Website Accessibility 2026: Why It Becomes Mandatory and How to Implement It
Accessibility is no longer a nice-to-have. As of June 2025, the German Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) applies to many websites. What you need to know and how to respond.
Since June 2025, the German Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) has been in effect. It requires many companies to make their websites and digital offerings accessible. Those who fail to comply risk warnings and fines.
But accessibility isn’t just a legal obligation. It makes your website better for all users: improved usability, higher conversion rates, cleaner code structure, and better SEO performance. Anyone planning a new website should think about accessibility from the start — retrofitting is always more expensive.
What the BFSG Means for You
The BFSG implements the European Directive (EU) 2019/882. Specifically affected are:
- E-Commerce (online shops)
- Services in electronic commerce
- Banking services (online banking)
- Passenger transport (booking portals)
- Media content (streaming, e-books)
Many service provider websites (tradespeople, agencies) are currently not directly subject to the requirement, but case law is evolving. Building accessibly today puts you on the safe side.
Fines: Violations can result in fines of up to €10,000. Plus warning costs from trade associations.
The 4 WCAG Principles (The Foundation)
Web accessibility is based on WCAG 2.2 guidelines (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). They are organized into four principles:
1. Perceivable
All content must be perceivable through at least one sense.
Concrete measures:
- Alt text on all images (not just decorative ones)
- Captions for videos
- Sufficient color contrast (text/background: at least 4.5:1)
- No information conveyed through color alone (e.g., “red fields are required”)
2. Operable
The page must be usable with various input devices.
Concrete measures:
- Full keyboard operability (Tab order, focus indicators)
- No flashing content (risk for epilepsy)
- Meaningful skip links (“Skip to content”)
- Adequate click targets (at least 44×44 pixels)
3. Understandable
Content and operation must be clearly comprehensible.
Concrete measures:
- Plain language (no legalese)
- Predictable navigation (consistent structure across all pages)
- Help with form errors (specific error messages)
- Consistent labeling (menu items named the same everywhere)
4. Robust
The page must work with various assistive technologies.
Concrete measures:
- Semantically correct HTML (heading hierarchy, landmarks)
- Correct ARIA labels (no excessive use)
- Validated code (no syntax errors)
- Works with screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver)
The Biggest Levers for Your Website
Not all WCAG criteria are equally demanding. These five measures cover 80% of typical barriers:
| Measure | Effort | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Alt text on all images | 30 min | High |
| Check & fix color contrasts | 1–2 hrs | Very high |
| Test keyboard operability | 1 hr | High |
| Correct heading structure | 30 min | Medium |
| Improve form feedback | 1 hr | Medium |
Testing Tools
You don’t need to be an expert to identify barriers:
- WAVE Evaluation Tool – Browser plugin that visually displays all issues on a page
- Lighthouse – Integrated in Chrome DevTools, automated testing
- Axe DevTools – Advanced checking with specific code suggestions
- Keyboard test – Just press the Tab key and check if all elements are reachable
- Contrast checker – WebAIM Contrast Checker
Accessibility and SEO – A Dream Team
Accessibility and SEO are not opposites. Quite the opposite:
- Alt text improves image ranking in Google
- Clear heading structure helps Google understand content
- Good contrast reduces bounce rate (readability!)
- Semantic HTML is better interpreted by Google
- Fast load times are a criterion for both WCAG and SEO
An accessible website is therefore not an extra task. It’s a better website for everyone.
Conclusion
Accessibility is no longer an optional extra in 2026. The BFSG makes it mandatory for many businesses, and for everyone else it’s a matter of quality and future-proofing.
The good news: Most barriers can be fixed with manageable effort. A structured check, targeted fixes, and awareness of the topic are often enough to solve 80% of the problems.
👉 Get your website tested for accessibility. I’ll check contrasts, keyboard operability, alt text, and HTML structure, and create a prioritized to-do list.
