The verdict in three sentences
Bringing an institutional website into WCAG 2.1 AA compliance costs 3,000 to 8,000 EUR for the audit and 10,000 to 30,000 EUR for remediation in 2026 in Amsterdam. For a public-facing organisation, accessibility is not optional: it is a legal obligation whose breach carries risk. Plan for ongoing monitoring so new content stays compliant over time.
Compliance budget, broken down
Compliance is not a graphic refresh: it covers audit, technical remediation and legal documentation. Here are the 2026 ranges for Amsterdam.
| Item | Scope | 2026 cost (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility audit | WCAG 2.1 AA checklist | 3,000 - 8,000 |
| Technical remediation | Code and component fixes | 6,000 - 20,000 |
| Content remediation | Alt text, structure, contrast | 2,000 - 8,000 |
| Accessibility statement | Mandatory document | Included - 1,500 |
| Ongoing monitoring | Recurring checks | 200 - 500 /month |
| Legal risk if non-compliant | Possible sanction | To avoid |
The compliance steps, one by one
Accessibility conditions the legality of a public-facing site. Here are the steps and their impact, distinct from any redesign.
| Step | Content | 2026 cost (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Audit | Identify non-conformities | 3,000 - 8,000 |
| Remediation | Fix technical and content issues | 10,000 - 30,000 |
| Statement | Publish accessibility statement | Included - 1,500 |
| Retest | Verify fixes | 1,500 - 4,000 |
| Monitoring | Keep new content compliant | 200 - 500 /month |
Mini case study
Thomas, digital lead at an Amsterdam public organisation, ran an ageing site flagged by users as inaccessible. He commissions an audit (6,000 EUR) and remediation (22,000 EUR). Result: compliance rises from 40% to 95% of WCAG 2.1 AA criteria, an accessibility statement is published, and legal exposure is removed. Ongoing monitoring at 350 EUR/month secures the level over time, for an annual cost of 4,200 EUR far below the cost of litigation.
FAQ
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Is accessibility mandatory for a public organisation?
Yes: public-sector sites must meet WCAG 2.1 AA and publish an accessibility statement. Non-compliance carries legal risk and reputational damage with users.
What is the difference between audit and remediation?
The audit identifies non-conformities (3,000 to 8,000 EUR); remediation fixes them (10,000 to 30,000 EUR). Both are needed: an audit without fixes does not make the site compliant.
Do we need a full redesign to be compliant?
Not always: if the technical base is sound, targeted remediation may suffice. But an old site is often cheaper to rebuild than to fix issue by issue.
How much does ongoing monitoring cost?
Between 200 and 500 EUR/month depending on publishing frequency. Content added after go-live must stay compliant, hence the value of recurring checks.
How long does a compliance project take?
Typically a few weeks to a few months, with audit, remediation and retesting as the longest steps. Running the audit early avoids nasty surprises at the end.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your page volume, current compliance level and deadlines, and we will scope a WCAG 2.1 AA compliance project. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
