BFSG: The German Accessibility Strengthening Act

The Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) is the German implementation of the European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882). It falls under the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and has been in effect since June 2025.

What the BFSG covers

The BFSG sets mandatory accessibility requirements for a broad range of digital products and services:

• Web content and applications — Websites and web applications accessible to the public, including those operated by public authorities, must meet accessibility standards.
• Mobile applications — All mobile apps provided for public use, particularly those linked to essential services, must comply.
• Electronically supported administrative processes — Electronic case processing, electronic file management, and related processes are included.
• Graphical program interfaces — Visual components of software interfaces, especially those used by public agencies, must support accessible use by people with disabilities.

Exceptions

Not everything falls under the BFSG:

• Cultural heritage — Digital reproductions from cultural heritage collections are exempt when full accessibility is not feasible.
• Archived content — Digital archives are excluded if they do not contain material required for active administrative tasks, or if they have not been updated since 23 September 2019.
• Broadcast content — Content from websites and mobile applications of broadcasters is outside the mandatory scope.

Fines and penalties

Non-compliance with the BFSG can result in significant financial penalties. Organizations may face fines ranging from €10,000 up to €100,000, depending on the severity and nature of the violation.

Reporting requirements

Organizations subject to the BFSG must publish an accessibility statement that includes:

• Compliance declaration — A summary of adherence to standards such as WCAG 2.2.
• Accessibility features — A description of the site’s accessible functions.
• Contact information — Clear points of contact for user feedback and accessibility requests.
• Continuous improvement plans — An outline of ongoing efforts to enhance accessibility.

How QualiBooth helps

Automated scanning, continuous monitoring, and expert manual audits give you documented evidence of BFSG compliance — and a clear remediation path for any gaps.