Digital Accessibility Will Become Law in June 2025

Imagine your website being accessible to everyone—whether they live with a disability, face technical limitations, or simply want to browse quickly on their smartphone. Sounds great, doesn’t it? That’s precisely the goal of an accessible website. And now, it’s getting serious: starting June 28, 2025, accessibility will become a legal requirement for many websites and digital offerings in the Federal Republic of Germany.

The foundation for this is the Accessibility Strengthening Act (Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz, BFSG), which stems from the EU directive known as the European Accessibility Act (EAA). If you offer digital products or services, such as online shops, banking platforms, or apps, you must ensure that they are accessible by this deadline at the latest.

But digital accessibility is not just a legal obligation—it’s also a genuine opportunity:

• Expand your audience: Reach a larger group, including 7.8 million people with disabilities in Germany.
• Enhance usability: Make your website easier for everyone, from seniors to commuters dealing with unstable internet connections.
• Boost SEO performance: An accessible website can significantly improve your search engine rankings.

In this article, we’ll explain what accessibility means, who the new law applies to, and how it can significantly benefit your SEO strategy. Also check out our more detailed guide on how to make your website accessible.

Ready to future-proof your website? Let’s get started!

---

Definition – What Does Digital Accessibility Actually Mean?

Digital accessibility means designing digital products and services so that they can be used by everyone, regardless of physical, sensory, or cognitive limitations. According to the Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG), digital offerings must be designed in such a way that they are “discoverable, accessible, and usable in the generally customary manner, without undue difficulty, and fundamentally without external assistance” (§3 Paragraph 1 BFSG).

The Accessibility Strengthening Act: A Step Towards Digital Inclusion

Digital accessibility has come a long way before becoming mandatory in Europe and Germany. With the Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) coming into effect on June 28, 2025, this development reaches a crucial milestone. But how did we get here? Here’s a look at the legal history of digital accessibility.

The Basics: The European Accessibility Act and WCAG Guidelines

The BFSG is based on the EU directive known as the European Accessibility Act (EAA), adopted in 2019. The EAA aims to establish uniform accessibility standards across the European Union and make digital offerings accessible to everyone.

The EAA requires member states to implement laws that ensure digital products and services are accessible. This includes:

• Websites and apps.
• E-books and digital content.
• ATMs, ticket machines, and other interactive terminals.
• Online shops and e-commerce platforms.

The EU recognizes that accessibility is not just a matter of social justice but also offers economic advantages—for businesses expanding their target audience and for society as a whole. The EAA draws on the principles of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

The WCAG are the international standard for digital accessibility. They provide clear instructions on how to design websites and digital applications to ensure they are accessible to everyone, regardless of their limitations.

The guidelines are based on four key principles to ensure that digital content is:

1. Perceivable: Content must be designed so users with different sensory abilities can perceive it.
2. Operable: Every function must be usable without barriers—even without a mouse.
3. Understandable: Content and navigation must be clear and simple.
4. Robust: Content must be compatible with all assistive technologies, such as screen readers or Braille displays.

The WCAG defines three levels of conformance to describe the degree of accessibility:

• A: Basic requirements that must be met, such as alternative text for images.
• AA: Advanced requirements to ensure broader accessibility, such as sufficient color contrast and clear focus indicators.
• AAA: The highest level, offering maximum accessibility, such as full audio descriptions for videos.

For the BFSG, A and AA levels are mandatory. The AAA level is not required but offers additional accessibility and could be appealing to businesses wanting to stand out.

Who Is Affected by the New Obligation?

Starting June 28, 2025, the BFSG mandates that many businesses make their digital offerings accessible. The law applies to all companies offering digital products or services, including:

• E-commerce websites: Online shops, marketplaces, and booking platforms.
• Financial service providers: Banks, insurance companies, and credit platforms.
• Travel providers: Websites for travel bookings, ticket shops, and mobility services.
• Telecommunications providers: Portals for internet and mobile contracts.
• Media providers: Streaming services, news sites, and apps.

In short, if you operate a digital service used by the public, the law likely applies to you.

Are There Any Exceptions?

Not all businesses are required to make their websites or apps accessible. Exceptions include:

• Small businesses (SMEs): If your service company employs fewer than 10 people and has annual revenues of less than €2 million, you are not directly affected. However, micro-enterprises producing products are not exempt and must comply with the requirements.
• B2B products/services: Offerings exclusively designed for the B2B sector and not used by consumers are excluded from the BFSG.
• Internal systems: Websites and tools used solely internally and without public access are not subject to the regulations.

Nonetheless: Even if your business is not formally obligated, investing in accessibility is worthwhile—for a broader audience, better SEO results, and stronger brand perception.

What Happens if Businesses Fail to Comply?

