Law 11/2023 on Digital Accessibility in Spain

What is Law 11/2023 on digital accessibility and what does it implement?

Law 11/2023 incorporates European Directive 2019/882 into Spanish law. Its objective is to harmonize accessibility requirements throughout the European Union. This regulation focuses on eliminating the barriers that prevent many people from using technological products and digital services.

In other words, it seeks to ensure that digital accessibility is not an option, but a legal and technical obligation.

What products and services does it affect?

The law establishes that certain essential products and services must meet specific accessibility criteria. These include:

Products

• Computer equipment and operating systems
• Payment terminals
• E-book readers
• Smart mobile devices
• ATMs and interactive vending machines

Services

• Websites and mobile applications of private companies
• E-commerce services
• Transportation services (information, ticket purchases, apps)
• Online banking and financial services
• Electronic communication services (PDFs, newsletters, email, etc.)

Who is bound by Law 11/2023?

The law affects both the public and private sectors, including:

• Large companies.
• SMEs, except those with fewer than 10 employees or an annual turnover of less than €2 million.
• Entities that provide essential services to consumers.

Important: Even small businesses that offer essential products or services (such as online stores or digital banks) may be required to comply.

What are the accessibility requirements?

The technical requirements are based on European standards, especially

• WCAG 2.1 Level AA (for websites and apps)
• EN 301 549 Standard (functional accessibility requirements)

The requirements include:

• Adequate color contrast
• Keyboard navigation
• Functional screen reading
• Clear and understandable information
• Compatibility with assistive devices (screen readers, magnifying glasses, etc.)

When does it come into effect?

Law 11/2023 entered into force on June 28, 2025. From that date, all covered products and services must be accessible.

Additional deadlines:

• Products marketed before June 28, 2025: may be maintained until June 2030.
• New companies or new services: must comply from their launch.

What happens if you don’t comply?

Failure to comply may result in:

• Financial fines
• Punitive procedures by the administration
• Reputational risk and loss of customers

In addition, affected individuals can file complaints or initiate legal proceedings.

How to comply with Law 11/2023 on digital accessibility?

Here are the basic steps to adapt:

1. Conduct an accessibility audit (website, app, products).
2. Consult applicable standards (WCAG, EN 301 549).
3. Address identified barriers with professional help.
4. Train your team in accessibility.
5. Include accessibility in your design and development processes.

If you don’t have internal resources, you can turn to a consulting firm specializing in digital accessibility.

Conclusion

Law 11/2023 is not only a legal obligation; it’s an opportunity to build a fairer, more inclusive, and universal digital environment. Adapting not only avoids sanctions but also improves your reputation, reach, and social impact.