Impressum for your website and Instagram: mandatory business details

An Impressum is the mandatory information about whoever runs a commercial website or profile. In Germany the requirement applies under §5 of the Digital Services Act (DDG, which replaced the TMG in 2024) and covers, among others, business accounts on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
What an Impressum usually has to contain:

• name/company name and postal address (for sole traders — a real address, not just a P.O. box);
• a quick way to get in touch: an e-mail address and one more means of contact;
• if you have them — a Steuernummer or USt-IdNr (the VAT number is stated only if you have one);
• for regulated professions — the relevant supervisory authority details.

What matters for Kleinunternehmer:

• the requirements are the same as for other entrepreneurs; if you have no USt-IdNr, you do not have to state one;
• on Instagram the Impressum is placed as a link in the profile (for example, to a page on the website);
• a missing or incorrect Impressum carries the risk of an “Abmahnung” (a warning that comes with costs).

This is general guidance; the exact content depends on the form of your activity — check it against an official source or with a lawyer.