What Must Be in a German Impressum? Website, Social Media & Legal Guide

If you run a business website, a commercial social media profile, or an online shop in Germany, you are legally required to publish an Impressum. But what exactly does it need to contain? Where does the obligation apply? And how do you protect yourself from costly legal warnings (Abmahnungen)?

This comprehensive guide answers all your questions about German Impressum requirements — explained in plain language and legally up to date for 2026.

Table of Contents

1. 1. Who needs an Impressum?
2. 2. What must be in a German Impressum?
3. 3. Impressum on social media
4. 4. Common mistakes and how to avoid them
5. 5. Impressum and business address
6. 6. Conclusion
7. 7. FAQ

1. Who needs an Impressum?

The obligation to publish an Impressum comes from § 5 of the German Telemedia Act (Telemediengesetz, TMG). It applies whenever a website or online presence is operated for commercial purposes. This includes:

• Business websites and company pages
• Freelancer and professional portfolio sites
• Online shops and booking platforms
• Consulting sites and information portals that carry advertising
• Social media accounts used for commercial purposes

Private individuals are generally not affected

Only those who operate a truly private online presence with no commercial intent whatsoever are exempt. However, even a single affiliate link or advertising banner can trigger the Impressumspflicht. When in doubt, it is always safer to publish one.

2. What must be in a German Impressum?

The exact content depends on your legal form. Here is an overview of the key mandatory fields:

• Name and address: full first and last name, or company name, along with a legally serviceable business address (ladungsfähige Geschäftsadresse)
• Authorised representatives: for example the managing directors of a GmbH or UG
• Contact details: at minimum an email address and telephone number
• Register entry: for registered companies (for example HRB number and court of registration)
• VAT ID: if applicable
• Supervisory authority: if required, for example for financial or insurance service providers

Important:

All information must be clearly recognisable, immediately accessible, and permanently available — for example via a clearly labelled "Impressum" link in your main navigation or footer.

3. Impressum on social media — what applies where?

German Impressum requirements do not only apply to your website. They also extend to commercially used profiles on social media. Key platforms to be aware of:

• Instagram and TikTok: add an Impressum link in your bio (for example via Linktree)
• Facebook: add the Impressum directly to your profile or via "Page info"
• LinkedIn: no strict legal obligation at present, but linking to your Impressum in your profile is strongly recommended

Practical tip:

The easiest approach is to link to your website's Impressum page from all social media profiles. Make sure the link is clearly labelled and not hidden. This satisfies the requirements on most platforms in a single step.

4. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• PO box instead of a physical address: a PO box address does not satisfy the legal requirement for a ladungsfähige address.
• Incomplete or incorrect information: for example failing to name the managing director or listing the wrong register entry.
• A hidden Impressum: it must be reachable within one or two clicks from any page on your site. Otherwise you risk a formal legal warning.

How to avoid Abmahnungen:

Legal warnings related to missing or incorrect Impressum information are common, especially for social media profiles. Use a legally reviewed Impressum template and audit your details at least once a year or whenever your business information changes.

5. Impressum and business address — what you need to know

The business address in your Impressum is a particularly sensitive issue: it is publicly visible, yet it must meet strict legal requirements at the same time.

• Don't want to publish your home address? Anyone who wants to keep their private address out of their Impressum needs a legitimate alternative. Read more about how to protect your private business address in Germany.
• Must be legally serviceable: the address must be a proper ladungsfähige Geschäftsadresse — meaning official correspondence and legal documents can be physically delivered there.
• Virtual business address: providers like Teeberg offer a legally compliant, serviceable address in Berlin, including a contract for submission to the notary and authorities.
• Ideal for freelancers: a virtual office for freelancers keeps your home address off public registers while maintaining a professional appearance.

When does a virtual address make sense?

A separate business address is especially worthwhile for the self-employed, freelancers, and digital nomads who want to maintain their privacy while still appearing professional. A virtual office in Berlin gives you a credible registered address without the cost of renting physical space.

6. Conclusion: use your Impressum to build trust

A legally compliant Impressum is not just a formality. It builds trust with your customers and protects you from expensive legal warnings. Make sure all mandatory information is complete, clearly presented, and permanently accessible — and keep your private and business address cleanly separated.

If you do not want your personal address publicly listed, Teeberg has the right solution: a virtual business address that meets all legal requirements — fast, fully digital, and accepted by the Gewerbeamt.

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Want to protect your private address while still looking professional? Find out now about the benefits of a virtual business address at Teeberg — registered in Berlin, bookable entirely online, and recognised by German authorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the German Impressum requirements?

In Germany, any commercially operated website or social media profile must publish an Impressum under § 5 TMG. The Impressum must include the operator's full name and a serviceable address, contact details (email and phone), and depending on the legal form, additional information such as the commercial register number, VAT ID, or the name of an authorised representative.

What does a German Impressum legally need to contain?

At minimum: full name (or company name), a ladungsfähige Geschäftsadresse (physically serviceable address), an email address, and a telephone number. Registered companies must also include their register court, HRB number, managing directors, and VAT ID if applicable. The Impressum must be reachable within one or two clicks from every page.

Who needs an Impressum under German law?

Anyone who operates a website, blog, online shop, or social media profile for commercial purposes in Germany needs an Impressum. This includes freelancers, sole traders, GmbHs, and UGs — and anyone earning money through their online presence, even indirectly through affiliate links or advertising. Only genuinely private, non-commercial websites are exempt.