Create an imprint: mandatory information, common mistakes, and the free imprint generator

The new website is finished. The offer is ready, the homepage is pleasing, the first visitors could come. Shortly before going live, one question remains open: What actually belongs in the imprint – and what doesn't?

An imprint is more than just a formal sub-page. It is the legally required provider identification that allows visitors, customers, and authorities to recognise who is behind a website. Incorrect, incomplete, or hard-to-find details can lead to costly warnings, fines, and disputes with competitors. And many website operators are rightly unsure which details are required for their legal form, business activity, and target audience.

In this post, we will show you what constitutes a legally compliant imprint, who is obliged to provide one, and which mistakes are particularly common in practice. At the end, you can with the Free Imprint Generator from Lawyer Helmer Tieben Step-by-step creation of a structured imprint text – tailored to your specific provider type.

Note: This article is for general information only and does not replace individual legal advice. For your specific situation, please consult a.

An imprint.

The term „Impressum“ originally stems from press law. Certain information about responsibility had to be provided in printed matter for a long time. The legislator has transferred this principle to digital services. Therefore, legally speaking, it is also referred to as „provider identification“.

The imprint ensures transparency: users should be able to recognise unequivocally who is responsible for an online offering and how they can contact this person or company. It is therefore neither advertising text nor a privacy policy nor general terms and conditions. These three elements are often mixed up in practice – wrongly so. The imprint identifies the provider. The privacy policy explains the handling of personal data. The general terms and conditions regulate the contractual relationship with the customer. Each of these pages serves a different purpose and must be available independently on the website.

Jeder, der in Deutschland geschäftsmässig eine Website betreibt.

The central provision has been in force since 14 May 2024 in Section 5 of the Digital Services Act (DDG). It has largely adopted the content of Section 5 of the former Telemedia Act (TMG). Therefore, anyone who refers to Section 5 TMG or cites it in their imprint is working with an outdated legal basis.

Under § 5(1) of the DDG, the information obligations apply to all providers of „commercial digital services, which are usually offered for remuneration“. The term is deliberately broadly defined. It typically covers:

• Corporate and Law Firm Websites
• Websites for the self-employed, freelancers, and tradespeople
• Online shops and marketplace offerings
• Business blogs
• Club websites
• journalistic and editorial offerings, such as online magazines and professional podcasts
• Business social media profiles on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, XING or YouTube
• Affiliate websites that are refinanced through commissions
• Landing pages and websites for customer acquisition

Private offers without an economic connection may be assessed differently in certain circumstances. However, the line to commercial use is crossed more quickly than many assume. According to established case law, advertising banners, affiliate links, or sponsored posts are sufficient to subject an otherwise private offer to the requirement of having an imprint. When in doubt, it is safer to have a complete imprint ready.

What information must be included in an imprint?

• Section 5 (1) of the DDG provides an exhaustive list of the mandatory details. Not every detail is relevant to every provider – which information is required depends in particular on the legal form, the business activity, any registration in a register, professional law and the type of published content.

Typical information according to § 5 DDG includes:

• the full name or the full company name
• a valid postal address (no PO box)
• a quick electronic contact method, particularly an email address
• further contact details such as telephone number, provided that immediate communication is thereby enabled
• For legal entities: legal form and authorised representatives
• the competent register and the register number, if applicable
• the VAT identification number according to § 27a UStG, if applicable
• the business identification number, if assigned and to be provided
• the competent supervisory authority for activities requiring a permit
• chamber affiliation, statutory professional title and the state of conferment for regulated professions
• the professional regulations and how they are accessible
• in relation to journalistic-editorial content, the person responsible according to § 18 (2) of the Media State Treaty (MStV)
• Information on consumer dispute resolution according to Section 36 of the Consumer Dispute Resolution Act (VSBG), insofar as applicable

These details in the imprint must be complete, up-to-date and truthful. Contradictions between the details in the imprint, the commercial register and on other pages of the website regularly lead to objections.

Mandatory information according to provider form

Private individual and private blog

Purely private websites without commercial connections are generally not subject to the imprint obligation according to § 5 DDG. However, as soon as advertising is placed, affiliate links are integrated, or products are promoted, the commercial sphere is reached. A blog with occasional collaborations generally also falls under the imprint obligation. Those who are unsure should have an imprint in case of doubt. The effort is minimal, the risk of Warning letter visibly larger due to missing provider identification.

