Accessibility
Austria’s accessibility law: BaFG obligations for websites
Austria’s relevant statute is the Barrierefreiheitsgesetz (BaFG). It implements the European Accessibility Act and must not be confused with Germany’s BFSG.
Who is covered by Austria’s Barrierefreiheitsgesetz?
Austria’s Barrierefreiheitsgesetz (BaFG) implements the European Accessibility Act for specified products and services. It has applied since 28 June 2025. Digital services in scope include certain consumer-facing e-commerce services, such as online shops and booking services, as well as specified banking, telecommunications and e-book services. It does not automatically apply to every corporate website.
Information-only and exclusively B2B websites
WKO describes purely informational websites without a shop, booking function or another covered service as generally outside the BaFG’s scope. Exclusively business-to-business offerings are not consumer e-commerce either. The actual business model matters: adding consumer sales can change the assessment. Other legal obligations may still apply.
The microenterprise exemption
Under section 6 BaFG, microenterprises offering or providing covered services are exempt. They must employ fewer than ten persons and have either annual turnover or an annual balance-sheet total of no more than €2 million. This exemption concerns services, not every product or obligation under other laws. Business size must be assessed using the applicable rules.
Does a contact form alone trigger the law?
WKO expressly describes this question as disputed. A form is therefore neither automatic proof of an obligation nor a blanket exemption. The service offered and its connection to a possible contract matter. Enquiry, reservation and booking journeys warrant an assessment of their specific legal context.
BaFG, WZG and WCAG: what is the difference?
The BaFG covers specified products and services. The federal Web-Zugänglichkeits-Gesetz (WZG) can govern websites and mobile apps of public bodies within its scope; regional public-sector rules also need consideration. Germany’s BFSG is not Austria’s statute.
WCAG 2.2 is a W3C technical recommendation with testable success criteria. EN 301 549 addresses accessibility of information and communication technology beyond web content alone. A WCAG 2.2 AA audit is an important technical foundation, not automatic proof of every BaFG obligation. The relevant standard edition, legal requirements and assessment scope must fit the service.
What accessibility information is needed?
For covered services, the BaFG requires information explaining how the service meets accessibility requirements, for example in the terms or an equivalent document. Public bodies have separate accessibility-statement requirements. A template alone is insufficient: information about features, assessment and known limitations must describe the actual service.
Is a plugin or accessibility overlay enough?
No. An overlay does not automatically repair information architecture, unclear text, missing form labels or a booking journey’s logic. Additional functions may help, but they do not replace an accessible foundation and manual testing. A WordPress theme labelled “accessibility-ready” is not a guarantee for the finished website.
What does an accessible website or WCAG audit cost?
Scope depends on distinct page templates, core journeys, interactive states, languages, documents and third-party integrations. Remediation also depends on whether the theme, plugins, design or content need changes. We do not publish an invented flat price: a defined assessment scope enables a clear proposal. Audit, implementation and retesting are described separately.
How do we improve an existing site?
- Clarify the business model, legal context and priority user tasks.
- Assess representative pages and complete journeys using automated and manual methods.
- Prioritise barriers with location, impact and an actionable fix.
- Implement corrections and retest the same journeys.
- Train editors and repeat checks after changes.
Discuss a WCAG audit or plan an accessible website with Zensations. Our WordPress checklist supports implementation in your CMS.
Accessibility in real Zensations projects
- WACA: accessible website implementation plus logo, corporate design and branding for the Web Accessibility Certificate Austria.
- FFG: accessibility evaluation of websites and tools commissioned following a public tender, plus editorial workshops including PDF documents.
- Hilfsgemeinschaft der Blinden und Sehschwachen: information architecture, navigation and a multisite concept including Augengesundheit.at.
- myAbility / DisAbility Performance: technical implementation and ongoing consulting with a web accessibility focus.
These references document different project scopes. They do not establish the current conformity of every website mentioned or promise certification.
Sources
General guidance, not individual legal advice.
