The German Accessibility Improvement Act (BFSG) will come into force on June 28, 2025 – and many companies are not yet prepared. Those who do not have an accessible B2C website or app by then risk fines of up to 100,000 euros.
The good news is that with a clear roadmap and government funding, the obligation can be fulfilled in good time.
What is the BFSG - and who does it affect?
The Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) regulates digital accessibility for private companies. It obliges them to make their digital services accessible without barriers. This affects the following in particular:
Online stores
Booking and comparison portals
Banking and insurance websites
Apps for consumers
Small and medium-sized enterprises are also covered if they offer digital products or services to end customers.
Exceptions - when does the BFSG not apply?
Microenterprises with fewer than ten employees and a maximum annual turnover of € 2 million, provided they exclusively offer services (Section 3 (3) BFSG).
Pure B2B offers that are not aimed at consumers.
Private, non-commercial websites or apps without the intention of making a profit.
Intranets/extranets that were published before June 28, 2025 and have not been fundamentally revised since then.
Archived content (e.g. PDFs, videos) that is no longer actively used for customer interaction.
Cases in which accessibility would demonstrably represent a disproportionate burden; this must be justified and documented (§ 5 BFSG).
Sprint plan for BFSG compliance
Before the start of each implementation phase, we carry out a detailed as-is analysis of all BFSG criteria and document the results as a binding working basis. The costs incurred for this are invoiced separately. If the project is subsequently commissioned, we offset these costs in full against the overall project budget.
The following activities are rough guidelines and procedures. For the sake of clarity, more detailed points have been omitted:
| week | Overview of measures | Essential tasks |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Check status & plan measures | – Accessibility tests with WAVE or Google Lighthouse – Identify problem areas (alt texts, contrasts, forms) – Record PDF forms, booking tools and captchas – Document the current status using the WCAG criteria |
| 3-4 | Start implementation | – Add alternative texts, adjust contrasts – Semantic HTML structure (ARIA attributes, clear headings) – Optimize keyboard operation, make focus styles visible – Optional: use accessible theme |
| 5 | Test mobile / browser | – Check responsiveness (scalable text, no hidden elements) – Accessibility test with common browsers |
| 6 | Final exam / documentation | – Screen reader test – Create accessibility statement – Save screenshots and videos as evidence |
What does "barrier-free" actually mean?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) and the European standard EN 301 549 form the official framework for digital accessibility in Europe. WCAG defines measurable success criteria according to the principles of perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. EN 301 549 refers to these criteria and specifies them for websites, apps and digital documents. Those who comply with both standards automatically meet the key requirements of the BFSG, reduce the risk of fines and improve the user experience for all customers.
Alternative texts for all images
Color contrasts of at least 4.5 : 1
No “keyboard traps” – all functions accessible via tab
Clear HTML structure:
main,nav,section,headeretc.Comprehensible error messages for forms
No mandatory captchas without an accessible alternative
Funding opportunities - up to 80 % cost reimbursement
The amount of funding available for accessible websites varies depending on the federal state. Each state has its own programs with different requirements, funding amounts and application procedures. Depending on the location of the company, up to 80% of the costs for digital accessibility measures can be reimbursed.
We support you in the selection of suitable funding programs, accompany the application process and monitor both the approval and disbursement of the funding.
Free tools & templates
- Declaration of accessibility: sample according to BFSG
Tool recommendations: WAVE, Google Lighthouse, NVDA, Stark-Plugin for Figma
Request a free initial consultation now – we’ll check your funding options!
Conclusion
The countdown is on. We are certified as an agency for accessible web design according to WCAG and EN 301 549 – contact us without obligation and start your accessible project!