Sole traders and tradespeople

Sole proprietors and tradespeople must state their full legal name (first and last name) in the imprint. A fictitious or business name such as „MusterMedia“ or „Studio Blau“ may only supplement the name, not replace it. In addition to the name, a serviceable address and a quick electronic contact option must be provided. A PO box address is not sufficient.

Freelancer

Freelancers such as doctors, lawyers, tax advisors, architects, or engineers must also state the professional body to which they belong, the statutory professional title along with the state where it was conferred, and the relevant professional regulations. A VAT identification number must also be provided, if available.

GbR and registered GbR (eGbR)

The civil law partnership (Gesellschaft bürgerlichen Rechts) generally requires the disclosure of all managing partners with a.

GmbH and UG (limited liability)

For corporations such as GmbH and UG, particularly precise details are required:

• Full company name including legal form suffix (e.g. „GmbH“, „UG (haftungsbeschränkt)“)
• Registered office and service address of the company
• all managing directors with full names
• The competent register court
• the company registration number
• upon winding-up or liquidation, a corresponding note

Departed managing directors or incorrect registration numbers are a common reason for a warning.

Associations and Foundations

Registered associations must state the association name with the addition „e. V.“, the board of directors as the representative body, the registry court, and the association registration number. For legally capable foundations, the full foundation name, the place of business, the representatives and, where applicable, the responsible foundation supervisory authority must be stated.

Regulated professions

For lawyers, tax consultants, auditors, doctors, dentists, pharmacists, architects, intermediaries according to § 34c or § 34d GewO and other activities requiring a licence, professional law details are also added. In particular, information on the responsible chamber, the legal professional title, the state in which it was conferred, a reference to the relevant professional regulations and – for activities requiring a licence – the responsible supervisory authority with its address are required.

The imprint must be accessible.

• Section 5(1) of the DDG requires the provider identification to be „easily recognisable, immediately accessible and permanently available“. Specifically, according to case law, this means that the imprint should be accessible from every sub-page within a few clicks, usually via a clearly labelled link in the footer. Labels such as „Impressum“ or „Kontakt & Impressum“ are unproblematic. Labels such as „Info“, „Backstage“ or „About“ are risky because users do not expect provider identification there.

Business social media profiles also require a clearly visible imprint notice. On platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn or XING, the designated fields in the bio or info box are suitable for this. A mere „Website“ link without clear labelling is regularly insufficient.

The most common mistakes in the imprint

Errors in the imprint are a classic in warning letter law. From consulting practice in the legal review in internet law the same points keep coming up:

• Using a PO Box address instead of a verifiable address
• Missing full name for sole traders
• Incomplete or incorrect company name without legal form designation
• outdated information about managing directors or registration numbers
• Reference to § 5 TMG instead of § 5 DDG
• unverified adoption of a third party's imprint from another website
• outdated reference to the former EU online dispute resolution platform (more on this below)
• Missing professional legal information for regulated professions
• Missing responsible person according to § 18 para. 2 MStV for journalistic-editorial offers
• Contradictions between the commercial register, imprint, and details in the footer
• Hard-to-find imprint link or unclear designation
• Mixing of imprint, privacy policy, and terms and conditions on one page
• blanket disclaimers that give the user a false sense of security

A specific point concerns the European Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform. The European Commission has permanently ceased the operation of the ODR platform with effect from 20 July 2025. The previous link at ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr now leads nowhere. Imprint texts that still contain this link are outdated and should be corrected.

And probably the most common mistake: copying someone else's legal notice without checking. The legal form is wrong, the registration number is incorrect, the responsible supervisory authority is different. Anyone who uses another person's legal notice not only risks a warning but also generally infringes the copyright of the original author.

A detailed overview of the statutory information according to the DDG And the need for adaptation can be found in our separate article.

Create a free imprint with the generator

The Free imprint generator The Tieben law firm's imprint is based on the typical mandatory information according to § 5 DDG, § 18 para. 2 MStV and § 36 VSBG. It does not replace individual legal advice but supports you in structuring the relevant information – without you having to copy and paste between different template imprints.

The process is divided into nine guided steps:

1. Selection of provider type (private individual, sole trader, freelancer, GbR, GmbH, UG, association, and others)
2. Entry of master data with name, address and contact details
3. Information on authorised representatives of legal entities
4. Registration and tax details
5. Additional information for regulated professions
6. Checking whether journalistic and editorial content is being published
7. Information on consumer dispute resolution according to § 36 VSBG
8. Selection of optional hints
9. Output of the finished text

The generator is completely free to use. Unnecessary fields will be automatically hidden depending on the selected provider type, ensuring the input form remains clear. Sample data is available for non-binding testing. You will receive the final result as both copyable text and HTML code, which you can directly integrate into your website. The generator is optionally available in German and English.

