Accessibility 2025: New Obligation for Medical Practice Websites
Imagine a patient with a visual impairment trying to book an appointment online at your practice – but the website is not accessible. They cannot use the appointment form, nor easily find your phone number. Such digital barriers frustrate and exclude people. This is where the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG), the Accessibility Strengthening Act, comes in: From June 28, 2025, many businesses, including medical practices with online services, will be required to provide digital accessibility.
In this blog article, you will learn what the BFSG regulates, who it affects, and the steps you can take now to make your practice’s website accessible.
What does the BFSG regulate, and since when has it been in force?
The BFSG is Germany’s implementation of the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and comes into force on June 28, 2025. Its aim: to enable all people – especially those with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or age-related limitations – to have equal access to digital products and services.
Until now, accessibility obligations mainly applied to public institutions (authorities, universities, etc.). The new rule extends this obligation to many private companies – including medical practices, pharmacies, clinics, and other healthcare providers – if they offer certain digital services to consumers.
In short, the BFSG requires that affected digital products and services must be “findable, accessible, and usable in the usual way, without undue difficulty, and generally without outside assistance.”
In practice, your practice website must be designed so that blind, deaf, or mobility-impaired people can use it without help. This requirement applies nationwide and is based on technical standards binding across Europe.
Which websites, online services, and apps are affected?
Not every website is automatically covered – it depends on what it offers. The law targets digital B2C offerings. In the medical field, practice websites are particularly affected if they offer online services, such as:
- Online appointment booking – e.g., a booking form or calendar tool.
- Online orders or shop – e.g., pharmacies with pre-ordering for prescriptions or medications.
- Patient portals or digital medical history forms – e.g., portals for accessing test results or submitting intake forms.
- Mobile apps – e.g., apps for appointment management or telemedicine.
Exceptions and special cases
Purely informational practice websites (e.g., opening hours, team profiles, contact info) may be outside the BFSG’s scope if no interaction or online contract initiation occurs. But beware: even a “simple” appointment request button can be legally considered an online service.
Other explicitly mentioned sectors in the BFSG include banking (online banking), e-commerce, electronic ticketing, transport services, and telecoms. For medical and dental practices, online appointment tools fall under the BFSG – and can only be operated if accessible.
Who must comply – and who is exempt?
Generally, all private market operators offering the covered products or services to consumers must comply. In healthcare, this includes physicians, dentists, medical care centers, pharmacies, etc.
Exemptions:
- Microenterprises – fewer than 10 employees and ≤ €2M annual turnover/balance sheet total – may be exempt from service-related obligations.
- B2B-only websites – if exclusively targeting other businesses and not consumers.
Why accessibility pays off even without a legal obligation
Even if your practice is formally exempt, accessibility is worthwhile:
- Likely future expansion of the law’s scope.
- Signals inclusivity, improving image and reach.
- Benefits all users, including elderly or stressed patients.
Which requirements apply to websites?
A practice website is accessible if people with different impairments can use it without barriers. The BFSG references internationally recognized standards, particularly:
- WCAG 2.1 AA (WCAG 2.2 coming soon)
- EN 301 549 (EU standard incorporating WCAG)
- BITV 2.0 (Germany’s regulation for public institutions, based on WCAG)
Examples of technical requirements:
- Clear, plain-language text.
- Alt text for images/graphics.
- Minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for text.
- Full keyboard navigation.
- Captions or transcripts for videos.
- Semantic HTML and clean heading structure.
Why are plugins not enough
Accessibility overlays (e.g., text resizing widgets) can help in minor cases but often fail to address fundamental issues – and can create conflicts with assistive technologies.
Consequences of non-compliance
The BFSG is enforced by state authorities. If a site fails to meet requirements, operators can be ordered to fix it or stop providing the online service.
Penalties:
- Cease-and-desist orders.
- Competitive lawsuits/consumer protection warnings.
- Fines up to €100,000 under §37 BFSG.
What can practice owners do?
- Assess your current site – use tools like WAVE or axe; perform manual keyboard and screen reader tests.
- Seek expert help – from your web agency or accessibility consultants.
- Implement measures – adjust text, colors, alt texts, form labels, and multimedia accessibility.
- Test & document – consider professional BITV testing; publish an accessibility statement.
Why act now
Accessibility takes time to implement – start with the biggest issues first. Make it an ongoing process. Everyone benefits from a well-structured, easy-to-use site.
How FFMedia can help
FFMedia offers a full-service package to make your website BFSG-compliant, including:
- Technical audits (WCAG 2.1/2.2, EN 301 549, BITV 2.0)
- Design/code optimization
- Accessible appointment booking system integration
- Testing & legal compliance documentation
- Ongoing accessibility support
Conclusion
The BFSG clearly defines which products and services must be accessible from June 28, 2025, to guarantee equal participation for people with disabilities.
Products covered:
- Computers, tablets, laptops (with OS)
- Self-service terminals (ATMs, ticket machines, payment kiosks)
- Telecommunications devices (phones)
- Interactive devices (smart TVs)
- E-book readers
Services covered:
- Telecom services
- Public transport websites/apps/tickets/info systems
- Banking services (online banking, digital contracts)
- E-book software
- Digital B2C services (appointment booking, e-commerce, apps)
Early compliance not only meets legal requirements but also gives a competitive advantage.
