Germany: BFSG & web accessibility — fines up to €100,000
The Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) is Germany's transposition of EU Directive 2019/882 (the European Accessibility Act) and has applied since 28 June 2025 to products and services offered to consumers, including online shops and e-commerce. One point matters in practice: the BFSG's definition of “consumer” is broader than the EAA's — predominantly private use is enough to qualify, whereas the EAA excludes professional, commercial and trade purposes. A purely EAA-based reading therefore understates the scope in Germany.
Penalties at a glance
Is your store compliant?
Frequently asked questions
How high are BFSG fines?
Violations can be fined up to €100,000. Fines are imposed per violation and are cumulative — multiple defects add up. They are enforced by the market surveillance authority of the federal states (MLBF).
When does the BFSG apply?
Obligations have applied since 28 June 2025 for services provided to consumers. Certain products and existing contracts have limited transition periods, but newly offered digital services are already in scope.
Does the BFSG apply to my website?
The BFSG covers specific sectors — e-commerce, consumer banking, e-books, electronic communications, audiovisual media, passenger transport and self-service terminals — not every website; a purely informational or promotional site may fall outside its scope. Once you offer goods or services online to consumers in Germany, you are generally covered. Micro-enterprises providing services are exempt — fewer than 10 employees and, at the same time, an annual turnover or balance-sheet total of no more than €2 million (both conditions must be met). The exemption covers services only; placing products on the market remains subject to the BFSG even for a micro-enterprise.
See what an Axively audit looks like
See on a real example which violations Axively finds and what the fix suggestions look like.
See a sample audit