The Directive (EU) 2019/882, popularly known as the European Accessibility Act (EAA), establishes a European legal framework to ensure that key products and services are accessible to people with disabilities and to all citizens.
With the application deadline set forJune 28, 2025, it is essential that companies, institutions and professionals fully understand what this regulation requires, what products and services it affects, and what the deadlines and consequences are.
In this article we offer you an executive summary of Directive 2019/882, we explain the requirements it establishes and we indicate how you can access the full official text.
What is Directive (EU) 2019/882
The Directive (EU) 2019/882, approved on April 17, 2019, is a key piece in the accessibility strategy of the European Union.
Its purpose is to ensure that certain products and services are accessible to:
- People with disabilities, permanent or temporary.
- Older people with functional limitations.
- Any citizen who, in certain circumstances, requires more usable digital environments.
The Directive responds to:
- The need to harmonize accessibility requirements across the EU.
- The removal of barriers in the single market.
- Strengthening the rights of citizens in the digital age.
Full text in PDF
You can consult the full official text in Spanish on the EUR-Lex portal:
Scopes of application of Directive 2019/882
The Directive applies to:
- Electronic communications services.
- Passenger transportation services.
- Retail banking services.
- E-commerce (e-commerce websites and mobile apps).
- Audiovisual services on demand.
Accessibility requirements
The affected products and services must meet functional requirements such as:
- Compatibility with assistive technologies.
- Textual alternatives for visual and auditory content.
- Accessible navigation with keyboard and voice commands.
- Intuitive and understandable interfaces.
- Accessible product documentation.
In the case of digital environments (websites and apps), compliance with the WCAG 2.1 AA standards or equivalent is recommended.
Sectors affected by the EAA in 2025
Starting June 28, 2025, the following products and services must be accessible:
- Online banking and mobile applications: Platforms must be compatible with screen readers, allow keyboard navigation and offer clear and understandable information.
- Automated teller machines (ATMs) and payment terminals (POS): They must have features such as voice output, braille text and a physical design that facilitates their use by people with reduced mobility.
- Contracts and pre-contractual information: Documentation must be available in accessible formats.
Electronic signature and identification services: They must be designed to be used by everyone. - Websites and mobile applications: They must comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at level AA. This involves, among other things, providing alternative texts for images, subtitles for videos and ensuring adequate color contrast.
- Purchasing process: From product selection to payment, the entire flow must be navigable and understandable for people with various disabilities.
Information about products and services: Descriptions and specifications must be clear and accessible. - Transport: Affects air, bus, rail and inland water transport services, with regard to their websites, mobile applications, ticket machines and real-time information.
- Telecommunications: Includes electronic communications services and the equipment used to access them.
- Audiovisual Services: Streaming platforms and other audiovisual services must guarantee the accessibility of their content.
- Electronic Books (E-books): Electronic book readers and the digital book formats themselves must be accessible.
- Computer Equipment and Operating Systems: General-purpose computers and their operating systems fall within the scope of application of the law.
- Public Administration: Although already subject to accessibility regulations, the AEA reinforces and expands the obligations of public entities.
- Insurers: Insurance companies are explicitly included within the scope of the Act. They are considered part of “financial services” directed to consumers
- Supermarkets: Given that the online sale of food and household products is a booming service, most large and medium-sized supermarket chains are required to make their e-commerce platforms fully accessible
Countries affected by the European accessibility law: Applicable regulations
- Spain: Law 11/2023 adapts the Directive to the Spanish legal framework.
- France: Ordonnance n° 2022-550 published in April 2022.
- Germany: Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) in force from June 2021.
Each country defines competent authorities to oversee compliance.
Steps to comply with Directive 2019/882
- Audit the current level of accessibility of your products and services.
- Plan necessary adaptations.
- Train internal teams on accessibility.
- Integrate accessibility requirements into the design and development processes.
- Document compliance for possible audits.
Starting as soon as possible is key to reaching the June 2025 deadline on time.
