By Hilary Stephenson, Managing Director at Nexer Digital
As the June 2025 enforcement date for the European Accessibility Act (EAA) looms, a troubling complacency has taken root across the UK fintech sector. Despite the EAA being one of the most significant pieces of accessibility legislation to emerge from the EU in recent years, many UK-based companies appear to be underestimating its reach, or worse, ignoring it entirely.
This lack of urgency perhaps stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of what the EAA entails, who it applies to, and how deeply it will reshape expectations for digital service delivery across Europe. Yet the consequences of inaction are real, and they are imminent.
EAA compliance is mandatory for UK fintechs operating in the EU
The EAA aims to standardise accessibility requirements across EU member states, ensuring that digital products and services offered within the EU, from ATMs to mobile banking apps, are accessible to all users, regardless of ability.
For UK fintechs still trading with or targeting the EU market, Brexit is not a shield. Geographic location is irrelevant; what matters is market presence. If a company sells or maintains digital services within the EU, it must comply with the Act. The EU digital financial services market is worth more than €300 billion annually, and UK fintechs continue to play a significant role in it. According to Innovate Finance, more than 45% of UK fintechs currently operate within the European Economic Area.
Yet despite this, a survey found that only 27% of UK-based fintechs were aware that their current products fall under the scope of the EAA. In addition, just 11% of organisations feel confident about what they’re doing and think they will be compliant. Many others mistakenly believe the legislation applies only to newly launched services or only affects technical implementation. Both assumptions are incorrect.
Accessibility as a vulnerable customer obligation under Consumer Duty
What’s often overlooked is that accessibility isn’t just a standalone compliance issue, it sits squarely within the wider responsibilities fintechs already have under the FCA’s Consumer Duty and its vulnerable customer strategies. These frameworks require firms to understand and meet the needs of customers who may be living with disability, cognitive or sensory challenges, financial distress, or other vulnerabilities. The EAA builds on these principles, formalising inclusive design as both a regulatory expectation and an ethical imperative. For fintechs, this reframing turns accessibility from a bolt-on requirement into a central part of serving customers fairly and sustainably.
The June 2025 deadline marks the start of enforcement for new digital products and services, not the finish line. Existing systems have until 2030 to comply, but that doesn’t mean there’s time to waste. Starting now, even imperfectly, shows intent, builds internal momentum, and reduces risk. Accessibility is an ongoing responsibility, not a one-off project.
Digital accessibility in Fintech requires more than a quick fix
Compliance with the EAA requires much more than a one-time technical fix. It is a strategic, organisation-wide transformation that must be embedded at every stage of the product or service lifecycle. From procurement and UX design through to content strategy, customer service, and legal compliance, the Act demands a coordinated approach that makes accessibility a foundational principle.
But the industry’s fragmented response so far suggests that accessibility is still widely viewed as an afterthought, or worse, a compliance hurdle to be outsourced to developers at the eleventh hour.
One of the recurring issues is the perception that accessibility simply means ensuring compatibility with screen readers for blind users. While this is an important aspect, the EAA covers a much broader range of needs, including users with cognitive impairments, mobility limitations, auditory challenges, and neurological conditions. This could mean anything from ensuring mobile apps work with voice control and keyboard navigation, to offering alternatives to CAPTCHA-based login systems, or ensuring PDF bank statements are readable by assistive technologies.
Inclusive design for financial services is a competitive advantage
The business case for acting now goes beyond legal obligation. Accessibility failures can result in reputational damage and loss of market share. But perhaps more importantly, inclusive design is simply good design. Services that work well for people with access needs tend to work better for all users. Clarity, consistency, and adaptability are universal benefits.
Also, the cost of retrofitting accessibility into an existing platform is significantly higher than building it in from the outset. Research suggests retrofitting can be up to ten times more expensive than proactive integration. With the 2025 deadline less than a month away, organisations still relying on the “we’ll fix it later” approach are leaving themselves dangerously exposed.
The truth is that accessibility is not just a checkbox to tick, it’s a measure of maturity. It signals whether a fintech has the governance structures, user insight, and strategic foresight to operate sustainably in a global digital economy. It is also increasingly a marker of brand integrity. Consumers are beginning to expect, if not demand, that their banks, payment platforms, and financial services work for everyone, regardless of their situation.
How fintechs can prepare for the EAA deadline
What, then, should fintechs be doing now? The first step is education. Boards and leadership teams need to understand the implications of the EAA from a legal standpoint, but also a reputational and operational one. Accessibility needs a seat at the table – aligned to vulnerable customer strategy and Consumer Duty.
Secondly, businesses should be conducting thorough audits of their current digital estate. This means testing not just websites, but apps, customer portals, support channels, and any third-party integrations. These audits should involve real users with lived experience and access needs. Automated tools can only go so far, and manual testing often reveals barriers that software simply cannot detect.
Thirdly, accessibility must be embedded in procurement processes. Many fintechs rely on external suppliers for critical parts of their digital infrastructure, from onboarding tools to authentication systems. If these suppliers are not compliant, then neither are you.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, fintechs must reframe accessibility from a compliance problem to a value proposition. At a time when trust in financial institutions is under constant scrutiny, accessibility offers a powerful lever for differentiation. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate empathy, foresight, and commitment. It’s also a chance to serve a demographic that is too often excluded, one that represents over 135 million people across the EU living with some form of disability.
Digital accessibility compliance
The EAA offers a chance for fintechs to build better products, strengthen customer relationships, and lead the sector by example.
Fintech firms that act now will be far better placed to meet regulatory demands, manage risk, and create more inclusive financial futures for their customers. The question is no longer whether accessibility matters, it’s whether businesses are willing to take the steps needed to get it right now.
