Key facts
- The European Central Bank's planned digital euro app will exceed the accessibility requirements of the European Accessibility Act.
- The app's design features include enhanced visual design, full keyboard navigation, screen-reader support, time-out warnings, simplified language, error prevention, and reduced motion settings.
- The ECB selected 36 payment service providers for a 12-month pilot program.
- The pilot program is scheduled to commence in the second half of 2027.
The European Central Bank (ECB) announced on Thursday that its forthcoming digital euro application is designed to surpass the accessibility standards mandated by the European Accessibility Act. The proposed features for the app include advanced visual design, complete keyboard navigation, support for screen readers, alerts for time-outs, simplified language, mechanisms for error prevention, and settings to reduce motion.
The ECB had previously outlined the concept of a standalone digital euro app in an October 2025 progress report. At that time, it was suggested that the app would function as a backup should bank applications fail and would enable users to switch between payment service providers without needing to learn a new interface. The report also noted that both bank and non-bank payment service providers had expressed opposition to mandatory support for this standalone application.