BFSG deadlines and transition periods: what applies from when?
In short
The BFSG has applied since 28 June 2025. For websites and e-commerce services the obligation already applies now, with no grace period. Transition periods exist only narrowly: for certain self-service terminals put into use before the cut-off (until the end of their service life, at most 15 years) and for certain existing contracts (at the latest until 28 June 2030).
One of the most common questions about the BFSG is: “from when do I actually have to?” The short answer for websites and online shops: now. The longer answer separates cleanly what has a transition period and what does not.
The cut-off date: 28 June 2025
The Accessibility Strengthening Act has applied since 28 June 2025. It transposes the European Accessibility Act (EU Directive 2019/882), which sets the same date across the EU. Other EU states have transposed the directive through their own national laws with the same cut-off.
There is no grace period for websites and online shops
This is the most important point and a common misunderstanding: for electronic-commerce services, that is online shops, booking and customer portals, the obligation applies directly since 28 June 2025. There is no general transition period until 2030 for websites. An affected provider that is not accessible today is already under the obligation now.
The limited transition periods (what they really cover)
The law contains transitional provisions, but they are narrow and usually do not relieve websites:
- Self-service terminals: devices such as ticket or check-in machines and payment terminals lawfully in use before 28 June 2025 may continue to be used until the end of their economic service life, but no longer than 15 years from being put into use.
- Existing service contracts: contracts concluded before 28 June 2025 may in some cases continue unchanged, but at the latest until 28 June 2030.
Why “we are waiting for a deadline” is not a strategy
Even where a transition period applies, it only shifts the timing, not the obligation. Accessibility also cannot be produced overnight: it touches design, templates, content and often several service providers. Realistically, expect several weeks to months between the first assessment and a defensibly accessible state, depending on the size of the website.
A realistic timeline
- Assessment: audit of the representative templates and core flows (days to a few weeks).
- Prioritisation: critical barriers first, especially in checkout and forms.
- Implementation in-house or with a provider (weeks to months).
- Re-check and documentation of the conformance reached (accessibility statement / VPAT).
The sensible first step is to know where you stand. What an audit costs is covered in “What does an accessibility audit cost?”; our free scan gives a first overview at no cost.
Frequently asked questions
- From when does the BFSG apply?
- Since 28 June 2025. For websites and electronic-commerce services the obligation has applied directly since then.
- Is there a transition period for websites until 2030?
- No. The transition period running to 2030 covers certain existing contracts, not the ongoing accessibility of a publicly accessible website or online shop. For those the obligation has applied since 28 June 2025.
- By when does my online shop have to be accessible?
- In principle it already owes accessibility now, if it is affected. There is no general grace period for online shops. Limited deadlines apply only to certain self-service terminals and existing contracts.
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