The European Central Bank (ECB) has advanced that the development of the mobile application of the digital euro will integrate the most demanding accessibility standards and will exceed the obligations set by community regulations. These features will be tested through usability and accessibility trials within the pilot program planned for 2027.
In parallel, the requirements of the 'app' will undergo additional validation through specific tests with members of the ONCE Foundation for Cooperation and Social Inclusion of People with Disabilities, as well as with employees of the ECB and 19 national central banks. The goal is to ensure a homogeneous and inclusive user experience across all countries in the euro area.
According to the institution, the design proposal incorporates accessibility features that go beyond what is required by the European Accessibility Act and by the EN 301 549 standard, placing it among the most advanced solutions currently available. In this way, the Eurosystem reaffirms its commitment to inclusion, so that the digital euro is accessible to any citizen.
The proposed design follows the most demanding levels of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines applied to payment applications on mobile devices, covering key aspects such as perception, operability, and cognitive accessibility.
Thus, it is expected that the application will incorporate advanced tools to eliminate common barriers faced by people with different needs, such as an optimized visual environment, complete navigation via keyboard, compatibility with screen readers, session closure alerts, simplified language, error prevention mechanisms, and options to reduce screen movement.
"Like cash, the digital euro will be a public good and, in the digital age, all Europeans must be able to access it on equal terms," said Piero Cipollone, member of the Executive Board of the ECB and chairman of the High-Level Task Force on a digital euro.