diff --git a/frontend/e2e/header.spec.ts b/frontend/e2e/header.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8317c742
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/e2e/header.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+import { test, expect } from '@playwright/test';
+import AxeBuilder from '@axe-core/playwright';
+
+// #012851 — brand-navy, defined as --c-primary in layout.css
+const BRAND_NAVY = 'rgb(1, 40, 81)';
+
+test.describe('Header — brand-navy background', () => {
+	test('header background is brand-navy in light mode', async ({ page }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+		await expect(page.getByRole('navigation')).toBeVisible();
+
+		const bg = await page.locator('header').evaluate((el) => getComputedStyle(el).backgroundColor);
+		expect(bg).toBe(BRAND_NAVY);
+	});
+
+	test('header passes accessibility audit in light mode', async ({ page }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+		await expect(page.getByRole('navigation')).toBeVisible();
+
+		const results = await new AxeBuilder({ page }).include('header').analyze();
+		expect(results.violations).toEqual([]);
+	});
+
+	test('header background stays brand-navy after switching to dark mode', async ({ page }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+		await expect(page.getByRole('navigation')).toBeVisible();
+
+		await page
+			.getByRole('banner')
+			.getByRole('button', { name: /dark mode/i })
+			.click();
+		await expect(page.locator('html')).toHaveAttribute('data-theme', 'dark');
+
+		const bg = await page.locator('header').evaluate((el) => getComputedStyle(el).backgroundColor);
+		expect(bg).toBe(BRAND_NAVY);
+	});
+
+	test('header passes accessibility audit in dark mode', async ({ page }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+		await expect(page.getByRole('navigation')).toBeVisible();
+
+		await page
+			.getByRole('banner')
+			.getByRole('button', { name: /dark mode/i })
+			.click();
+		await expect(page.locator('html')).toHaveAttribute('data-theme', 'dark');
+
+		const results = await new AxeBuilder({ page }).include('header').analyze();
+		expect(results.violations).toEqual([]);
+	});
+
+	test('logo text is visible at 375px viewport', async ({ page }) => {
+		await page.setViewportSize({ width: 375, height: 812 });
+		await page.goto('/');
+
+		await expect(page.getByRole('banner').getByText('Familienarchiv')).toBeVisible();
+	});
+
+	test('hamburger menu opens on tablet viewport (768px)', async ({ page }) => {
+		await page.setViewportSize({ width: 768, height: 1024 });
+		await page.goto('/');
+		await expect(page.getByRole('navigation')).toBeVisible();
+
+		const hamburger = page.getByRole('button', { name: /menü öffnen/i });
+		await expect(hamburger).toBeVisible();
+		await hamburger.click();
+
+		await expect(
+			page.getByRole('navigation', { name: /mobile/i }).or(page.locator('#mobile-nav'))
+		).toBeVisible();
+	});
+});
+
+test.describe('Login page — AuthHeader', () => {
+	test.use({ storageState: { cookies: [], origins: [] } });
+
+	test('login page has brand-navy header with language switcher', async ({ page }) => {
+		await page.goto('/login');
+
+		const header = page.locator('header');
+		await expect(header).toBeVisible();
+
+		const bg = await header.evaluate((el) => getComputedStyle(el).backgroundColor);
+		expect(bg).toBe(BRAND_NAVY);
+
+		await expect(header.getByRole('button', { name: 'DE' })).toBeVisible();
+	});
+
+	test('login page header passes accessibility audit', async ({ page }) => {
+		await page.goto('/login');
+		await expect(page.locator('header')).toBeVisible();
+
+		const results = await new AxeBuilder({ page }).include('header').analyze();
+		expect(results.violations).toEqual([]);
+	});
+});
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/LanguageSwitcher.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/LanguageSwitcher.svelte
index e14029db..314fb54c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/LanguageSwitcher.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/LanguageSwitcher.svelte
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 <script lang="ts">
 import { setLocale, getLocale } from '$lib/paraglide/runtime';
 
+let { inverted = false }: { inverted?: boolean } = $props();
+
 const locales = ['DE', 'EN', 'ES'] as const;
 const localeMap = { DE: 'de', EN: 'en', ES: 'es' } as const;
 const activeLocale = $derived(getLocale().toUpperCase());
@@ -10,8 +12,14 @@ const activeLocale = $derived(getLocale().toUpperCase());
 	<button
 		type="button"
 		onclick={() => setLocale(localeMap[locale])}
-		class="font-sans tracking-widest transition-colors
-               {activeLocale === locale ? 'font-bold text-ink' : 'font-normal text-ink-3 hover:text-ink'}"
+		class="rounded px-1 font-sans tracking-widest transition-colors focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent
+               {activeLocale === locale
+			? inverted
+				? 'font-bold text-white'
