EAA in Germany
Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) compliance
Germany has implemented the European Accessibility Act through the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG). German businesses must ensure their digital services are accessible.
German Implementation
The Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz
BFSG Overview
The Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (Accessibility Strengthening Act) is Germany's national implementation of the European Accessibility Act. It came into force on 28 June 2025 and applies to products and services placed on the German market.
The BFSG builds upon existing German accessibility legislation, including the Behindertengleichstellungsgesetz (BGG) for public sector websites, and extends requirements to the private sector.
Scope in Germany
German businesses must comply if they provide:
- E-commerce services (Online-Shops, Webshops)
- Banking services (Online-Banking, payment services)
- Transport services (Deutsche Bahn, public transport)
- Telecommunications (Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, O2, etc.)
- Audiovisual media services (ARD, ZDF, streaming platforms)
Microenterprise exemption
Note: The BFSG includes an exemption for Kleinstunternehmen (microenterprises) with fewer than 10 employees and annual turnover under €2 million for services. However, many businesses exceed these thresholds and must comply.
Enforcement
German enforcement authorities
Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin (BAuA)
The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is designated as the market surveillance authority for BFSG compliance.
Landesbehörden
State-level authorities (Länder) may also be involved in enforcement for certain services within their jurisdiction.
Penalties under the BFSG
The BFSG includes significant penalties for non-compliance:
€100,000
Maximum fine for serious violations
Vertriebsverbot
Sales prohibition for non-compliant services
Rückruf
Mandatory service withdrawal
Important: Fines can be issued for each individual violation. A single website with multiple accessibility issues could result in substantial cumulative penalties.
Technical Requirements
What German websites must meet
WCAG 2.1 Level AA / EN 301 549
The BFSG references the European harmonised standard EN 301 549, which incorporates WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the technical baseline for web accessibility.
This means German websites must meet all WCAG 2.1 Level A and Level AA success criteria to be compliant with the law.
What You Get
Comprehensive accessibility report
See exactly what's included in your accessibility audit report.
Issues Found
Export to PDF
Professional report for stakeholders and management.
Export to Excel
Action items checklist for your development team.
Unlimited Rescans
Verify your fixes with free rescans for 1 year.
Jetzt starten
Prüfen Sie Ihren Compliance-Status
€79
Einmalige Zahlung
- Vollständiger WCAG 2.1 Level AA Scan
- Detaillierte Behebungsanweisungen
- PDF & Excel Export
- 1 Jahr unbegrenzte Rescans
BFSG-Compliance sicherstellen
Prüfen Sie Ihre Website auf Barrierefreiheit. Ergebnis in Minuten.