Guide · Compliance
The European Accessibility Act: what it means for your website and eshop.
Since 28 June 2025, online stores and many other digital services in the EU must be accessible to people with disabilities. Here is what the law covers in Greece, who is exempt, and what to fix first.
What the law is
The European Accessibility Act is Directive (EU) 2019/882. Greece transposed it with Law 4994/2022, whose Part B has applied since 28 June 2025. It sets common accessibility requirements for certain products and services sold to consumers in the EU.
Who it covers
Among the services covered are e-commerce services, meaning any online sale of goods or services to consumers, along with consumer banking, e-books, electronic communications and parts of passenger transport such as websites, apps and e-tickets.
In practice, if you sell to consumers online, from an eshop to online bookings, the requirements most likely apply to the website or app you sell through.
The microenterprise exemption
Microenterprises that provide services are exempt from the service requirements. A microenterprise employs fewer than 10 people and has an annual turnover or balance sheet total of no more than €2 million. Both conditions must be met.
The exemption covers services only. Products, such as hardware or e-readers, are still covered. A business that grows past the thresholds loses the exemption. Even if you are exempt, an accessible site reaches more customers and usually performs better in search.
Fines
Article 26 of Law 4994/2022 provides for administrative fines of up to €100,000, and in serious cases measures such as suspending the service. Consumers can complain to the competent authorities, including the General Secretariat for Consumer Protection.
What 'accessible' means in practice
The harmonised European standard is EN 301 549, which for web content follows the WCAG 2.1 guidelines at level AA. These are the issues we find most often on Greek websites and eshops:
- Images and product photos without a text alternative
- Text with too little contrast against its background
- Menus, filters and checkout that cannot be used with a keyboard alone
- Form fields without labels and error messages that are not announced
- No visible focus outline, so keyboard users cannot see where they are
- Pop-ups and cookie banners that trap the focus or cannot be closed
- Videos without captions
- No accessibility statement explaining how the service meets the requirements
Where to start
- Check whether you qualify as a microenterprise, and keep a note of how you assessed it.
- Run an audit of your key pages: home, category, product, cart, checkout and contact.
- Fix the checkout and forms first, because that is where barriers cost you sales.
- Publish an accessibility statement and a way for customers to report problems.
- Build accessibility into every new page, instead of patching it on later.
We build accessibility into every website and online store from the start, and we can audit and fix existing sites. This guide is general information, not legal advice. For your specific case, speak to a lawyer.
Common questions
Answers before you ask.
Does the European Accessibility Act apply to my eshop?
If you sell to consumers online in the EU, most likely yes, unless your business is a microenterprise providing services (fewer than 10 people and turnover or balance sheet of no more than €2 million).
Since when does it apply in Greece?
Since 28 June 2025, when Part B of Law 4994/2022 came into force.
What standard should my website meet?
The harmonised standard EN 301 549, which for websites follows WCAG 2.1 level AA.
What are the fines?
Law 4994/2022 provides for administrative fines of up to €100,000, and further measures in serious cases.
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