The BFSG is in Force — and Applies to Your Business
On June 28, 2025, the deadline for Austria's Accessibility Act (BFSG) passed. The law implements EU Directive 2019/882 (European Accessibility Act) into national law, requiring businesses to make their digital products and services accessible.
Who is Affected?
The BFSG applies to all economic operators offering products or services in Austria. Specifically affected are:
- Online shops (B2C and B2B)
- Booking portals (hotels, restaurants, travel)
- Banking and financial services online
- Streaming services (video, audio)
- E-books and digital content
- General business websites with contact forms, downloads, etc.
Exceptions: Micro-enterprises (fewer than 10 employees AND annual turnover/balance sheet ≤ €2M) are generally exempt.
But beware — exception to the exception: Even micro-enterprises must provide accessible websites if they offer e-commerce services (e.g. online shops, booking portals). Additionally, affected individuals can file an accessibility complaint with the relevant authority against any business website — regardless of company size. In such cases, the company must demonstrate that compliance would constitute a disproportionate burden.
What Requirements Apply?
The central technical standard is WCAG 2.1 Level AA (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), covering:
1. Perceivable — Content must be accessible to all senses (e.g., alt texts for images, subtitles for videos)
2. Operable — The website must be keyboard-navigable, provide sufficient time for interactions
3. Understandable — Content and operation must be understandable (plain language, error messages)
4. Robust — Compatibility with assistive technologies (screen readers, Braille displays)
Penalties for Violations
Violations of BFSG can result in administrative fines up to €7,200. District administrative authorities are responsible. Additionally there is risk of:
- Cease-and-desist letters from competitors or affected individuals
- Lawsuits for injunction and damages
- Reputational damage from public criticism
What Can You Do Now?
The first step is a quick assessment. With BFSG-Scan.at you can check your website for the most common accessibility issues in 60 seconds, for free.
We then recommend:
1. Immediate fixes — Address the most critical issues right away
2. Full audit — Systematic recording of all issues with priority list
3. Remediation — Step-by-step resolution of all deficiencies
4. Monitoring — Continuous monitoring after updates
Start now with the free quick check on BFSG-Scan.at.