In Germany, the Barrierefreie Informationstechnik-Verordnung (BITV) 2.1 is the legal standard for digital accessibility. It aligns closely with the WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines and sets clear technical requirements for public sector websites and digital applications. What Is BITV 2.1? BITV 2.1 is the German regulation that enforces digital accessibility based on the EU Web Accessibility Directive. Since 2019, it has been legally binding for: Public sector websites Mobile applications Federally funded digital services BITV ensures that people with disabilities can access digital content equally and independently. Core Requirements of BITV 2.1 BITV 2.1 adopts WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria, focusing on four accessibility principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust (POUR). Key technical requirements include: Contrast Ratio Minimum 4.5:1 for normal text Minimum 3:1 for large text Keyboard Accessibility All functionality must be operable via keyboard (Tab, Enter, Space) Screen Reader Compatibility Use of semantic HTML, ARIA roles, and meaningful alt text Scalable Fonts Minimum font size: 16px Support for zoom up to 200% without content loss Clear Structure Logical heading order (H1–H6), lists, and navigation Captions & Text Alternatives Videos must include captions Images require descriptive alt attributes Who Needs to Comply? BITV 2.1 is mandatory for: Government websites and portals Municipal digital services Universities, libraries, and healthcare platforms Mobile apps developed for the public sector Private companies are encouraged to follow it voluntarily, especially if they offer public-facing services. Why BITV 2.1 Compliance Matters Ensures equal access for 10+ million people in Germany with disabilities Avoids legal consequences and complaints Improves overall UX, SEO, and brand reputation How to Get Compliant To meet BITV 2.1 standards, businesses and public bodies must: Perform a professional accessibility audit Fix technical issues based on WCAG 2.1 AA Provide an Accessibility Statement (Barrierefreiheitserklärung) Maintain ongoing compliance with regular updates