Accessibility

Accessible websites: Does the EAA apply to you?

Since 28 June 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) applies across the EU. In Germany it is implemented by the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG). Many businesses are unsure whether their website is covered. Here you will find the answer and what the rules actually require.

In short

The EAA applies to websites through which consumers conclude a contract online: online shops, bookings, appointment scheduling and similar. Purely informational websites, contact forms and offers aimed only at businesses are generally not covered. Microenterprises with fewer than 10 employees and no more than €2 million in annual turnover or balance sheet total are exempt for services.

Quick check

What applies to your website?

The check gives an initial assessment and is not legal advice.

Result

Choose the answer that best describes your website.

My website provides information about my business. Customers get in touch by phone, email or contact form.

Probably not covered. Purely informational websites are generally not covered by the EAA.

My offer is aimed only at businesses, not at private individuals.

Not covered. The EAA protects consumers. What matters is that your offer is actually only open to businesses. A note in your terms and conditions alone is not always enough.

Private individuals can buy, book or schedule an appointment with me online. I have fewer than 10 employees and no more than €2 million in turnover or balance sheet total.

Exempt for services. If you sell certain products such as computers, smartphones or e-readers, requirements still apply to those products.

Private individuals can buy, book or schedule an appointment with me online. My business is larger.

Probably covered. The part of your website through which contracts are concluded must be accessible, and you need accessibility information on your website.

Overview

Which websites are covered.

Type of website	Covered?
Online shop for private customers	Yes
Online booking or appointment scheduling, for example at a hairdresser	Generally yes
Ticket sales, course registration with a contract	Yes
Purely informational website	No
Contact form, callback request, newsletter	Generally no
Job ads and careers page	No
Shop or portal for business customers only	No

What matters is whether consumers can conclude a contract through your website. How large or well known the website is does not matter.

Exemptions

Who is exempt.

Microenterprises

Businesses that provide services and meet both conditions are exempt:

fewer than 10 employees
no more than €2 million in annual turnover or annual balance sheet total

Apprentices are not counted, part-time staff count proportionally. The exemption only applies to services. Anyone who manufactures or sells certain products, such as computers, smartphones or e-readers, must still meet the requirements for those products.

Disproportionate burden

Larger businesses can, within narrow limits, argue that compliance would be a disproportionate burden. This must be justified, documented and reported to the authority. It rarely applies to ordinary websites and shops.

Requirements

What the rules require.

The website must be technically accessible

The benchmark is the European standard EN 301 549. For websites it refers to WCAG 2.1 at level AA. Among other things, this means:

Everything can be operated with the keyboard alone, without a mouse.
Text has enough contrast and can be enlarged.
Images have a text description for screen readers.
Forms are clearly labelled and error messages are easy to understand.
Videos have captions.

Accessibility information

You must explain how your offer meets the requirements. This can be part of your terms and conditions or on a separate page that is easy to find. It also includes the competent market surveillance authority.

Deadlines

Deadlines, enforcement and penalties.

Since 28 June 2025 the rules apply to new offers.
Until 28 June 2030 there are transition periods for certain existing contracts. New or redesigned offers must be accessible right away.
Enforcement: National market surveillance authorities are responsible. In Germany this is the MLBF in Magdeburg, which has been operating since September 2025.
Penalties: Each EU country sets its own penalties. In Germany, fines of up to €100,000 are possible, and competitors or associations can also send formal warnings.

Quick fixes

Why overlay plugins are not enough.

Some providers promise accessibility through a plugin that shows a menu with contrast and font size switches. This does not solve the actual problems, such as missing labels or controls that only work with a mouse. Sometimes it even creates new barriers. Chambers of trade and industry associations advise against it as well. Accessibility comes from how the website itself is built.

Benefits

Why it pays off even if it is not required.

More people can use your website, including older people and anyone with a temporary impairment.
A clean structure helps search engines understand your pages.
Clear controls and good contrast make the website easier to read on a phone and in bright sunlight.
If you add an online shop or booking feature later, the foundation is already in place.

I consider accessibility from the start and check my websites for keyboard use, contrast and clean structure, guided by WCAG 2.1 AA.

FAQ