PIPELINEGuide
Accessible Website: Using Funding in Austria
For digitalization projects like an accessible website, several funding schemes are available in Austria. Which ones are eligible, which deadlines to note, and where the most common mistake lies.
Several funding schemes are available in Austria for digitalization projects, such as KMU.DIGITAL or the aws digitalization funding. Whether and to what extent one of these currently applies to your project, we check individually with you. Current conditions: kmudigital.at, aws.at. The order is crucial in every case: first the approved application, then the contract for the accessible website.
01 — Funding
Subsidies in Austria
For digitalization projects, there are several funding programs in Austria, such as KMU.DIGITAL or the aws digitalization funding. Whether and to what extent one of these is currently relevant for your project, we'll review with you individually. Current conditions: kmudigital.at, aws.at.
Which program is relevant, how high the subsidy currently is, and whether the budget for the current funding period is still open changes regularly — plus there are regional funding programs that vary by federal state. Only the information from the funding agencies themselves is reliable, not a fixed percentage stated here.
The most common mistake is always the same: commission first, then want funding. That doesn't work. Allow several weeks of lead time for application and approval.
02 — Price
What it costs
- Price
- Individual based on effort
- Typical duration
- 3 to 6 weeks
Review and report; remediation depending on findings. A fixed price can only be quoted seriously after the initial consultation — write us briefly about your project, and we'll send a proposal that fits the scope and effort.
03 — Process
How a funding application works
Check funding program
Which program fits the project and company size. This determines the subsidy amount and effort.
Obtain quote
A quote is usually required for the application — commissioning does not happen yet.
Submit application
Submission with project description, cost breakdown and schedule.
Wait for approval
Only after approval is the commission placed. If you commission earlier, you lose the funding.
Implement and settle accounts
After completion, final accounting with supporting documents follows.
04 — Questions
Frequently asked questions
Are we affected by the Barrierefreiheitsgesetz?
The Austrian Accessibility Act has been in force since June 28, 2025, and primarily applies to online services in the consumer sector: online shops, bookings, e-ticketing, banking services. Microenterprises with fewer than ten employees and less than two million euros in revenue are exempt for services — but not for the sale of products. A purely informational site without sales is generally not covered.
Is an accessibility overlay sufficient?
No. These overlays do not fix the underlying problems and are largely rejected by disability advocacy groups. They can even create additional barriers. Accessibility is created in the markup, not in a layer on top.
Does this also apply to PDF documents on the website?
Yes, if they contain essential information — such as price lists or downloadable forms. PDFs must also be structured with alternative texts.
What is the most common error?
Forms without linked labels and controls that cannot be reached with the keyboard. Both go unnoticed by anyone working with a mouse — and make the site unusable for others.
What happens in case of violations?
The Sozialministeriumservice is responsible. Administrative penalties of up to 80,000 euros are provided for. In the initial phase, the focus was mainly on advice rather than penalties, but that's no guarantee for the future — proceedings are already underway.
Can we implement this step by step?
Yes, by priority: first the defects that completely block usage, then those that make it difficult. This can be spread across several stages without taking the site offline in the meantime.
How much work is involved for an existing site?
It varies widely. A well-built site often only needs contrast corrections, alternative texts, and focus indicators. A site with custom-built controls without keyboard support can be more work than building from scratch.
05 — Next
Related pages
- Accessible Website — Overview
- Accessible Website — How It Works
- Accessible Website — Status 2026
- Accessible Website — Ongoing Operations
- Accessible Website — Alternatives
- Accessible Website — Costs
- Accessible Website — Team and Adoption
- Accessible Website — Duration
- Have a website created
- Web design
- Website relaunch
- All guides
Accessible Website by Region
Next step
We'll look at your starting position.
Tell us what's eating up time today. That becomes an assessment with effort and benefit — and only then an offer.