Austria’s digital accessibility laws
Understand the benefits and risks associated with compliance requirements in Austria and determine the right approach for your organization.
What are Austria’s digital accessibility laws and standards?
The Austrian Parliament enacted The Accessibility Act, known locally as the Barrierefreiheitsgesetz (BaFG), in 2023. Today, it is the sole national instrument implementing the European Accessibility Act (EAA), creating a comprehensive legal framework covering both products and services.
Disability and digital accessibility in Austria
As your organization develops its digital compliance strategies, here are some key statistics to be aware of:
760K+
760,300 people with a “registered disability” live in Austria.
1.8M+
Over 24% of the Austrian population reports having a long-term or temporary disability.
82%+
More than 80% of people with disabilities in the EU (including Austria) use the internet every year.
Why digital accessibility is right for your organization
The benefits of offering accessible products and services are wide-ranging and include:
Legal compliance
By proactively addressing digital accessibility, you minimize legal risks, whereas non-compliance can lead to costly lawsuits, fines, and other negative consequences.
Expanded reach
Almost 800,000 people are registered as having a disability in Austria, with nearly 1.9 million reporting restrictions due to health problems. Accessibility digital properties enable you to reach this vast market.
Brand leadership
In Austria, customers value brands that prioritize inclusivity. Making your digital platforms accessible demonstrates your commitment to equality, strengthens your brand’s reputation, builds trust, and fosters customer loyalty.
Global alignment
Digital accessibility is a global movement, and countries around the world continue to prioritize regulations and standards that support greater digital equality. Being proactive now signals that your organization is a leader and innovator.
Austria’s longstanding accessibility commitment
Austria has demonstrated a decades-long commitment to accessibility, with the 1992 Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) being a significant early milestone. Since that time, the country has continued to lead on the global stage, with their recent adoption of WCAG 2.2 AA as the minimum accessibility benchmark being just one of many examples of Austria’s expansive approach to digital accessibility.
Austria and the European Accessibility Act (EAA)
Austria’s transposition of the European Accessibility Act (EAA) has been effective since June 28, 2025. This federal law establishes binding accessibility requirements for digital products and services, enforced by a centralized market surveillance authority with penalties reaching €80,000 for non-compliance.
Quick EAA reference table
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| National regulation(s) | The Accessibility Act (Austria), locally the Barrierefreiheitsgesetz (BaFG), BGBl. I Nr. 76/2023 |
| Surveillance authority | Federal Office for Social Affairs and Disability, locally the Sozialministeriumservice – Landesstelle Oberösterreich |
| Maximum fines | €80,000 (large enterprises); €50,000 (SMEs/micro-enterprises) |
| Accessibility statement requirements | No traditional statements; service information per Annex 3 required in written AND oral accessible formats |
| Consumer complaint mechanism | Direct complaints to Sozialministeriumservice; 8-week response deadline; no prior business contact required |
| Business reporting requirements | No regular compliance reports; mandatory self-notification of non-conformity to authority |
Penalties
Austria’s penalty regime distinguishes violations by severity and company size, with all fines channeled to disability support programs rather than general government revenue.
The BaFG establishes a three-tier administrative penalty system, with maximum fines determined by the severity of the violation and the size of the enterprise.
Scope of products and services
The BaFG applies to specific categories of products and services which may only be placed on the market or provided if they meet the law’s accessibility requirements.
Services provided after June 28, 2025
- Electronic communication services (excluding emergency calls and M2M)
- Services enabling access to audiovisual media
- Passenger transport elements: websites, mobile apps, electronic tickets, real-time information
- Consumer banking services
- E-books and related software
- E-commerce services
Services provided after June 28, 2025
- Electronic communication services (excluding emergency calls and M2M)
- Services enabling access to audiovisual media
- Passenger transport elements: websites, mobile apps, electronic tickets, real-time information
- Consumer banking services
- E-books and related software
- E-commerce services
Start building your global compliance strategy today—for Austria, and everywhere your organization operates.
Enforcement
Austria implemented a centralized single-authority model for EAA enforcement, consolidating all market surveillance and enforcement under the Federal Office for Social Affairs and Disability.
Enforcement powers
Examples include:
- Inspection authority. Examine products and services directly or through designated agents.
- Sample collection. Take product samples and request service demonstrations free of charge.
- Access rights. Enter premises, grounds, or transport vehicles during business hours without prior notice.
- Document requests. Demand technical specifications, conformity data, and access to embedded software.
- Supply chain information. Request distribution network details and product quantities.
Enforcement measures
Actions may include:
- Demand corrective measures within specified deadlines.
- Order product withdrawal from market or recall from end users.
- Issue provisional measures pending EU Commission review.
- Notify EU Commission and other Member States of serious risks.
- Issue administrative decisions ordering corrections.
- Require cessation of service offering if non-compliance persists.
Accessibility statement and information requirements
Under the BaFG, service providers must prepare information explaining how their services meet accessibility requirements. They must make that information publicly available in accessible written (digital text, print matter, electronic communications, etc.) and oral (telephone, video, in-person, etc.) formats.
Product documentation
Product manufacturers must prepare technical documentation and an EU Conformity Declaration, retain this documentation for five years after placing the product on the market, and ensure that products bear the required CE marking.
Built environment information
Where services are provided through self-service terminals (ATMs, ticket machines), the BaFG requires service providers to supply information on whether, and to what extent, the surrounding physical environment under their responsibility is accessible.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Austria’s digital accessibility law?
The Austrian Parliament enacted The Accessibility Act—known in Austria as the Barrierefreiheitsgesetz (BaFG)—as the sole national instrument implementing the European Accessibility Act. The purpose of the BaFG is to require certain products and services to meet accessibility requirements, supporting independent use by people with disabilities while aligning Austria’s accessibility rules with the EU internal market framework.
What is the difference between the EAA, the BaFG, and EN 301 549?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a directive of the European Union that aims to improve the accessibility of products and services for people with disabilities and the aging population in the EU. The EAA is a directive, not a law, so while its goals are legally binding, each member state of the European Union (EU) is required to transpose it into national law.
In Austria, that national law is the Barrierefreiheitsgesetz, or BaFG.
To ensure that its accessibility goals are met, the EAA requires that member states base their accessibility standards on a harmonized European standard. EN 301 549 is the standard of accessibility requirements for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) products and services in the European Union.
Austria’s BaFG mandates compliance with EN 301 549.
Is compliance with Austria’s accessibility laws mandatory?
Yes, the Accessibility Act establishes binding accessibility requirements for digital products and services, enforced by a centralized market surveillance authority with penalties reaching €80,000 for non-compliance. Failure to self-notify non-compliance is an additional penalty of €16,000.
Does the public sector in Austria have a different regulation than BaFG?
In Austria, the public sector is largely governed by the Web Accessibility Act (Web-Zugänglichkeits-Gesetz, or WZG) while the commercial sector is governed by BaFG.
Unlike rules that apply to public-sector websites, the BaFG does not require businesses to publish a standard accessibility statement. Instead, businesses must provide information explaining how their products or services meet accessibility requirements.
