Portugal Accessibility Legislation: Scope, Fines & Reporting

Portugal regulates digital accessibility through Decree-Law No. 82/2022, of December 6, which transposes Directive (EU) 2019/882 on accessibility requirements for products and services and was corrected by Rectification Statement No. 5/2023, of February 2. It has been put in motion in June 2025, mandating digital accessibility for people with disabilities in Portugal. The latest amendments on record were made on 19 October 2018.

The decree is overseen by the Agency for Administrative Modernization.

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:

• Third-party materials not controlled by these entities
• Heritage collections where accessibility may compromise preservation efforts, or where text extraction is not feasible
• Content on extranet and intranet or archived websites that have not been updated since 23 September 2019

This approach balances the need for accessibility with practical constraints and the 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.

• 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 — individuals are subject to penalties of €2,000 to €3,740, and companies are liable for €24,000 to €44,891.
• Additional sanctions may apply, including the public disclosure of sentencing decisions in national newspapers.

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.

The statement must be publicly available on the organisation’s website and must:

• Provide clear information on the accessibility status of the digital services — whether they meet the required standards, or an outline of existing accessibility issues.
• Detail the measures taken to improve accessibility, including any ongoing efforts or plans for remediation.
• Specify how users can report accessibility problems and request assistance.

Together these keep organisations accountable and transparent in their commitment to accessible digital experiences.

Complaints

Users who encounter accessibility barriers, or who wish to submit a complaint about non-compliance, can contact the competent authority — the National Institute for the Rehabilitation, Public Agency:

• Email: inr@inr.mtsss.pt
• Website: inr.pt

Getting compliant with QualiBooth

Compliance with Decree-Law No. 82/2022, of December 6 requires a clear accessibility statement — and evidence that your products and services actually conform.

QualiBooth scans continuously against WCAG success criteria, so a barrier never sits long enough to turn into an administrative offense, and manual audits by people with disabilities cover what automation cannot. When it is time to publish, our accessibility statement generator produces a statement with the accessibility status, remediation plans and feedback route the law requires.

For the latest and most accurate information on Portuguese digital accessibility requirements, refer to the official documentation published by the Portuguese government.