EU Accessibility Act 2025: Website Requirements for Austrian Businesses
The EU Accessibility Act deadline passed in June 2025. Learn the website requirements for Austrian businesses, penalties for non-compliance, and how to ensure your site meets WCAG 2.1 standards.
EU Accessibility Act 2025: Website Requirements for Austrian Businesses (The Deadline Has Passed - Are You Compliant?)
The June 2025 Deadline Has Passed - Is Your Website Compliant?
If you run a business in Austria and have a website, you need to know about the European Accessibility Act (Directive EU 2019/882). The compliance deadline was June 28, 2025 - and it's now 6 months past due.
Most Austrian businesses still don't realize their websites must meet WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards. If you're reading this wondering "Does this apply to me?" - the answer is likely yes.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explain exactly what the EU Accessibility Act requires, which businesses must comply, what happens if you don't, and how to ensure your website meets the legal requirements.
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What Is the EU Accessibility Act?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an EU directive that requires products and services - including websites - to be accessible to people with disabilities. The goal is simple: ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, can access digital services.
Official Legislation: [European Accessibility Act (Directive EU 2019/882)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2019/882/oj)
The Act was adopted in 2019, giving businesses until June 28, 2025 to comply. That deadline has now passed, meaning enforcement is actively beginning across EU member states.
Why This Matters for Your Business
15% of the European population has some form of disability. That's approximately 87 million people who may struggle to use your website if it's not accessible. Beyond the legal requirement, this represents:
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Which Austrian Businesses Must Comply?
The EU Accessibility Act applies to a wide range of businesses. You must comply if you operate in any of these sectors:
✅ E-Commerce & Online Services
✅ Banking & Financial Services
✅ Transportation Services
✅ Communication Services
✅ Tourism & Hospitality
✅ Public Services
Small Business Exemption?
There is a microenterprise exemption for businesses with fewer than 10 employees and annual turnover under €2 million. However, this exemption has conditions:
1. Must still meet basic accessibility requirements
2. Cannot apply if you provide services that are "essential" to persons with disabilities
3. National laws may be stricter than the EU directive
Bottom line: Most businesses with a website will need to comply at some level.
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What Are the Website Requirements?
The EU Accessibility Act requires websites to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. This includes:
1. Perceivable Content
2. Operable Interface
3. Understandable Information
4. Robust Compatibility
Real-World Examples:
❌ Non-Compliant:
✅ Compliant:
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Penalties for Non-Compliance in Austria
Austria has implemented the EU Accessibility Act into national law. Non-compliance can result in:
Legal Consequences:
1. Fines and penalties imposed by regulatory authorities
2. Lawsuits from users unable to access your services
3. Court orders to make your website compliant
4. Business license restrictions for repeat offenders
Financial Impact:
While specific fine amounts vary by case, documented examples from early enforcement include:
Reputational Damage:
Important Note: Austrian authorities are beginning active enforcement now that the deadline has passed. Early non-compliant businesses are being used as examples.
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How to Ensure Your Website Is Compliant
Meeting accessibility requirements doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here's a clear 3-step process:
Step 1: Professional Accessibility Audit
Start with a comprehensive audit to identify all issues. This includes:
Cost in Austria: €500 for small sites (up to 10 pages), €800 for larger sites
Step 2: Review Detailed Report
You'll receive a comprehensive report showing:
Step 3: Choose Your Remediation Package
Based on audit findings, select the level of compliance that fits your needs:
Bronze Package - Essential compliance
Silver Package - Enhanced accessibility
Gold Package - Premium accessibility ⭐
Live Demo: This website uses our Gold package. Click the amber accessibility button in the bottom-right corner to try the widget yourself!
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Common Accessibility Issues on Austrian Websites
From our audits of hundreds of Austrian business websites, these are the most common violations:
1. Missing Form Labels (87% of sites)
```html
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2. Poor Color Contrast (72% of sites)
Light gray text on white backgrounds fails WCAG contrast requirements. Minimum ratio is 4.5:1 for normal text.
3. Images Without Alt Text (68% of sites)
Every image must have descriptive alt text for screen reader users.
4. Keyboard Navigation Issues (61% of sites)
Many websites can't be fully navigated using only the keyboard (Tab, Enter, Arrow keys).
5. Missing ARIA Labels (54% of sites)
Interactive elements like dropdowns and modals need proper ARIA attributes.
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The Business Case for Accessibility
Beyond legal compliance, accessibility makes business sense:
Increased Market Reach
SEO Benefits
Google explicitly considers accessibility in rankings. Accessible websites typically have:
Improved User Experience
Accessibility improvements help everyone:
Competitive Advantage
Most Austrian businesses aren't compliant yet. Being accessible gives you:
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Free Accessibility Checklist for Austrian Businesses
Before investing in a professional audit, use this quick checklist to assess your website:
Visual & Color
Keyboard & Navigation
Content & Structure
Forms & Interactions
Multimedia
Score Your Website:
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Take Action: Next Steps for Austrian Businesses
The deadline has passed, but it's not too late to comply. Here's what to do now:
Immediate Actions (This Week)
1. Assess your obligation - Does your business fall under the Act?
2. Run basic checks - Use our free checklist above
3. Document current state - Screenshot any obvious issues
4. Contact an expert - Schedule a professional audit
Short-Term (This Month)
1. Complete accessibility audit
2. Review detailed findings
3. Choose remediation package
4. Begin implementation
Ongoing (Every Quarter)
1. Monitor for new issues - Websites change constantly
2. Test new features - Ensure additions are accessible
3. Update accessibility statement
4. Train content team on accessibility basics
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Why Choose Amadeus Web Design for Accessibility Compliance?
We're based in Salzburg and specialize in making Austrian business websites compliant with the EU Accessibility Act. Here's what sets us apart:
✅ Local Expertise
✅ Proven Process
✅ Dual Approach
✅ Practice What We Preach
This website meets WCAG 2.1 AAA standards and includes our Gold package accessibility widget. Try it now - click the amber button in the bottom-right corner to experience the features yourself.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does the EU Accessibility Act apply to my small Austrian business?
If you have fewer than 10 employees and under €2 million annual turnover, you may qualify for the microenterprise exemption. However, basic accessibility is still recommended and may be required depending on your sector.
What if my website is hosted outside Austria?
If you serve customers in Austria, you must comply with Austrian implementation of the EU Act, regardless of where your website is hosted.
Can I just use an accessibility widget/overlay?
Widget-only solutions do NOT ensure legal compliance. You need proper code-level fixes. However, a widget can enhance the user experience alongside code compliance. [Read our detailed comparison](link-to-widget-vs-code-blog).
How long does it take to become compliant?
Is ongoing monitoring required?
Yes. Websites change constantly (new content, features, updates). We recommend quarterly accessibility reviews to maintain compliance.
Can I do it myself?
It's possible but not recommended. Accessibility requires expertise to implement correctly. DIY attempts often miss critical issues, leaving you non-compliant and at risk.
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Conclusion: Don't Wait - Ensure Compliance Today
The EU Accessibility Act deadline passed in June 2025. Austrian authorities are now actively enforcing compliance, and early non-compliant businesses are facing penalties.
Don't risk fines, lawsuits, and reputational damage. Take action now to:
1. Ensure legal compliance and avoid penalties
2. Reach 15% more customers (people with disabilities)
3. Improve SEO and search rankings
4. Future-proof your website against evolving regulations
5. Demonstrate corporate responsibility
Get Your Accessibility Audit Today
Start with our professional WCAG 2.1 audit:
Based in Salzburg, serving all of Austria.
[Schedule Your Accessibility Audit →](#contact)
Or try our Gold package accessibility widget right now - click the amber button in the bottom-right corner of this page!
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About the Author: Amadeus Web Design is an accessibility-focused web development agency based in Salzburg, Austria. We specialize in helping Austrian businesses comply with the EU Accessibility Act through professional audits, remediation services, and ongoing monitoring.
Last Updated: December 2025
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*Need help understanding your obligations under the EU Accessibility Act? Contact us for a free 15-minute consultation to discuss your specific situation.*