Mandatory Website Accessibility Compliance for People with Disabilities: What Changes in 2025

Starting June 2025, Law 4994/2022 will be fully enforced, incorporating the European Accessibility Act, making it mandatory for Greek websites to comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.

Who Does It Concern?

The law applies to businesses that meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Employ 10 or more employees
• Have an annual turnover exceeding €2 million
• Provide digital products or services (e.g., e-shops, banking, booking platforms)

Small businesses are exempt, but they may voluntarily adopt accessibility principles to gain additional advantages.

What Does WCAG 2.1 AA Mean?

The WCAG 2.1 standard is based on four key principles:

• Perceivable: Alternative text for images, high color contrast, screen reader support.
• Operable: Full functionality via keyboard (no mouse needed), clear focus indicators.
• Understandable: Clear content, predictable navigation, comprehensible messages.
• Robust: Compatibility with assistive technologies and major browsers.

Fines and Penalties

Failure to comply can lead to:

• Fines range from 30,000 to €100,000
• Exclusion from EU-funded (NSRF/ESPA) and public projects
• Reputational damage
• Legal disputes

The Benefits of Accessibility

SEO Improvement: Google favors accessible websites. Better HTML structure and descriptive alt texts improve rankings.

Wider Audience Reach: Over 1 million people in Greece live with disabilities, accessibility opens new markets.

Enhanced User Experience (UX): Clear headings and simple navigation benefit all users, not just those with disabilities.

Mobile Friendly: Accessibility techniques align with responsive design, essential for mobile shopping experiences.

Practical Steps

If your business falls under the law’s scope, here’s what you need to do:

1. Audit: Use tools such as WAVE or Axe DevTools
2. Collaborate: Partner with a specialized agency for an accessibility audit
3. Prioritize: Focus on critical pages (home, products, checkout)
4. Train: Ensure your team understands the fundamentals of accessibility
5. Maintain: Accessibility is an ongoing process, not a one-time task

Conclusion

The new accessibility requirement is not just a legal obligation it’s an opportunity.

Businesses that comply gain a competitive advantage in a market that values digital inclusion.

At Digital Up, we help you create a fully compliant website that delivers exceptional user experience.

Contact us today.

Also read:

Voice Commerce: How It’s Shaping the Future of Online Shopping