Germany Web Accessibility (BFSG, BGG and BITV 2.0)
Germany regulates digital accessibility on two tracks. Public-sector websites and apps have long been covered by the Disability Equality Act (BGG) and the BITV 2.0 ordinance, which apply EN 301 549 - effectively WCAG 2.1 Level AA - plus a published accessibility statement. Since June 28, 2025, the Barrierefreiheitsstaerkungsgesetz (BFSG), Germany's implementation of the European Accessibility Act, extends binding accessibility duties to the PRIVATE sector: e-commerce, banking, transport booking, e-books and other consumer-facing digital services must be accessible, with market-surveillance authorities empowered to order withdrawal of non-conforming services and impose fines up to EUR 100,000.
What is Germany BFSG / BITV 2.0?
German web accessibility law combines the Behindertengleichstellungsgesetz (BGG - Disability Equality Act) and the Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung (BITV 2.0) for federal public bodies - with state-level equivalents for Laender and municipal bodies - and, since June 2025, the Barrierefreiheitsstaerkungsgesetz (BFSG) for private-sector products and services under the European Accessibility Act. The technical benchmark across both tracks is EN 301 549, which for web content applies the WCAG success criteria at Level AA. Public bodies must also publish accessibility statements with a feedback mechanism and are monitored by BFIT-Bund; private services under the BFSG must document conformance and are supervised by the market-surveillance authorities of the federal states.
Who must comply?
Public track: federal, state and municipal public bodies, for websites, intranets, mobile apps and electronic administration. Private track (BFSG, since June 28, 2025): businesses providing covered consumer services in Germany - e-commerce of any sector, consumer banking, passenger transport interfaces, e-books and reading software, telecommunications and media access services - regardless of where the company is established. A microenterprise exemption applies to service providers with fewer than 10 employees and at most EUR 2 million annual turnover; sellers outside the EU are covered when they direct services at German consumers.
Key requirements
- Meet EN 301 549 for web content and apps - in practice the WCAG Level AA success criteria (WCAG 2.1 today, with the standard's next revision tracking newer WCAG work).
- Public bodies: publish and maintain an accessibility statement per site and app, including a feedback channel and enforcement-route information.
- BFSG services: ensure the covered service (including its website, app, checkout and documents) is perceivable, operable, understandable and robust, and document how conformance is achieved.
- Respond to accessibility complaints; under the BFSG, consumers and associations can escalate to market-surveillance authorities.
- Keep conformance evidence current - the burden of demonstrating accessibility sits with the provider when an authority asks.
Key dates & deadlines
Penalties & enforcement
Under the BFSG, market-surveillance authorities can require corrective measures, restrict or prohibit the provision of a non-conforming service, and impose administrative fines of up to EUR 100,000 for violations of key obligations. Public-sector bodies face supervision by monitoring bodies and administrative enforcement, and individuals can pursue claims under equality law. Consumer and disability associations have standing to bring proceedings under the BFSG.
How Germany BFSG / BITV 2.0 relates to WCAG
Both German tracks reference EN 301 549, whose web chapters incorporate the WCAG success criteria at Level AA - currently WCAG 2.1. The updated EN 301 549 revision expected to be cited in the EU Official Journal will track newer WCAG work, so building and testing to WCAG 2.2 AA is the practical way to satisfy BITV 2.0 and BFSG duties and stay ahead of the standard's refresh.
How EqualWeb helps you meet Germany BFSG / BITV 2.0
EqualWeb prepares German-market sites for BFSG and BITV duties end to end: EN 301 549 / WCAG AA auditing, AI plus certified-expert remediation, accessible PDFs for statements and contracts, monitoring that keeps conformance current, and the documentation an authority or procurement team asks for first.
Germany BFSG / BITV 2.0 - frequently asked questions
What is the BFSG and when did it take effect?
Which standard do German authorities expect - BITV or WCAG?
Does the BFSG apply to non-German companies?
What fines are possible under German accessibility law?
Related standards & laws
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