Summary:
- A BFSG check reviews your website for WCAG 2.1 AA compliance in 60 seconds — free, no registration required, directly at BFSG-Scan.at.
- Results are categorized into three levels (Conformant / Needs Improvement / Non-conformant) with specific next steps for each.
- After the free quick check, the full audit (€449) covers up to 20 pages and delivers a PDF report.
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What is a BFSG Check?
A BFSG check (also called BFSG test or BFSG website audit) is a systematic review of your website for compliance with Austria's Accessibility Act (BFSG) and the underlying standard WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
Since June 28, 2025, Austrian businesses are legally required to make their digital offerings accessible. A BFSG check shows you exactly where your website stands — and what you need to do to become compliant.
Who Needs a BFSG Check?
The BFSG applies to:
| Business type | BFSG-required? |
|---|---|
| Online shops (B2C and B2B) | Yes — mandatory |
| Booking portals (hotel, restaurant, travel) | Yes |
| Banking & financial services | Yes |
| General business websites with contact forms | Yes |
| Micro-enterprises <10 employees, turnover ≤ €2M | Exemption possible — except online shops |
Important: The micro-enterprise exemption does not apply to online shops and booking portals.
Free BFSG Check in 3 Steps
Step 1: Start the automated scan
Enter your website URL at BFSG-Scan.at. The free quick check scans up to 5 pages in about 60 seconds for the most common BFSG violations.
What the free BFSG check covers:
- Alt texts for images (WCAG 1.1.1)
- Color contrast values — minimum 4.5:1 (WCAG 1.4.3)
- Keyboard accessibility (WCAG 2.1.1)
- Form labels (WCAG 1.3.1)
- Language declaration:
(WCAG 3.1.1) - Heading hierarchy (WCAG 1.3.1)
- ARIA usage for custom elements (WCAG 4.1.2)
Step 2: Interpret your results
After the scan you receive:
- BFSG compliance status: Compliant / Partially compliant / Non-compliant
- WCAG conformance level: AA / A / Non-conformant
- Prioritized error list with WCAG criterion (critical / serious / moderate / minor)
- Affected page elements with concrete guidance
Step 3: Derive actions
Depending on results, you have three options:
1. Fix it yourself immediately: Alt texts, language declaration, color contrast are often fixable in 30 minutes
2. Commission a developer: Keyboard trap, complex ARIA issues, focus management
3. Commission a full audit: For legally defensible proof and conformity declaration
Automated BFSG Check vs. Manual Audit
| Criterion | Automated BFSG Check | Manual Audit |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | From €449 |
| Duration | 60 seconds | 3–10 business days |
| WCAG coverage | ~30–40% of criteria | 100% |
| Legal standing | Orientation guide | Conformity declaration |
| Screen reader test | No | Yes |
| Recommendation | First overview | Before authorities, legal risk |
An automated BFSG check is the ideal first step — it immediately shows the most critical issues without cost or waiting time.
Understanding BFSG Check Results
What do WCAG conformance levels mean?
- WCAG 2.1 AA (target): All A and AA criteria met. Corresponds to BFSG requirements — you're legally covered.
- WCAG 2.1 A (partial): Basic criteria met, but AA gaps present. Improvements needed.
- Non-conformant: Critical or serious deficiencies — urgent action needed, fine risk up to €7,200 (sole traders) or €80,000 (companies).
Most common findings on Austrian websites
1. Missing alt texts (73% of websites) — images without descriptions
2. Insufficient color contrast (67%) — gray text on white background
3. Missing keyboard accessibility (45%) — CSS outline: none removes focus indicator
4. Missing form labels (38%) — placeholder text is not a substitute for labels
5. Missing language declaration (29%) — without lang attribute
After the BFSG Check: Next Steps
Immediate fixes for critical errors
- Alt texts: WordPress → click image → fill in Alternative Text field
- Color contrast: Use WebAIM Contrast Checker, change text color to min. #595959
- Focus indicator: Remove
outline: nonefrom CSS, replace with:focus { outline: 2px solid #0066cc; } - Language declaration: Set
in your template
Achieving full BFSG compliance
A free quick check covers ~35% of WCAG criteria. For full compliance:
- Full BFSG Audit (€449): All 50+ WCAG 2.1 AA criteria, manual screen reader testing, conformity declaration, valid for 12 months
- BFSG Monitoring (€99/month): Automatic monitoring after website updates — prevents regressions
Start Your Free BFSG Check Now
The BFSG check at BFSG-Scan.at takes 60 seconds — no registration, no credit card, instant results.
Simply enter your website URL and find out whether your website is BFSG compliant.