An accessible website – mandatory for many businesses since 2025.
Germany's Accessibility Reinforcement Act (BFSG), implementing the European Accessibility Act, applies since 28 June 2025. If you run an online shop, a booking or banking feature for consumers, your digital offering must be accessible. We audit your site, make it WCAG 2.1 AA compliant – legally safe and usable for everyone.
Germany's Accessibility Reinforcement Act (BFSG) transposes the EU's European Accessibility Act (EAA, Directive 2019/882) into national law. Since 28 June 2025, certain products and services aimed at consumers must be digitally accessible – measured against WCAG 2.1 Level AA and the harmonised standard EN 301 549.
Accessibility means people with visual, hearing, motor or cognitive impairments can use your website or app independently – with a keyboard, screen reader or magnified view. This is not a niche topic: around one in ten people in Germany rely on accessible offerings, and an accessible site is also faster, easier to find (SEO/AEO) and more pleasant for everyone.
Are you affected?
The BFSG targets products and services aimed at consumers (B2C). Broadly, there are four cases:
Clearly in scope
Online shops, banking/payment services, telecommunications, passenger transport with booking/ticketing, e-books – must be made accessible from 28 June 2025.
Hardware, no exemption
If you offer physical products like computers, smartphones, payment or self-service terminals, you're affected – the micro-enterprise exemption does not apply here.
Grey area
Mixed offerings, pure info sites or services close to the categories. A precise assessment pays off – when in doubt, building accessibly is cheaper than being warned off.
Micro-enterprise / pure B2B
Service providers with fewer than 10 staff AND at most €2m annual turnover are exempt for services. Pure B2B offerings usually fall outside the BFSG.
Deadlines at a glance
As of: June 2026- 28 June 2025
BFSG in force
New consumer products and services must meet the accessibility requirements. Market surveillance by the federal states begins.
- from 2025 onwards
Market surveillance & warnings
Authorities act on complaints; competitors and associations issue warnings. Violations can lead to orders, a ban on the offering and fines up to €100,000.
- until 28 June 2030
Transition periods
Staggered transition periods apply to certain existing contracts and self-service terminals. They shift the effort – they don't remove the duty.
What's technically required (WCAG 2.1 AA)
The benchmark is WCAG 2.1 Level AA / EN 301 549. The key building blocks in practice:
- Full keyboard operability – everything reachable and usable without a mouse, visible focus
- Screen-reader support – semantic HTML, meaningful headings, ARIA only where needed
- Sufficient colour contrast (at least 4.5:1 for text) and text scalable to 200%
- Text alternatives for images, icons and graphics; captions/transcripts for media
- Forms with real labels, clear error messages and help text
- Plain language, consistent navigation, no motion or time traps
- An accessibility statement with conformance status and a feedback option
How we make you compliant
Audit
Automated testing (axe-core) plus manual checks with keyboard and screen reader. You get a clear defect report – prioritised by effort and impact.
Implementation
We fix the findings directly in the code: semantics, focus, contrast, forms, components. For legacy systems we tell you honestly what's worth fixing – and what should be rebuilt.
Proof
Re-testing, conformance documentation and a legally sound accessibility statement. That protects you against authorities and warning letters.
Stay on track
Accessibility isn't a one-off. We embed checks in your workflow so new content and features stay compliant.
Four short questions – then you'll know whether your online offering likely falls under the BFSG and what comes next. No sign-up, no legal advice – a first orientation.
Does your online offering target consumers (B2C) as well?
Action needed – you likely fall under the BFSG
Your offering targets consumers, sits in a BFSG category and you're not an exempt micro-enterprise (or you offer products). Your website/app must meet WCAG 2.1 AA.
Likely exempt – as a micro-enterprise providing services
Under 10 staff AND at most €2m turnover: for pure services, the micro-enterprise exemption applies. Even so, accessibility is a real competitive and SEO advantage.
Grey area – worth a closer look
Your offering isn't clearly in a BFSG category. Whether you're affected depends on the exact functionality. A short assessment brings clarity.
Probably not directly affected – pure B2B
If your offering targets businesses only, it usually falls outside the BFSG. Exceptions are possible – and accessibility still improves reach and UX.
Orientation only, not legal advice. The final assessment depends on your specific case – we're happy to check it with you.
The key WCAG 2.1 AA points as a compact checklist – free as a PDF.
FAQ
What exactly is the BFSG?
The Accessibility Reinforcement Act transposes the European Accessibility Act (EU Directive 2019/882) into German law. It requires providers of certain consumer products and services to make their digital offerings accessible – since 28 June 2025.
Which companies are affected?
Mainly B2C providers in categories such as online shops, banking, telecommunications, passenger-transport booking, e-books and certain devices. Micro-enterprises (under 10 staff AND at most €2m annual turnover) are exempt for services – for products this exemption does not apply.
Which standard applies?
The benchmark is WCAG 2.1 Level AA / the harmonised European standard EN 301 549. Meeting it counts as accessible under the law.
What happens if you don't comply?
The state authorities carry out market surveillance and can order fixes or ban the offering. Fines up to €100,000 are possible. On top of that, competitors and associations issue warning letters – the first waves are already underway.
How long does implementation take?
It depends on the size and state of the site. An audit gives clarity within a few days; many fixes (contrast, keyboard, forms) are quick. For very old systems, a targeted relaunch can beat endless patching.
Beyond legal safety, does accessibility help?
Yes, considerably. Accessible sites are technically cleaner, faster and more readable for search and AI answer engines (SEO/AEO). You reach more people, lower bounce rates and improve conversion – duty and advantage in one.
Make your site legally safe and usable for everyone.
We audit your offering, tell you honestly what to do, and implement it – including proof and an accessibility statement.
Book an intro call