Do websites have to be accessible? The duty since 28 June 2025
Since 28 June 2025 Germany's accessibility act (BFSG) has been in force. It requires many businesses to make their digital offerings accessible. Here is the overview without legalese: who the duty applies to, which exemptions exist and where to start.
Who the duty applies to
The law covers products and services aimed at consumers. On the web this mainly concerns e-commerce: whoever sells online, offers appointments with contract conclusion or takes bookings is usually covered. An online shop almost always is.
A plain business-card website without ordering or booking is often not directly covered. Accessibility is still worth it: about one in ten visitors benefits directly, and your site becomes more comfortable for everyone.
The microenterprise exemption
Microenterprises offering services are exempt: fewer than 10 employees and at most 2 million euros in annual turnover or balance sheet total. Note that the exemption applies to services, not to manufacturers of products. Whether it applies to you is best clarified with your tax advisor or lawyer.
What is actually required
The requirements follow the European standards for digital accessibility (EN 301 549, building on the WCAG guidelines). In practice that means, for example: sufficient contrast, keyboard operability, alternative texts for images, labelled forms and understandable language.
On top of that comes the accessibility statement: a document on your website that describes the state of things honestly and names a contact channel for feedback.
What happens if nothing happens
Market surveillance authorities can object to defects and require fixes. More important than the authority, though, is everyday life: a site with barriers loses visitors who would have liked to buy. Both are reasons to approach the topic in an orderly way rather than in panic.
How to find out where your website stands
Our free quick test checks your home page in under a minute directly in the browser and puts every finding into honest context: what the free widget covers right away, what has to be fixed in the code and what only a human can judge.
Frequent questions
Does the duty apply to my small trade business website?
If your site only informs and offers contact details, usually not directly. As soon as customers can book or buy online, things change. When in doubt, a quick check with your tax advisor or lawyer helps.
Is a widget enough to meet the duty?
No, and whoever promises that is not telling the truth. A widget like Accessify gives your visitors helpful controls right away. For solid accessibility, errors in the code still have to be fixed, and the accessibility statement is part of it as well.
Since when does all this apply?
The law came into force on 28 June 2025. It implements a European directive, the European Accessibility Act, which is why similar rules apply across the EU.
This page explains the situation in general terms and does not replace legal advice.