Preparing Mobile Apps for the European Accessibility Act: What You Need to Know

As the digital world becomes more regulated, accessibility is emerging as a critical compliance and design requirement—especially for mobile applications. With the European Accessibility Act (EAA) set to take full effect by June 28, 2025, now is the time for product teams, developers, and mobile-first businesses to get ready.

What Is the European Accessibility Act?

The EAA is an EU directive that requires certain products and services—including mobile apps—to be accessible to people with disabilities. It aligns national rules across EU member states, reducing fragmentation and enabling a more unified approach to digital accessibility.

Under the Act, mobile applications in key industries must meet technical accessibility standards. Affected sectors include:

• E-commerce
• Banking and financial services
• Transportation (ticketing, booking apps)
• Telecommunications
• E-books and media services
• Public services and utilities

Even non-EU companies distributing apps in the EU will be required to comply.

Technical Standards: What Does "Accessible" Mean?

To comply with the EAA, mobile apps must follow harmonized European standards, which currently point to:

• EN 301 549: The European standard for ICT accessibility requirements.
• WCAG 2.1 Level AA: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, which also apply to mobile content.
• ISO/IEC 40500: The international version of WCAG 2.0, still relevant in many testing frameworks.

These standards translate into tangible mobile development requirements:

1. Screen Reader Support

• Use platform-native accessibility APIs (UIAccessibility for iOS, AccessibilityNodeInfo for Android).
• Ensure all interactive elements (buttons, links, images) have descriptive labels via contentDescription, accessibilityLabel, etc.

2. Keyboard and Switch Navigation

• Ensure users can navigate the app using external keyboards, switch controls, or voice commands.
• Avoid focus traps and ensure logical tab ordering.

3. Color and Contrast

• Maintain minimum contrast ratios (4.5:1 for text under WCAG 2.1 AA).
• Avoid conveying information through color alone—use labels or icons in tandem.

4. Text Scaling and Zoom

• Support system font scaling preferences.
• Avoid fixed layout sizes that break with larger text.

5. Touch Target Size

• Ensure tappable elements are at least 44x44dp (Apple) or 48x48dp (Google).
• Provide sufficient spacing to prevent input errors.

6. Error Handling and Feedback

• Provide accessible error messages (e.g., via ARIA live regions or native equivalents).
• Clearly indicate validation issues without relying on red text alone.

Development & Testing Workflow

Implementing accessibility at scale means shifting left and baking it into the dev lifecycle. Here’s how:

✅ Design Phase

• Use Figma or Sketch accessibility plugins to test contrast and semantics.
• Annotate designs with accessibility specs (e.g., labels, roles, keyboard behavior).

✅ Development Phase

• Use linters and accessibility checkers like Accessibility Scanner (Android), Xcode Accessibility Inspector (iOS).
• Implement automated tests using tools like axe DevTools, Detox, or Appium with a11y assertions.

✅ QA Phase

• Include manual testing with screen readers: VoiceOver (iOS) and TalkBack (Android).
• Consider diverse testers, including those with real accessibility needs.

What Happens If You Don’t Comply?

By 2025, EU member states will begin enforcing compliance. Consequences include:

• Fines and penalties, depending on national enforcement
• Blocked app distribution in the EU market
• Legal challenges or consumer complaints
• Reputational risk and loss of customer trust

Final Thoughts: Accessibility as a Competitive Advantage

The EAA isn’t just about compliance—it’s about building inclusive, user-friendly apps that work for everyone. Companies that start early will avoid technical debt, improve app quality, and tap into underserved markets.

If you’re building mobile apps for the EU, accessibility needs to be part of your development strategy today—not next year.

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The Nami platform helps you build and manage native, dynamic paywall experiences that are fully WCAG-compliant—no custom code required. From screen reader support to proper semantic structure, we’ve baked accessibility into every layer. Let us help you meet the European Accessibility Act requirements without compromising on design or conversion.

Get in touch to future-proof your monetization experience.