Germany's Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) puts the European Accessibility Act into German law. It covers online shops and websites where consumers conclude contracts, from 28 June 2025.
High exposure for private websites. Authorities can order fixes and fine, and competitors and associations can send formal warnings under unfair competition law.
Quick answers
Does website accessibility law apply to my business in Germany?
Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) (BGBl. I 2021) applies to: Businesses selling covered products or services to consumers, including e-commerce. Microenterprises (fewer than 10 staff and turnover or balance sheet of EUR 2 million or less) are exempt for services.
What accessibility standard must a website meet in Germany?
Accessibility requirements of the European Accessibility Act; the harmonised standard EN 301 549 maps to WCAG 2.1 AA for web content.
How is website accessibility enforced in Germany?
A joint market surveillance authority of the federal states (MLBF), acting on its own checks or on complaints. Competitors and associations may also send formal warnings (Abmahnungen) under unfair competition law.
What are the penalties for an inaccessible website in Germany?
Fines of up to EUR 100,000, and orders to stop offering a non-conforming service.
Businesses selling covered products or services to consumers, including e-commerce. Microenterprises (fewer than 10 staff and turnover or balance sheet of EUR 2 million or less) are exempt for services.
Standard
Accessibility requirements of the European Accessibility Act; the harmonised standard EN 301 549 maps to WCAG 2.1 AA for web content.
Enforcement
A joint market surveillance authority of the federal states (MLBF), acting on its own checks or on complaints. Competitors and associations may also send formal warnings (Abmahnungen) under unfair competition law.
What it can cost
Fines of up to EUR 100,000, and orders to stop offering a non-conforming service.
Key dates
Applies from 28 June 2025. Services already offered on that date may continue using products already in use until 28 June 2030.
Impact on your website
An online shop or a site where consumers can conclude a contract online must meet the accessibility requirements and publish information on how the service meets them.
What it means for your website
E-commerce is explicitly covered.
Formal warnings from competitors are a practical risk in Germany.
Publish the required information on how your service meets the requirements.
How Jralo helps in Germany
Daily checks against WCAG 2.2 A and AA with axe-core, the same rules EN 301 549 points to for web content. Automated testing finds many, not all, problems.
A dated, independently timestamped record of what was checked and fixed, ready if a regulator, customer or court asks.
Website Mechanic fixes problems in your code and opens a pull request for you to review.
General information, checked 9 October 2026. Not legal advice. Laws, guidance and enforcement change; speak to a qualified lawyer about your situation.