Accessible website: what the BFSG means for companies.
Since 28 June 2025, digital accessibility is mandatory for many companies. Who is affected, what WCAG 2.1 AA concretely means - and why it pays off even without an obligation.
Since 28 June 2025, the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) applies in Germany. It implements the European Accessibility Act and makes digital accessibility mandatory for many companies - with fines for violations.
Many are unsure: does this affect me? What exactly do I have to do? This article explains who is affected, what accessibility means technically, and why it pays off even where it is not strictly required.
Key takeaways
- The BFSG applies since 28 June 2025 and implements the European Accessibility Act in Germany.
- Affected are mainly consumer-facing (B2C) services: online shops, banking, booking, software, certain products.
- The standard is essentially WCAG 2.1 Level AA; an accessibility statement is expected.
- Micro-enterprises (under 10 employees and ≤ €2M annual turnover) providing services are exempt.
- Violations can incur fines of up to €100,000.
What is the BFSG?
The Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz obliges manufacturers, dealers, and service providers to design certain products and digital services so that people with disabilities can use them on an equal basis. The background is the European Accessibility Act, which harmonizes accessibility across the EU.
The core for websites: content, navigation, and functionality must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust - the four basic principles of the international WCAG guideline.
Who is affected - and who is not?
The focus is on consumer-facing offerings: online shops and e-commerce, banking and payment services, booking and ticketing systems, telecommunications, e-books, and certain hardware and software. Anyone serving consumers digitally should assume an obligation.
Pure B2B offerings without a consumer relationship often do not fall strictly under it - but the distinction is not always clear-cut in individual cases, for example when a company site contains a shop, a booking tool, or a login for end customers. When in doubt, a legal review of the specific case is worthwhile.
Exemption for micro-enterprises
Micro-enterprises with fewer than ten employees and at most €2M annual turnover that offer services are exempt from the BFSG. Note: those placing products on the market may still be obliged. Micro-enterprises are advised free of charge by the Bundesfachstelle Barrierefreiheit.
What accessible concretely means
Accessibility per WCAG 2.1 AA is more tangible than many think. The most important building blocks:
- Sufficient color contrast between text and background.
- Full operability via keyboard, not just mouse.
- Meaningful alt text for images and labeled form fields.
- A clear, logical heading structure and screen-reader readability.
- Understandable language, visible focus, and no color-only cues.
Why it pays off even without an obligation
Even if your offering does not fall strictly under the BFSG: accessibility expands your reach (about one in ten people has an impairment), improves usability for everyone, and pays directly into SEO - clean structure, good contrast, alt text, and clear semantics are the same signals search engines and AI answer engines prefer. Built accessibly almost always means built better.
Frequently asked questions
Not legal advice
This article gives a general overview and does not replace legal advice. Whether and to what extent the BFSG applies to you depends on the specific case - have it reviewed by a lawyer when in doubt. We are happy to support the technical implementation of accessibility.
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