European Accessibility Act

Does the EAA cover my website?

The EAA covers services for consumers, and the websites and apps used to provide them. For websites, that mainly means:

• online shops selling to consumers, whatever they sell;
• consumer banking;
• e-books and the software to read them;
• air, bus, rail and boat travel: booking, tickets and travel information;
• phone and internet services, and access to TV and streaming services.

Selling only to other businesses isn't covered. The exemption for microenterprises applies to services only: it doesn't cover products such as computers, phones or e-readers.

What does it ask for?

The law describes what services must do in general terms: content must be perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. In practice, a website that meets EN 301 549 is presumed to meet the law. For web pages, EN 301 549 uses WCAG Level AA: WCAG 2.1 in the version cited today, and WCAG 2.2 in version 4.1.1, published in September 2026 and expected to replace it. Meeting WCAG 2.2 AA covers both, so it's the safer target. See every criterion in our WCAG 2.2 checklist.

Services must also explain how they meet the requirements, usually in an accessibility statement on the site.

Who enforces it?

Each EU country has its own law, authority and fines. Germany's version, for example, allows fines of up to €100,000. Authorities can also order a service to be fixed or withdrawn, and in some countries disability organisations can take businesses to court.

How to check your website

1. Scan every page. Alleviator checks your whole site against WCAG 2.2, at desktop and phone sizes, and lists each problem with the page it's on and a screenshot. One page is free.
2. Fix the biggest problems first. The fix guide puts them in order and explains each in plain words, with steps for your website builder. If someone else built your site, send them a developer link with time estimates, or ask us to fix it.
3. Check what a scan can't. Some criteria need a person, like whether captions are accurate. Your report includes a guided checklist for them.
4. Keep a record. Paid plans build an accessibility statement, a draft conformance report in the VPAT® format buyers ask for, and a dated history of what you've fixed.
5. Keep checking. Websites change. Paid plans rescan every week and email you about new problems.

What we don't promise

We won't tell you a scan makes your site EAA compliant. Some requirements always need a person to check, and each country enforces the law its own way. What we can do is show you exactly what's wrong, help you fix it, and give you a statement and a dated record of the work. This page is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

• Directive (EU) 2019/882, the European Accessibility Act (EUR-Lex)
• Davis Wright Tremaine: new EN 301 549 standard released (September 2026)
• Germany: Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz, section 37 (fines)

Checked in October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Email us and we'll fix it.