The important thing is: a generator can only be as good as the data you input. Therefore, check every detail carefully, use only up-to-date and correct data, and adapt the result to your actual business model. For special circumstances, an individual legal review is recommended.

👉 Create a free legal notice now

When is a generator not enough?

A structured generator is suitable for many typical website and business scenarios. However, there are scenarios where an individual legal review is advisable. These include, in particular:

• multiple companies or providers on one website
• international company structures with multiple locations
• Foreign service providers with a German target audience
• activities requiring a permit or subject to strict regulation, such as financial brokerage, insurance brokerage, or health professions
• special platform and intermediary models
• Journalistic-editorial offerings with multiple responsible parties
• complex corporate structures with multiple legal entities
• unclear responsibilities between several stakeholders
• already received warning letter or disputed imprint questions
• multiple professional admissions (e.g. dual qualification as a lawyer and tax advisor)

In such cases, it is usually not enough to fill in standard fields. The structure of the imprint must correspond to the actual legal and economic situation. Legal advice in internet law can specifically identify the points where a standard text is insufficient.

Conclusion

Creating a correct imprint means more than just filling in standard fields. It's about compiling the right information in the right structure for your specific legal form, business activity and target audience. The central legal basis today is § 5 DDG. Older templates that still refer to § 5 TMG or the previous EU platform for online dispute resolution should be revised.

The free imprint generator from Tieben law firm guides you through the typical mandatory information in nine steps and delivers the result as either text or HTML. It does not replace legal advice, but helps many website operators to reliably establish the basic structure of their imprint. In special or unclear situations, you should have the text reviewed by a lawyer.

👉 Create impressum as text or HTML – start now for free

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. In Germany, an impressum is required by law for almost all websites that are used for commercial purposes or published in the context of journalism or public communication. This includes: * **Commercial websites:** Any website that advertises products or services, offers goods for sale, or is operated by a business. * **Professional websites:** Websites of freelancers, lawyers, doctors, architects, and other self-employed professionals. * **Blogs and personal websites:** If they are used for commercial purposes (e.g., advertising, affiliate marketing, selling own products). * **Social media profiles:** If they are clearly used for business or professional purposes. * **Online shops:** Obviously, as they are purely commercial. * **Publications:** Online newspapers, magazines, and other journalistic content. Essentially, if a website can be considered an "offering" or "publication" in a legally relevant context, it's highly likely to need an impressum. The aim is to provide transparency and accountability for online content.

According to § 5 paragraph 1 DDG, all providers of commercial digital services require an imprint. The term is deliberately broadly defined. It covers companies, the self-employed, freelancers, online shops, business-used blogs, associations, journalistic-editorial offers, and business-used social media profiles. Even seemingly private offers can fall under the imprint obligation as soon as advertising, affiliate links, or sponsored posts are integrated. Purely private websites without an economic connection are excluded. Since the line is quickly crossed in practice, a complete imprint is recommended if in doubt. A missing or incomplete imprint can trigger warnings and fines.

2. Can I create a legal notice for free?

Yes. The law firm Tieben's imprint generator can be used free of charge and guides you through the typical mandatory information according to § 5 DDG, § 18 para. 2 MStV and § 36 VSBG in nine guided steps. You first select your provider type, enter the relevant master data, and at the end receive a copyable text as well as HTML code for direct integration. Fields that are not required are automatically hidden. Important: The generator assists with the structured compilation, but does not replace individual legal advice from a lawyer experienced in internet law in special or unclear situations.

