BITV 2.0 – Germany's Accessibility Regulation for Public Sector Bodies
BITV 2.0 (Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung – Barrier-Free Information Technology Regulation) is a German legal ordinance that sets binding requirements for the accessibility of digital applications operated by federal public sector bodies. It defines how websites, mobile apps and other digital offerings of federal authorities must be designed to ensure accessible use for all people, regardless of disability.
BITV 2.0 is based on the German Disability Equality Act (BGG) and technically references the European standard EN 301 549, which incorporates WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Its technical requirements are therefore largely identical to those of Germany's BFSG and the European Accessibility Act – the key difference lies in scope: BITV applies to the public sector, the BFSG to the private sector.
To verify compliance, the dedicated BITV test was developed – a structured evaluation procedure with 60 weighted test steps. Since 28 June 2025, the BFSG complements BITV as a mandatory framework for private sector companies, creating a consistent baseline of digital accessibility across Germany.
BITV 2.0 at a Glance
- What is BITV: German legal ordinance based on the BGG – governs accessibility of digital applications for federal public sector bodies
- Scope: Federal ministries, agencies and institutions – German states and municipalities have their own separate regulations
- Technical basis: EN 301 549 referencing WCAG 2.1 Level AA – technically identical to the requirements of BFSG and EAA
- BITV test: 60 weighted test steps – from 90/100 points an application is considered BITV-compliant
- Obligations: Accessible applications + published accessibility statement + feedback mechanism for users
What Is BITV 2.0? – Regulation and Legal Basis
BITV 2.0 is a legal ordinance based on §12 of the German Disability Equality Act (BGG). The BGG obliges public authorities to make their communications and information technology accessible – BITV 2.0 specifies this obligation for digital applications with measurable requirements.
In its current version (BITV 2.0 from 2011, last amended in 2019), the regulation references the European harmonisation standard EN 301 549, which incorporates WCAG 2.1 Level AA. BITV therefore covers the same four principles as WCAG: perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. Support by assistive technologies is a core demand of the regulation.
Who Is Affected? – Scope of BITV
BITV 2.0 applies to federal public sector bodies – federal ministries, federal agencies, federal authorities and other federal institutions. Their websites, mobile applications, intranet systems and other digital offerings are subject to BITV requirements as a binding obligation.
German states and municipalities are governed by their own accessibility regulations that are aligned in content with BITV but represent separate legal frameworks. Private sector companies do not fall under BITV – they are governed by the BFSG since 28 June 2025. Public bodies that also provide commercial services may fall under both frameworks.
The BITV Test: Evaluation Procedure for Digital Applications
The BITV test is a structured, methodologically sound evaluation procedure for assessing BITV compliance. Its structure:
- 60 test steps with varying weights – based on WCAG success criteria and BITV-specific requirements
- Score 0–100 – from 90 points a website or application is considered BITV-compliant; 100 points corresponds to full conformance