European Accessibility Act Compliance in Germany (BFSG)
The European Accessibility Act is transposed into German law as the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG), which has been in force since 28 June 2025. It requires private-sector businesses selling covered products and services in Germany (including e-commerce, banking, e-books, transport, and telecoms) to meet defined accessibility requirements and to publish accessibility information.
Scan your site free- National law
- Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG), enacted 16 July 2021 and in force since 28 June 2025
- Web standard
- EN 301 549, which references the WCAG success criteria
- Enforcement
- Marktüberwachungsstelle der Länder für die Barrierefreiheit von Produkten und Dienstleistungen (MLBF), based in Magdeburg
Who has to comply in Germany
The BFSG applies to businesses offering covered products and services to consumers in Germany, including e-commerce, consumer banking, e-books, passenger transport, and telecommunications. Micro-enterprises that provide services are exempt: fewer than 10 staff, and annual turnover or annual balance sheet total of no more than EUR 2 million. Reach 10 staff, or exceed both financial limits, and the obligations apply. Covered businesses must publish accessibility information in line with § 14 BFSG and Anlage 3 BFSG.
The deadlines that matter
BFSG enacted
BFSG enters into force: products placed on the market and services, including services that already existed, must comply
European Commission sends Germany an additional reasoned opinion, INFR(2022)0295, holding that transposition is still incomplete
End of the § 38 BFSG transition for products already used to provide a service before 28 June 2025, and last date for service contracts agreed before then
The law in Germany
National law
Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG), enacted 16 July 2021 and in force since 28 June 2025, together with its implementing ordinance, the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz-Verordnung (BFSGV). Businesses must publish accessibility information as set out in § 14 BFSG and Anlage 3 BFSG. The European Commission sent Germany a reasoned opinion in July 2024 and, on 11 March 2026, an additional reasoned opinion, INFR(2022)0295, holding that transposition gaps remain. (Note: this private-sector regime is separate from the public-sector obligations under the BGG and BITV 2.0.)
Web standard
EN 301 549, which references the WCAG success criteria. Conforma scans against WCAG 2.2 AA / EN 301 549. (BITV 2.0 is the separate standard that applies to public-sector bodies under the BGG, not to private businesses under the BFSG.)
Enforcement
Market surveillance is carried out by the Marktüberwachungsstelle der Länder für die Barrierefreiheit von Produkten und Dienstleistungen (MLBF), based in Magdeburg. Consumers may also bring complaints to the Schlichtungsstelle nach dem Behindertengleichstellungsgesetz (Schlichtungsstelle BGG) under §34 BFSG.
How Conforma helps in Germany
Conforma scans your site against WCAG 2.2 AA / EN 301 549 and drafts the accessibility information that § 14 BFSG and Anlage 3 BFSG require, which you complete with a description of your service. You get a German accessibility statement and a dated compliance record you can reference if the MLBF or a Schlichtungsstelle BGG complaint reaches you.
Germany EAA questions, answered
When does the BFSG apply and is there a transition period?
The BFSG has applied since 28 June 2025, to existing services as well as new ones, so an existing webshop has had to comply since that date. § 38 BFSG lets a provider keep using products it already used lawfully before 28 June 2025 until 27 June 2030, and lets service contracts agreed before 28 June 2025 run unchanged until they expire, at the latest until 27 June 2030. Self-service terminals already in use may stay to the end of their economic life, for at most 15 years from when they were put into use.
Is my small business exempt from the BFSG?
Micro-enterprises that provide services are exempt: fewer than 10 staff, and annual turnover or annual balance sheet total of no more than EUR 2 million. Reach 10 staff, or exceed both financial limits, and the obligations apply.
Which accessibility standard does my website need to meet?
Compliance is assessed against EN 301 549, which references the WCAG success criteria (Conforma scans to WCAG 2.2 AA / EN 301 549). BITV 2.0, with its Leichte Sprache and Deutsche Gebärdensprache requirements, is a separate public-sector standard under the BGG and does not apply to private businesses under the BFSG.
Who enforces the BFSG and what accessibility information must I publish?
Enforcement is handled by the Marktüberwachungsstelle der Länder für die Barrierefreiheit von Produkten und Dienstleistungen (MLBF) in Magdeburg, and consumers can escalate complaints to the Schlichtungsstelle BGG under §34 BFSG. Covered businesses must publish accessibility information in line with § 14 BFSG and Anlage 3 BFSG.
This page is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Check the cited national law for specifics.
Common fixes to check
Most sites fail the same WCAG checks first. Each guide has a plain-language fix and a before/after snippet you can copy.
The same Act, elsewhere in the EU
The Act is one directive, and each member state has transposed it into its own national law. Each of our 27 country pages names the statute and the body that enforces it, with the dates that apply there.
Also worth reading: what the first EAA court ruling decided, the free accessibility statement generator and the colour contrast checker.
See where your site stands in seconds
A free scan against WCAG 2.2 AA, a plain-language fix for every issue, and a Germany-specific accessibility statement when you need one.