The Federal Foreign Office and its missions around the world want to make their websites accessible in accordance with the national legislation implementing Directive (EU) 2016/2102 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

This accessibility statement applies to the version of this website currently online.

It was published on 4 March 2025.

Which parts of the website are not fully accessible?

The following sections of the website are not fully accessible:

• PDF downloads: We are working to replace PDF files that are not fully accessible in an accessible format as quickly as possible.
• In some cases, no alternative to recorded video content is provided. We are working to provide alternatives as quickly as possible after release should it not be possible to make these available at the time of release.
• Recorded video content sometimes lacks audio description. We are working to provide audio description as quickly as possible after release should it not be possible to make this available at the time of release.
• Information, structure and relationships can be identified. These are known limitations:
  Search: In the filter options relating to the date (selection), the desired dates cannot always be selected with arrow key navigation.
  Contact form: Information that an asterisk (*) indicates a mandatary field is not at the top of the form.
• Content switches to a single-column layout. These are known limitations:
  Search page: On this page the date picker is not completely visible. Furthermore, not all filter options are visible in landscape format.
• Focus order is task-appropriate. These are known limitations:
  Contact form: After a contact form is submitted containing errors, error messages are not given focus.
  Content: If a user clicks on the image caption, the caption is not given focus.
• Link purpose is clear (in context). These are known limitations:
  Homepage: On the homepage, the article link that appears directly below the main menu is lengthy as it contains the title, descriptive text and the graphic.
• Name, role and value can be identified. These are known limitations:
  Contact form: Mandatory fields are not indicated as such.
  Homepage: At the bottom, there is a slider. The active menu item can be easily identified. However, there is no programmatic marking.

Feedback and contact

Have you noticed any difficulties in accessing the content of this website? Or do you have questions about the topic of accessibility? Then feel free to contact us! Please use the feedback form below.

You can also contact us by post or telephone.

To give feedback and ask questions in German sign language, click here. Please note that the Gebärdentelefon (video telephone service) uses German sign language.

Arbitration procedures

An Arbitration Service has been set up in accordance with section 16 of the German Act on Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. This Service falls within the remit of the Federal Government Commissioner for Matters relating to Persons with Disabilities and has the task of resolving conflicts between people with disabilities and federal public authorities.

You can use the Arbitration Service if you are not satisfied with the answers you have received after contacting us as set out above. The purpose is not to identify winners and losers. The aim is to work together with the Arbitration Service to solve accessibility problems without recourse to the courts.

Arbitration procedures are free of charge. You do not need legal counsel.

Information about arbitration procedures can be found in German and English on the Arbitration Service’s website. You can read up on how an arbitration procedure works and how to submit an application for arbitration. Applications can also be made in simple language and in German sign language.

The Arbitration Service can be contacted at the following address:

Schlichtungsstelle nach dem Behindertengleichstellungsgesetz
bei dem Beauftragten der Bundesregierung für die Belange von Menschen mit Behinderungen
Mauerstraße 53
10117 Berlin
Telephone: +49 (0)30 18 527-2805
Fax: +49 (0)30 18 527-2901

Email: info@schlichtungsstelle-bgg.de
Internet: www.schlichtungsstelle-bgg.de