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Germany Influencer Disclosure Rules 2026

Running an influencer campaign with Germany-based audience? This page surfaces the exact disclosure rules enforced by the local regulator — the regulator-preferred wording, where to place it, the alternative forms that are accepted, and the variants that are explicitly rejected.

Use the generator below to pick the platform and the type of collaboration (paid post, gifted, affiliate, whitelisted). The output is what to put at the start of the caption, verbatim. Click any chip to copy it.

GD

Reviewed by Ghassen Daoud · Founder & Managing Director, Collabios

Last updated 2026-05-17

Platform

Type of collaboration

Paid post
​
This country's regulator explicitly rejects English-only hashtags like #ad or #sponsored. The disclosure must be in the local language.

Required disclosure

Werbung

Also acceptable

Anzeige
#Werbung
#Anzeige
Bezahlte Partnerschaft mit [Marke]

✗ NOT acceptable

#ad
#sponsored
#sponsor
#paidpartnership

Where to place it

  • Am Anfang des Posts platziert, vor jedem weiteren Text
  • Klar lesbar in derselben Sprache wie der Werbeinhalt (Deutsch)
  • Bei Videos als On-Screen-Text und/oder verbal hörbar
  • Nicht in einer Hashtag-Wand am Ende versteckt

⚠ Penalties for non-compliance

Verstöße gegen § 5a UWG werden von Wettbewerbsverbänden zivilrechtlich durchgesetzt. Abmahnungen, Unterlassungsklagen und Vertragsstrafen sind die typischen Folgen. Die Wettbewerbszentrale betreibt aktiv Verfahren gegen nicht-konforme Influencer und Marken; Streitwerte regelmäßig im fünfstelligen Bereich.

Source

→ Lexology — Influencer Marketing Labelling in Germany
ⓘ This is general guidance based on publicly available regulatory sources, not legal advice. Every campaign should be reviewed by qualified counsel in the target jurisdiction before launch.

UWG §5a (2022 amendment) + Medienstaatsvertrag §22 (5th amendment effective 1 October 2024)

OLG / Wettbewerbszentrale / Landesmedienanstalten · 2024

Germany requires explicit German-language disclosure of any paid promotional content under §5a Abs. 4 + §5a Abs. 6 UWG (2022 amendment) and §22(1) Medienstaatsvertrag (MStV). The 5th MStV amendment effective 1 October 2024 aligns the framework with the EU Digital Services Act. The Wettbewerbszentrale (Centre Against Unfair Competition) and the Landesmedienanstalten actively monitor and pursue non-compliant influencers. Generic English hashtags (#ad, #sponsored) are not recognised as sufficient by German courts.

FAQ

Is #ad enough in Germany?

No — the local regulator (OLG / Wettbewerbszentrale / Landesmedienanstalten) explicitly rejects English-only hashtags. The disclosure must be in the local language. Use the generator above for the exact wording.

What law governs influencer disclosure in Germany?

UWG §5a (2022 amendment) + Medienstaatsvertrag §22 (5th amendment effective 1 October 2024) (2024), enforced by OLG / Wettbewerbszentrale / Landesmedienanstalten. Verstöße gegen § 5a UWG werden von Wettbewerbsverbänden zivilrechtlich durchgesetzt. Abmahnungen, Unterlassungsklagen und Vertragsstrafen sind die typischen Folgen. Die Wettbewerbszentrale betreibt aktiv Verfahren gegen nicht-konforme Influencer und Marken; Streitwerte regelmäßig im fünfstelligen Bereich.

Does gifted content require disclosure in Germany?

Yes. Werbung is the regulator-preferred wording. See the generator above for accepted alternatives.

Other EU countries

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