report non-compliant businesses, and customers can file complaints with national enforcement bodies.

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.