An Impressum is a legal notice saying who runs a business. It's a German requirement, so this answer applies to businesses in Germany. As of November 2026.
Why does it apply to a small café?
Because size doesn't matter, business use does. The Koblenz chamber of commerce (IHK) lists company pages on Instagram and Facebook by name. Only purely private pages with no business connection are exempt. A profile showing your café, your hours and your dishes isn't private.
Nobody has to be on Instagram at all, of course. But if you are, you say who's behind the profile.
What has to be in it?
The required details are in Section 5 DDG. The IHK page also offers templates.
| Detail | When |
|---|---|
| Name and full address | Always. Companies also add legal form and who represents them. |
| Fast electronic contact, including email | Always. The IHK also names a phone number. |
| Commercial register and number | If you're registered. |
| VAT ID or business ID | If you have one. |
| Supervisory authority | If your activity needs official approval. If you're unsure what that covers for you, ask the IHK. |
Where does it go on Instagram?
In the bio, as a link to a page with your details. Section 5 says the information must be easy to recognise and directly reachable. The Koblenz IHK asks for a clearly named link using the word "Impressum" or "Kontakt", reachable in two clicks at most. In its view, other words or hidden links don't do the job.
- Write the word Impressum visibly in the bio and add the link.
- Try the route yourself on a phone without being logged in.
- Check the Impressum is still reachable every time you change that link.
A small page is enough for this. Whether you need a website on top of that is another question, answered in does my café need a website?.
How do you get an Impressum into your bio without a website?
With a page that already holds your details. With NFCeez it works like this: your Smart Page shows your business's legal details as an Impressum. You put the page's address in your bio and write the word Impressum next to it. The same page carries your opening hours, your links and the link to your Google review. The limit: you check yourself that the details are complete, using the table above, and if you're unsure whether this route is enough in your case, the IHK can tell you. The Smart Page shows what it looks like.
What happens if it's missing?
A possible fine, and more likely warning letters. Not providing the details, or giving wrong or incomplete ones, is an administrative offence under Section 33 DDG, with fines up to 50,000 euros. That's the ceiling, not the usual amount. The IHK also points to formal warnings (Abmahnungen) from competitors or associations.
Your next step: open your profile on your phone now, tap through to your Impressum and count the clicks. If it's more than two, change the link today.
How NFCeez does thisOne link in your bio, with an Impressum.Your Smart Page shows your business's legal details as an Impressum, along with your opening hours, your links and the way to your Google review.See how it works