Companies that fail to act by 2025 risk not only excluding potential customers but also facing legal consequences. Possible outcomes include:

• Sanctions: Fines or other penalties may be imposed for non-compliance.
• Reputational damage: Businesses that ignore accessibility risk being seen negatively in public perception—especially as inclusion becomes increasingly important.
• Competitive disadvantage: Competitors who prioritize accessibility early on may gain market share.

Digital Accessibility in Germany: From the Beginnings to Today

The development of digital accessibility in Germany and Europe is the result of numerous legislative initiatives aimed at providing unrestricted access to digital content for everyone. Here is a detailed timeline of the most important laws and directives:

• 2002: Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act (BGG): Introduction of the BGG in Germany, promoting the equality of people with disabilities and reducing barriers in communication and access to information.
• 2006: United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD): Germany signs the UN CRPD, recognizing accessibility as a fundamental human right.
• 2016: EU Directive 2016/2102: The European Union adopts the directive on the accessibility of websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies, requiring member states to implement it.
• 2018: Update to the Barrier-Free Information Technology Ordinance (BITV 2.0): Germany adjusts the BITV to meet the requirements of EU Directive 2016/2102, ensuring the accessibility of public websites and mobile applications.
• 2019: European Accessibility Act (EAA): The EU adopts the EAA, setting accessibility requirements for a wide range of products and services and requiring member states to implement it by 2025.
• 2021: Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG): Germany implements the EAA with the BFSG, which comes into effect on June 28, 2025, and for the first time obligates private sector companies to meet accessibility requirements.
• 2025: BFSG Implementation: From June 28, 2025, all affected products and services in Germany must meet the specified accessibility requirements.

Why the Accessibility Act Benefits Everyone

An accessible website enables people with diverse needs and limitations to use your content without restrictions. Most importantly, it makes the internet accessible to all, including the 7.8 million people with severe disabilities in Germany (representing nearly 10% of the population). However, not everyone with a disability is classified as severely disabled, meaning the number of people who benefit from online accessibility is significantly larger. This includes:

• People with visual impairments: Visual impairments are among the most common disabilities worldwide. This includes not only people with complete blindness but also those with partial sight loss, color blindness, or age-related vision decline. For example, 38.1% of Germans wear glasses regularly, and two-thirds wear them at least occasionally.
• People with hearing impairments: Hearing impairments are also widespread. These include individuals who rely on hearing aids as well as those who are completely deaf. According to a study, 16% of adults in Germany are hard of hearing.
• People with motor impairments: Motor impairments affect the ability to use input devices like a mouse or touchscreen. This can include conditions such as arthritis or neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis.
• People with cognitive impairments: Cognitive limitations cover a wide range of challenges, including learning difficulties, memory problems, autism, or concentration issues. These groups also benefit significantly from accessibility measures.
• Older adults: With age, various limitations often emerge. Older adults are one of the largest groups that benefit from accessible websites. Over 22 million people in Germany are over 60 years old—a number that continues to rise. By 2050, their share is expected to reach 38% of the total population.
• People with temporary impairments: Not every limitation is permanent. People with temporary impairments—such as after an injury, during illness, or due to a stressful life phase—also benefit from accessible websites.
• People in challenging usage situations: Even individuals without physical limitations benefit from accessible websites when they face specific circumstances, such as:
  • Poor lighting conditions.
  • Slow internet connections.
  • Using mobile devices with small screens.

In summary, accessibility means you’re not only addressing the 7.8 million people with severe disabilities in Germany but also reaching many other target groups that often go unnoticed. From older adults and people with temporary limitations to those in everyday situations, accessible websites are for everyone—and that is their greatest strength.

Future of Accessibility: Legal Developments

Digital accessibility within the European Union (EU) is continuously evolving to improve access to digital content for all citizens. Following the implementation of the Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) in Germany, which transposes the EU Directive 2019/882 (European Accessibility Act) into national law, further legal developments may follow. Companies and organizations should therefore act proactively, ensuring that their digital offerings are not only accessible according to current legal requirements but also prepared for future advancements.

Accessible websites offer advantages not only in terms of inclusivity but can also significantly enhance your search engine optimization. Search engines like Google favor user-friendly and accessible websites, which can boost your online visibility in the long term. With well-thought-out digital marketing strategies from WEVENTURE Performance, you can sustainably strengthen your digital presence. In doing so, you not only promote inclusion but also position yourself as a forward-thinking business in an increasingly digital world.

Conclusion: Your Next Steps Towards Digital Accessibility

Accessibility is much more than a legal requirement—it is an opportunity to make your website accessible to everyone while simultaneously enhancing your brand. By creating an accessible website, you not only provide a better user experience but also position yourself as a modern and responsible company. An accessible website demonstrates that you exclude no one—and that is greatly appreciated.

The first step is to evaluate the current status of your website and identify areas that need improvement. You can find more details in our guide. However, accessibility doesn’t end with a few technical updates. It’s about keeping your website up to date continuously, considering future developments like new technologies or legal requirements. Many companies must make their websites accessible by June 2025 — so why not start now?