European Accessibility Act 2025

European Accessibility Act: since 28 June 2025 a must for online shops and bookings

Since 28 June 2025 websites through which consumers conclude a contract, such as a purchase or a booking, must be accessible in the EU. This follows from the European Accessibility Act, Directive (EU) 2019/882, which each member state turned into national law. Micro-enterprises that provide services are exempt: fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet total of at most €2 million.

Key facts

28.06.2025since then member states apply the rules (Article 31 of Directive (EU) 2019/882)
under 10 peopleand at most €2 million turnover or balance sheet total: micro-enterprises providing services are exempt (Article 4(5))
up to €80,000fine in Austria, up to €50,000 for small and medium-sized enterprises (§ 36 BaFG)
up to €100,000fine in Germany for a service that is not accessible (§ 37 BFSG)

1-minute check

Does the law apply to your website? 3 questions

The check follows the wording of the directive and of the Austrian and German laws. It does not replace legal advice, but it shows where you stand. Your answers stay in your browser.

The check needs JavaScript. The rules are also in the text of this page.

1. Can consumers conclude a contract through your website?for example buy, book or take out a subscription

Yesshop, booking or contract online No, information onlycontact by enquiry, phone or e-mail Only with businessesno consumers as customers

2. How many people does your business employ?

Fewer than 10 10 or more

3. Is your annual turnover or balance sheet total at most €2 million?

Yes, at least one of them No, both are higher

Who it covers

Who the European Accessibility Act covers, and who not

For websites the directive applies to “e-commerce services”: services provided at a distance through websites and mobile apps, at the individual request of a consumer, with a view to concluding a consumer contract (Article 3(30)). Each member state has its own law with its own fines; in Austria it is the Barrierefreiheitsgesetz (BaFG), in Germany the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG).

Covered: online shops, booking sites, subscriptions and contracts that consumers conclude on your website.
Not covered by the wording: pure information sites without a contract and offers only to businesses.
Exempt: micro-enterprises that provide services (Article 4(5)). A micro-enterprise employs fewer than 10 people and has an annual turnover or balance sheet total of at most €2 million (Article 3(23)).

Anyone covered must describe, in the general terms and conditions or a similar document, how the service meets the requirements (Austria: § 14(2) and Annex 3 BaFG). The benchmark is the standards published in the Official Journal of the EU (§ 5 BaFG).

Fines and deadlines

Up to €80,000 in Austria, up to €100,000 in Germany

Fines and transition periods according to the legal texts
Point	Austria (BaFG)	Germany (BFSG)
Service offered that is not accessible	up to €80,000, small and medium-sized enterprises up to €50,000 (§ 36(1))	up to €100,000 (§ 37(1) no. 8 and (2))
Accessibility information missing	up to €40,000, small and medium-sized enterprises up to €25,000 (§ 36(2) no. 2)	other breaches up to €10,000 (§ 37(2))
Contracts concluded before 28.06.2025	may run until they expire, at most 5 years (§ 37(2))	may run until they expire, at the latest until 27.06.2030 (§ 38(1))

How we build

Accessible from the start, measured before launch

Every page we build is checked before launch at 9 screen widths, in light and dark mode, with Google Lighthouse and the axe checker. The goal is at least 95 out of 100 points for accessibility. The Visible package includes an accessibility statement.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the European Accessibility Act

Does the law apply to pure information sites?

Not according to its wording. It covers services provided through a website with a view to concluding a consumer contract. A page without a purchase, booking or contract does not fall under it.

Am I affected as a sole trader?

If you provide services, employ fewer than 10 people and your turnover or balance sheet total is at most €2 million, you are exempt as a micro-enterprise (Article 4(5) of Directive (EU) 2019/882).

Does the law apply to business-to-business offers?

No. It applies to services for consumers. Anyone who only sells to businesses is not covered by the wording.

What are the penalties?

They differ by country. In Austria up to €80,000, for small and medium-sized enterprises up to €50,000 (§ 36(1) BaFG). In Germany up to €100,000 for offering a service that is not accessible (§ 37 BFSG).

Do I need an accessibility statement?

Anyone covered must describe how their service meets the requirements, in the general terms and conditions or a similar document (in Austria § 14(2) and Annex 3 BaFG).

Is accessibility worth it without an obligation?

Yes. An accessible page is easier for everyone to read and use, including on a phone, in sunlight or in a hurry. Clear headings and described images also help search engines understand your page.

Read on

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