3. Die folgenden Angaben müssen nach § 5 DDG in das Impressum aufgenommen werden: * **Name und Anschrift des Anbieters:** Dies ist die vollständige rechtliche Bezeichnung des Unternehmens oder der Person sowie deren physische Adresse. * **Kontaktdaten:** Eine Möglichkeit zur schnellen elektronischen Kontaktaufnahme und unmittelbaren Kommunikation. Dies ist in der Regel eine E-Mail-Adresse. * **Vertretungsberechtigte Person(en):** Bei juristischen Personen (z.B. GmbH, AG) die Angabe, wer diese vertritt (z.B. Geschäftsführer, Vorstand). Bei Einzelunternehmen reicht der Name des Inhabers. * **Angaben zur zuständigen Aufsichtsbehörde (falls zutreffend):** Dies ist relevant für bestimmte Berufsgruppen oder Branchen (z.B. Anwälte, Ärzte, Finanzdienstleister). * **Angaben zur beruflichen Zulassung (falls zutreffend):** Wenn der Anbieter eine gesetzlich reglementierte Tätigkeit ausübt, muss die Kammer, der er angehört, sowie die Berufsbezeichnung und der Staat, in dem diese verliehen wurde, angegeben werden. * **Informationen zur Berufsregulierung:** Bei reglementierten Berufen müssen auch die berufsrechtlichen Regelungen und deren Fundstellen (z.B. Link zum Gesetzestext) genannt werden. * **Umsatzsteuer-Identifikationsnummer (USt-IdNr.) oder Wirtschafts-Identifikationsnummer (W-IdNr.) bei Unternehmen:** Diese ist zwingend erforderlich, wenn diese Nummern vorhanden sind. * **Geschäftsinternetseite:** Die vollständige Internetadresse des Anbieters.

• Section 5, Paragraph 1 of the DDG specifically requires: the full name or company name, a valid postal address, a rapid electronic contact method including e-mail, for legal entities the legal form and authorised representatives, the registry court and registration number, the VAT or economic identification number (if allocated), the competent supervisory authority for regulated activities, for regulated professions the chamber, professional title, state of award and professional regulations, for journalistic and editorial content the person responsible according to Section 18, Paragraph 2 MStV, as well as information on consumer dispute resolution according to Section 36 VSBG. Which of these details are specifically required depends on the legal form, activity, and registration obligations.

4. Does a purely private website require a legal notice?

A purely private website with no economic connection is generally not subject to the imprint obligation under § 5 DDG. However, the line to commercial use is quickly crossed in practice. As soon as advertising banners, affiliate links, sponsored posts, your own shop, or links to your own commercial offers are included, the imprint obligation applies. Websites that do not generate direct revenue but pursue an economic interest – for example, as a marketing channel – regularly fall under this. As a precaution, many operators should also provide a complete imprint for private offerings. The risk of a warning letter significantly exceeds the effort involved.

5. Does an Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn profile require an imprint?

Social media profiles used for business purposes also fall under § 5 DDG (German Telemedia Act), just like traditional websites. Anyone who advertises products or services via a profile, presents a company, or acts as a self-employed person or content creator must ensure that the provider identification is „clearly visible, immediately accessible, and permanently available“. In practice, the designated areas provided by the platform, such as the bio, info box, or „About“ section, are suitable. A mere link to one's own website labelled „Website“ is risky because users do not expect provider identification there. Clear labelling as „Impressum“ with a directly clickable link is better.

6. May I omit my private address from the imprint?

• 5 DDG requires a deliverable address. A P.O. box alone is not sufficient. Sole traders, freelancers, or bloggers who do not have a separate business address must generally provide their private residential address. However, alternative business addresses are permissible, such as those offered by a business centre, a coworking space with mail acceptance, or a law firm's or tax advisor's address, provided that mail is actually received there and formal service is possible. It is important that the address provided allows for actual delivery. Pure mailbox solutions without a physical presence or mail acceptance regularly do not meet the legal requirements.

7. Does the previous link to the EU dispute resolution platform still need to be provided?

No. The European Commission has definitively ceased operations of the EU Online Dispute Resolution platform with effect from 20 July 2025. The reason for this was the low actual use of the platform. Imprint texts that still contain a reference to ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr are therefore outdated in terms of content and should be revised. The previously common standard sentence regarding the ODR platform should be removed. The general information obligations under Section 36 of the VSBG regarding the readiness or obligation to participate in dispute resolution proceedings before a consumer arbitration board remain in place. For small businesses with a maximum of ten employees, reduced requirements apply here under Section 36 (3) of the VSBG.

8. Is an imprint generator sufficient for every website?

For many typical constellations, a structured generator is a good basis. It helps to systematically cover the common mandatory information according to § 5 DDG without having to copy between different templates. However, a generator does not legally cover every special case in its entirety. For multiple providers on one website, foreign company structures, activities requiring a licence, complex brokerage or platform models, journalistic-editorial offerings with multiple responsible persons or already received warning letters, legal advice from a lawyer is also recommended. The generator provides the structure, and legal advice ensures that the structure fits the specific situation.