European Accessibility Act: Vollständiger Leitfaden 2026
Der European Accessibility Act (EAA, Richtlinie 2019/882) ist eine wegweisende EU-Richtlinie, die verlangt, dass digitale Produkte und Dienstleistungen für Menschen mit Behinderungen zugänglich sind. Die Durchsetzung begann am 28. Juni 2025.
Wer muss sich daran halten?
Der EAA gilt für Unternehmen, die Produkte oder Dienstleistungen in der EU verkaufen und mehr als 10 Mitarbeiter ODER mehr als €2 Millionen Jahresumsatz haben. Dies umfasst E-Commerce-Websites, Bankdienstleistungen, Verkehrstickets und mehr.
Strafen nach Land
Jeder EU-Mitgliedstaat legt seine eigenen Strafen fest. Hier sind die wichtigsten:
| Country | Maximum Fine | Enforcement Authority |
|---|---|---|
| France | €250,000 | ARCOM |
| Germany | €100,000 | BFIT |
| Italy | €150,000 | AgID |
| Spain | €1,000,000 | Ministry of Social Rights |
| Netherlands | €830,000 | ACM |
| Portugal | €44,800 | INCODE |
| Poland | €25,000 | Ministry of Digital Affairs |
| Sweden | ~€900,000 | Post and Telecom Authority |
| Denmark | Case-by-case | Danish Agency for Digitisation |
See the detailed EAA fines and enforcement cases by country for jurisdiction-specific penalty regimes and real enforcement actions.
Was verlangt der EAA?
EAA Compliance Checklist
Use this practical checklist to audit your digital service against the core European Accessibility Act requirements:
- WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance — keyboard navigation, sufficient colour contrast (4.5:1 for normal text), alt text on images, labelled form fields, and screen reader compatibility. Use our free accessibility checker to scan your site.
- Accessibility statement — required under EAA Article 13. Must describe the accessibility level achieved, known limitations, and last review date. Generate one free with our accessibility statement generator.
- Complaint mechanism — provide a clearly accessible contact method for users to report accessibility barriers and request information in accessible formats.
- EN 301 549 additional requirements — beyond WCAG 2.1 AA, EN 301 549 covers mobile apps, non-web software, and hardware. Review clauses 5–13 if your service includes native apps.
- Verify microenterprise exemption — confirm your company status: fewer than 10 employees AND under €2M annual turnover for service providers. Note: product manufacturers are not exempt.
- Check for disproportionate burden exceptions — document any accessibility requirements you cannot meet due to undue financial or organisational burden (EAA Article 14). This must be formally assessed and documented.
Wichtige Fristen
- 28. Juni 2025 — Durchsetzung beginnt
- 28. Juni 2030 — Übergangsfrist endet für einige bestehende Dienste
Frequently Asked Questions — EAA Compliance
What is EAA compliance?
EAA compliance means meeting EU Directive 2019/882 (European Accessibility Act) requirements. Businesses must ensure digital products and services conform to EN 301 549, which references WCAG 2.1 Level AA as its technical baseline. Enforcement began June 28, 2025 across all 27 EU member states.
Who must comply with the European Accessibility Act?
The EAA applies to businesses offering e-commerce, banking, telecom, transport, e-book, and audiovisual services to EU consumers. It covers both products and services. Microenterprises providing services (fewer than 10 employees AND under €2M annual turnover) are exempt — but this exemption does not apply to product manufacturers.
What is the EAA compliance deadline?
The European Accessibility Act enforcement deadline was June 28, 2025. From this date, all new digital products and services offered to EU consumers must comply with EN 301 549. Some member states allow transition periods until 2030 for long-term service contracts signed before the deadline.
What are the fines for EAA non-compliance?
EAA fines are set nationally. Maximum penalties include Hungary (€1,260,000), Spain (€1,000,000), Netherlands (up to €900,000), France (€250,000), Italy (up to 5% of annual turnover), and Germany (€100,000). Most enforcement authorities issue a remediation order before financial penalties.
Does the EAA apply to non-EU companies?
Yes. The EAA applies based on where the service is offered — not where the company is headquartered. Any business offering products or services to EU consumers must comply, regardless of whether it is based in the US, UK, or any other country outside the EU.
What WCAG level is required for EAA compliance?
The EAA requires conformance with EN 301 549, which references WCAG 2.1 Level AA as its technical accessibility baseline. WCAG 2.2 Level AA is backwards-compatible with all WCAG 2.1 AA criteria and is the current recommended standard. Meeting WCAG 2.2 AA satisfies the EAA technical requirements.
What is the microenterprise exemption under the EAA?
Microenterprises providing services are exempt if they have fewer than 10 employees AND less than €2 million in annual turnover. This exemption applies only to service providers — not to manufacturers or importers of EAA-covered products such as computers, smartphones, ticket machines, or ATMs.