Accessibility legislation: Portugal
Decree-Law No. 82/2022, of December 6, which transposes Directive (EU) 2019/882 on accessibility requirements for products and services, corrected by Rectification Statement No. 5/2023, of February 2, has been put in motion in June, 2025, mandating digital accessibility for people with disabilities in Portugal. It is overseen by the Agency for Administrative Modernization and the latest amendments to this decree were made on October 19, 2018.
Scope of application
Decree-Law No. 82/2022, requires that a broad range of digital products and consumer-facing services meet specific accessibility requirements to ensure equal access for people with disabilities. This includes:
- General-purpose consumer computer hardware and their operating systems
- Self-service terminals such as ATMs, ticket vending machines, check-in kiosks, and other interactive devices (excluding those integrated into transport vehicles)
- Interactive terminals for electronic communications and audiovisual media services, including smart TVs, routers, and media decoders
- Telecommunications and audiovisual access services, including mobile apps and set-top box software
- Banking and financial services, including payment services, online banking, and digital credit platforms
- E-books and dedicated reading software
- E-commerce services, including online shopping platforms and digital marketplaces
- Emergency communication services via the EU-wide 112 number
These requirements are designed to harmonize accessibility standards across the EU, ensure barrier-free access to essential services, and support independent living for individuals with disabilities. The law also establishes compliance obligations for manufacturers, service providers, importers, and distributors involved in the delivery or sale of these products and services in Portugal.
Exceptions
Public service broadcasting companies are required to ensure that all content preceding certain dates, live multimedia broadcasts, and navigational maps with essential information are presented in accessible forms. However, there are exceptions to this requirement. Content such as third-party materials not controlled by these entities, heritage collections where accessibility may compromise preservation efforts or where text extraction is not feasible, and content on extranet and intranet or archived websites that have not been updated since September 23, 2019, are exempt from these accessibility mandates. This approach balances the need for accessibility with practical constraints and preservation of cultural heritage.
Fines and penalties
In Portugal, non-compliance with digital accessibility regulations incurs substantial fines depending on the severity of the offense. Violations under Decree-Law No. 82/2022 are classified as minor, serious, or very serious administrative offenses. For serious administrative violations, individuals face penalties ranging from €650 to €1,500, while companies may be fined between €12,000 and €24,000. Very serious offenses result in steeper fines, with individuals subject to penalties of €2,000 to €3,740, and companies liable for €24,000 to €44,891. Additional sanctions may apply, including the public disclosure of sentencing decisions in national newspapers, further emphasizing the importance of adherence to accessibility requirements.
Reporting
Portugal follows the EU-wide mandate for accessibility statements on public sector websites and digital services. These statements are essential for maintaining transparency and accountability.
This statement must be publicly available on their websites and provide clear information on the accessibility status of their digital services, such as whether they meet the required standards or outline existing accessibility issues. The statement should also detail the measures taken to improve accessibility, including any ongoing efforts or plans for remediation. Additionally, the accessibility statement must specify how users can report accessibility problems and request assistance, ensuring that organizations remain accountable and transparent in their commitment to accessible digital experiences.
If users encounter accessibility barriers or wish to submit a complaint regarding non-compliance, they may contact the competent authority, the National Institute for the Rehabilitation, Public Agency. Complaints can be submitted via:
Email: inr@inr.mtsss.pt
Phone number: +351 21 792 95 00
Official website: https://www.inr.pt/
Address: Av. Count of Valbom, 63. 1069-178 Lisbon
Compliance with the Decree-Law No. 82/2022, of December 6 requires a clear Accessibility Statement. Not sure where to start? Use our Free Accessibility Statement Generator to create one in minutes.
For the latest and most accurate information on digital accessibility requirements, refer to the following resources: