BFSG ENFORCEABLE SINCE JUNE 28, 2025

Accessibility audit for Germany — BFSG & BITV 2.0 compliance

Check your website against the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) and BITV 2.0. Scrutia audits all WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria and delivers HTML/CSS/JS fix code for every issue.

€100k

max fine

82%

concordance rate

106

criteria tested

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German accessibility law: BFSG and BITV 2.0

Germany has two main accessibility laws. BITV 2.0 (Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung) has applied to public sector websites since 2011, while the BFSG(Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz) extends accessibility requirements to private sector digital products and services since June 28, 2025. Both reference EN 301 549 and WCAG 2.1 Level AA.

The BFSG transposes the European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882) and was adopted by the Bundestag in 2021. The law was complemented in 2022 by the BFSGV (Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz-Verordnung) which specifies technical requirements.

Official reference: Bundesministerium der Justiz — BFSG

Who must comply

  • E-commerce websites — all online shops serving German consumers
  • Banking and payment services — online banking, payment processors, crypto platforms
  • Transport booking — DB Navigator, airline sites, ride-hailing apps
  • E-books and digital media — readers, publishing platforms, streaming services
  • Consumer software and SaaS — any software sold to German consumers

Exemption:micro-enterprises with fewer than 10 employees AND less than €2 million annual turnover are exempt, unless they provide public-facing services.

Penalties under the BFSG

The BFSG establishes a framework of administrative sanctions enforced by market surveillance authorities (Marktüberwachungsbehörden) at the federal and Länder level:

  • Administrative fines up to €100,000 for serious violations
  • Compliance orders with daily penalties until remediation
  • Withdrawal or recall of non-compliant services from the German market
  • Public disclosure of violations and reputational damage

How Scrutia helps with BFSG compliance

Scrutia runs a comprehensive WCAG 2.1 AA audit aligned with EN 301 549 — the same standard the BFSG references. The audit uses a real browser to test dynamic interactions, ARIA components, keyboard navigation, contrast, and form accessibility.

The full report (149 €) includes HTML/CSS/JS fix code for every issue, an executive summary in English, and a prioritized remediation plan — everything your team needs to document BFSG conformity and publish your accessibility statement (Erklärung zur Barrierefreiheit).

Learn more about the wider framework in our European Accessibility Act audit guide.

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Scrutia tests WCAG 2.1 AA criteria referenced by German accessibility law and delivers fix code for every issue.

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Germany accessibility law FAQ

What is the BFSG and when did it come into force?
The Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) is the German law transposing the European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882) into national legislation. It was adopted in 2021 and has been enforceable since June 28, 2025. The BFSG requires private companies providing digital products and services in Germany to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
How does BITV 2.0 relate to the BFSG?
BITV 2.0 (Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung) is the German accessibility regulation for public sector websites, in force since 2011 and updated in 2019. It references EN 301 549 and WCAG 2.1 AA. The BFSG extends similar requirements to private companies. Together, BITV 2.0 (public sector) and BFSG (private sector) cover the full German digital ecosystem.
Who enforces accessibility law in Germany?
Market surveillance for the BFSG is coordinated at the federal and Länder level, with the Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft für Hilfsmittel (BAG) and regional market surveillance authorities responsible for monitoring and enforcement. For public sector compliance, the Überwachungsstelle des Bundes für Barrierefreiheit von Informationstechnik (BFIT-Bund) monitors federal websites, while each Land has its own monitoring body.
What are the penalties for non-compliance with the BFSG?
The BFSG establishes administrative fines up to €100,000 for serious violations. Authorities can also order market withdrawal of non-compliant services, issue compliance orders with daily penalties, and publish findings. Repeat or deliberate violations may face the maximum penalty, and enforcement has been active since the June 28, 2025 deadline.
Which companies must comply with the BFSG?
The BFSG applies to private companies providing digital products and services to consumers in Germany, including e-commerce, banking, transport booking, e-books, and consumer software. Micro-enterprises with fewer than 10 employees AND less than €2 million annual turnover are exempt (except for public-facing services). All other companies must comply regardless of their country of establishment if they serve German consumers.

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