Website Rules in Germany
Germany has the strictest website rules in Europe. The Impressum requirement under §5 DDG, mandatory double opt-in, and the Abmahnung (cease and desist) system mean you have to get this right.
Autorité de protection des données :
Bundesbeauftragter für den Datenschutz
(BfDI)
Exigences
4
règles spécifiques au pays
Guides
4
guides disponibles
Exigences spécifiques pour Germany
Impressum (§5 DDG)
German law requires a detailed Impressum page with full company name, address, contact details, registration numbers and responsible person. Since May 2024, this is regulated under §5 DDG (replacing the old §5 TMG).
DSGVO (GDPR)
Germany applies GDPR (locally called DSGVO) strictly. German DPAs have been among the most active in Europe for enforcement.
Double opt-in for email
While not legally required EU-wide, German courts have effectively made double opt-in mandatory for email marketing through case law.
Abmahnung risk
Competitors can send Abmahnungen (formal cease-and-desist letters) for website issues under the UWG (Unfair Competition Act). This is unique to Germany.
Application en Germany
German courts have made the Abmahnung system a powerful enforcement tool. In 2022, a Munich court awarded €100 in damages per visitor for a website loading Google Fonts externally — setting a precedent that triggered thousands of similar claims. The BfDI has imposed fines exceeding €35 million on telecommunications companies for inadequate data protection.
Ressources officielles
Guides pour Germany
Impressum Requirements by Country: Germany, Austria and Beyond
Impressum requirements differ by country. Germany, Austria and Switzerland have strict rules. Here is what you need.
Google Fonts and GDPR: Why Your Website Might Be Leaking Data
Loading Google Fonts from Google's servers sends visitor IP addresses to the US. A German court fined a website owner for this. Here is how to fix it.
Cookie Banner Requirements 2026: What Actually Counts
Most cookie banners fail basic GDPR requirements. Here is what yours actually needs: reject buttons, no dark patterns, real consent.
GDPR Compliance Checklist for Your Website (2026)
A practical GDPR checklist for small business websites. Check cookies, privacy policy, consent forms, and tracking scripts.
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