The European Central Bank (ECB) said its planned digital euro app will go beyond the accessibility requirements set by the European Union, making basic digital euro services easier to use for a wider range of people.
The proposed app design includes features such as improved visual layouts, full keyboard navigation, screen-reader support, time-out alerts, simplified language, error prevention tools and reduced motion settings, the ECB said in a Thursday announcement.
The ECB first introduced the idea of a standalone digital euro app in an October 2025 progress report. The app would act as a backup option if bank apps become unavailable and allow users to switch payment providers without having to learn a new system. However, banks and other payment providers have previously opposed making support for the standalone app mandatory.
The digital euro is the European Union’s planned central bank digital currency (CBDC), designed to complement cash and provide a public digital payment option across the euro area.
On July 14, the ECB selected 36 payment service providers for a 12-month pilot program expected to begin in the second half of 2027. The pilot will test the system before the ECB makes a final decision on issuing the digital euro.
The project has faced criticism from privacy advocates and some lawmakers, who worry a CBDC could increase government oversight of payments. The ECB has said the digital euro will include strong privacy protections and safeguards for users.
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