The European Central Bank has made public the design of the digital euro application, which will incorporate advanced accessibility features that exceed the requirements of the European Accessibility Act. The app will be tested in the 2027 pilot.
The European Central Bank (ECB) has revealed the accessibility features of the future digital euro application, a design that, according to the institution, goes beyond what is required by European regulations. The app, which will allow citizens to access basic services of the digital currency, will undergo usability and accessibility testing starting in 2027, as part of the digital euro pilot.
The presented design includes advanced features that exceed the requirements of the European Accessibility Act and the EN 301 549 standard. The ECB asserts that these features are among the most advanced on the market and reflect the Eurosystem's commitment to inclusion, aiming for the digital euro to be accessible to all Europeans, regardless of their abilities or level of digital confidence.
Among the planned features are an enhanced visual design, full keyboard navigation, compatibility with screen readers, wait time alerts, simplified language, error prevention, and reduced motion options. These characteristics align with the highest level of accessibility criteria from the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), adapted for mobile payment applications.
“Like cash, the digital euro will be a public good, and in the digital age, all Europeans should be able to access it on equal terms,” stated Piero Cipollone, a member of the ECB's Executive Board and chair of the High-Level Group on the digital euro. “We support the legislative proposal from the European Commission, which would ensure that everyone has access to the digital euro application. Accessibility is the way to ensure that the digital euro belongs to everyone,” he added.
The application design has been developed in close collaboration with consumer organizations, accessibility experts, and national central banks. The ECB has already shared the proposal with market participants and relevant stakeholders. The resulting application is currently in development and will be tested during the digital euro pilot starting in 2027.
Simultaneously, the application requirements will be validated through usability and accessibility testing with members of the ONCE Foundation for Cooperation and Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, as well as with staff from the ECB and 19 national central banks. The aim is to ensure a consistent and inclusive user experience across the euro area.
According to the proposed Regulation on the digital euro, the ECB's application will be one of several ways to access the basic services of the digital currency. Users will also be able to access the digital euro through the channels offered by their payment service providers, which will remain the primary point of contact for end users. The European Commission's proposal states that individuals should be able to choose the channel that best suits their needs.
In discussions of the Euro Retail Payments Board, consumer organizations emphasized that an accessible Eurosystem application for all would be essential to ensure universal access to the digital euro. With this design, the ECB aims to create a payment solution that works for everyone and allows Europeans to fully participate in the digital economy.
The digital euro, still in the preparation phase, is shaping up to be a complement to cash and existing electronic payment methods. Accessibility has become a fundamental pillar of its development, aiming to ensure that no person is excluded from the digital payment system due to disability, age, or lack of technological skills. Testing with real users will begin in 2027, and the application is expected to be widely available once the digital euro becomes a reality.
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