BFSG Subtitling Requirement 2025 – What Really Matters on June 28
1 | The Countdown Is On – 26 Days Until the Legal Requirement Comes into Force
With the Accessibility Improvement Act (BFSG), Germany is implementing EU Directive 2019/882 (EAA):
From June 28, 2025, digital products and services – including e-commerce shops, e-learning platforms, banking apps, e-books, and much more – must be accessible.
For audiovisual content, this usually means that subtitles are mandatory.
(bundesfachstelle-barrierefreiheit.de, eur-lex.europa.eu)
Practical tip: The law applies to videos published as part of BFSG-relevant services from the effective date. There is no explicit retrofitting obligation for older, publicly accessible content, but adaptation is recommended to avoid discrimination. 👉 Professional transcription & subtitling from $10/min.
2 | BFSG Subtitling Requirement 2025 – Why Automatic Subtitles Are Not Enough 🚫
Core problem
What happens?
Risk
Word error rate 10–15
Technical terms, names, and numbers are garbled/omitted
Incorrect line breaks
Meaningful units split in the middle of sentences
No human QA
3 | What Makes Professional Subtitles Better 💡
3.1 Semantic Segmentation
3.2 Closed Captions
- CC File (VTT/SRT) → Users can freely adjust size, color, and contrast.
- Open “hard-coded” subtitles prevent this and are only useful if the player does not support CC.
3.3 Hybrid Workflow (AI + Human QA)
Automatic transcription saves time; our editorial team corrects timing, terminology, and line breaks. This is how we combine efficiency with maximum accuracy. We show you how this works step by step in our practical workflow.
4 | Added Value Beyond Compliance 📈
- Greater reach: > 10 million people in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland rely on subtitles.
- SEO boost: Search engines index UT files – videos rank better.
- Higher watch time: Subtitles Increase Average Viewing Time by 12–20%.
- Improved learning: Dual coding effect increases retention.
5 | BFSG Scope at a Glance
- Applies to: E-commerce, E-learning, banking and insurance services, E-books, smart devices, etc.
- Exceptions: Existing videos before June 28, 2025, that are no longer actively marketed – legal gray area, therefore still recommended to be subtitled.
- Enforcement: Market supervisory authorities + right of collective action
- Sanctions: Order to remedy, fines, damages
6 | FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Does the BFSG Also Apply to Internal Training Videos?
No. Internal content is formally exempt. However, subtitles have been proven to improve learning outcomes and promote inclusion.
Are Automated YouTube Subtitles Sufficient?
Open or Closed Subtitles – Which Is Truly Accessible?
Closed CC subtitles offer scalability and style control for users. Open subtitles are only a fallback if the player does not support CC.
How Quickly Can You Deliver Subtitles?
It always depends on the project and the scope of the project. 1–2 days for preparing a quote and clarifying the desired results, followed by approx. 1 working day per hour of video material.
What Formats Do You Deliver?
TL;DR – Too Long; Didn't Read
- BFSG Deadline: June 28, 2025 2025 → Subtitles mandatory for many digital services.
- Automatic Subtitles ≠ a Reliable Solution – error rates and missing semantics compromise comprehensibility.
- Professional, semantically segmented subtitles increase compliance, reach, and ROI.
Ready for Accessible Videos? Our team looks forward to your inquiry – no-obligation quote in < 24 hours.
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TRANSLATION
“Made in Germany” from Baden-Württemberg stands for quality worldwide, and we are committed to upholding this reputation. A high-quality translation should be easy to read, easy to understand, and indistinguishable from an original text in the target language. That is our standard.
