In Germany, every website, blog or social media profile used for business purposes (geschäftsmäßige Telemedien) must contain a legal notice (Impressum). Since May 2024, the requirements have been set by Section 5 of the Digital Services Act (Digitale-Dienste-Gesetz, DDG), which replaced the former Section 5 TMG.

Who needs an Impressum and the two-click rule

The requirement applies to any website through which paid services or goods are offered or which carries advertising or affiliate links. By law, the Impressum must be easy to recognise, directly accessible and permanently available (leicht erkennbar, unmittelbar erreichbar). According to German case law, no more than two clicks are acceptable: the link is usually placed in the footer of every page and not hidden behind unclear icons.

Mandatory details for different business forms

Individuals (Einzelunternehmen, Freiberufler) must give their full first and last name and a real postal address where documents can be served (a P.O. box is not allowed). Companies (UG, GmbH) must give the full company name with legal form, all managing directors authorised to represent the company, the address, the registration court (Amtsgericht) and the commercial register number (HRB). If a VAT identification number has been issued, the USt-IdNr under Section 27a UStG must be stated.

Contact channels and regulated professions

The law requires an email address and one further way of making fast, direct contact; this is usually a telephone number. According to the Court of Justice of the EU, an electronic contact form may also suffice if it genuinely allows fast communication. Regulated professions (doctors, architects, lawyers) must state their chamber (Kammer), their professional title and the country in which it was awarded, and the professional rules (Berufsordnung). For activities that require a licence (such as brokers under Section 34c GewO), the supervisory authority must be stated.

The risk of cease-and-desist letters and how to protect your site

Errors in the Impressum can lead to cease-and-desist letters (Abmahnung) from competitors and associations under the Unfair Competition Act (UWG), demanding a declaration to stop the infringement (Unterlassungserklärung) backed by a contractual penalty. Since December 2020, competitors can no longer claim their legal costs for breaches of online information duties, but associations still can; in addition, the authorities may impose a fine under the DDG. It is advisable to use generators from recognised legal services (eRecht24, IT-Recht Kanzlei) and to monitor changes in the law.

What to check

  • Check that every page has a direct “Impressum” link in the footer.
  • State the full legal name, the person authorised to represent the business and the physical address.
  • Add a contact email, telephone number and, if applicable, the commercial register number.
  • Add the USt-IdNr and, for licensed activities, the supervisory authority.

Example situation

An online shop owner gives no email address in the Impressum, only a contact form, and receives a cease-and-desist letter from a business association demanding a declaration to stop the infringement and reimbursement of costs.

Next step

The Impressum is a strict legal requirement in Germany; getting it right avoids cease-and-desist letters and fines and shows German customers that you are transparent.

Official information on this topic

Checklists and examples are organisational recommendations. Requirements depend on the procedure, the city and your situation; check them with the relevant office before you act. Please discuss legal and tax questions with an authorised professional.

This article was prepared with the help of AI. The example illustrates the approach and does not describe a client case.