+				: 'font-bold text-ink'
+			: inverted
+				? 'font-normal text-white/70 hover:text-white'
+				: 'font-normal text-ink-3 hover:text-ink'}"
 	>
 		{locale}
 	</button>
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/LanguageSwitcher.svelte.spec.ts b/frontend/src/lib/components/LanguageSwitcher.svelte.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..41e2df24
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/LanguageSwitcher.svelte.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest';
+import { cleanup, render } from 'vitest-browser-svelte';
+import { page } from 'vitest/browser';
+import LanguageSwitcher from './LanguageSwitcher.svelte';
+
+const mockSetLocale = vi.hoisted(() => vi.fn());
+
+vi.mock('$lib/paraglide/runtime', () => ({
+	getLocale: vi.fn(() => 'de'),
+	setLocale: mockSetLocale
+}));
+
+beforeEach(() => mockSetLocale.mockClear());
+afterEach(cleanup);
+
+// ─── inverted=true (dark background) ──────────────────────────────────────
+
+describe('LanguageSwitcher – inverted=true', () => {
+	it('active locale button has text-white and font-bold', async () => {
+		render(LanguageSwitcher, { inverted: true });
+
+		const el = await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'DE' }).element();
+
+		expect(el.className).toMatch(/\btext-white\b/);
+		expect(el.className).toMatch(/\bfont-bold\b/);
+	});
+
+	it('inactive locale buttons have text-white/70', async () => {
+		render(LanguageSwitcher, { inverted: true });
+
+		const el = await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'EN' }).element();
+
+		expect(el.className).toMatch(/text-white\/70/);
+	});
+
+	it('inactive locale buttons do not have font-bold', async () => {
+		render(LanguageSwitcher, { inverted: true });
+
+		const el = await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'EN' }).element();
+
+		expect(el.className).not.toMatch(/\bfont-bold\b/);
+	});
+});
+
+// ─── inverted=false (light background) ─────────────────────────────────────
+
+describe('LanguageSwitcher – inverted=false', () => {
+	it('active locale button has text-ink and font-bold', async () => {
+		render(LanguageSwitcher, { inverted: false });
+
+		const el = await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'DE' }).element();
+
+		expect(el.className).toMatch(/\btext-ink\b/);
+		expect(el.className).toMatch(/\bfont-bold\b/);
+	});
+
+	it('inactive locale buttons have text-ink-3', async () => {
+		render(LanguageSwitcher, { inverted: false });
+
+		const el = await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'EN' }).element();
+
+		expect(el.className).toMatch(/\btext-ink-3\b/);
+	});
+
+	it('inactive locale buttons do not have text-white', async () => {
+		render(LanguageSwitcher, { inverted: false });
+
+		const el = await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'EN' }).element();
+
+		expect(el.className).not.toMatch(/\btext-white\b/);
+	});
+});
+
+// ─── locale switching ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+describe('LanguageSwitcher – locale switching', () => {
+	it('calls setLocale with en when EN button is clicked', async () => {
+		render(LanguageSwitcher, { inverted: false });
+
+		const el = await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'EN' }).element();
+		el.click();
+
+		expect(mockSetLocale).toHaveBeenCalledWith('en');
+	});
+
+	it('calls setLocale with es when ES button is clicked', async () => {
+		render(LanguageSwitcher, { inverted: false });
+
+		const el = await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'ES' }).element();
+		el.click();
+
+		expect(mockSetLocale).toHaveBeenCalledWith('es');
+	});
+});
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/NotificationBell.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/NotificationBell.svelte
index cb62dbfa..30219dce 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/NotificationBell.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/NotificationBell.svelte
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ onDestroy(() => {
 			: m.notification_bell_label()}
 		aria-expanded={open}
 		aria-haspopup="true"
-		class="relative rounded-sm p-2 text-ink-2 transition-colors hover:text-ink focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent"
+		class="relative rounded-sm p-2 text-white/65 transition-colors hover:bg-white/10 hover:text-white focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent"
 	>
 		<!-- Bell SVG -->
 		<svg
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/ThemeToggle.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/ThemeToggle.svelte
index de85adb1..dd749944 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/ThemeToggle.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/ThemeToggle.svelte
@@ -31,12 +31,12 @@ function toggle() {
 	onclick={toggle}
 	aria-label={theme === 'dark' ? 'light mode' : 'dark mode'}
 	title={theme === 'dark' ? 'light mode' : 'dark mode'}
-	class="rounded p-1.5 text-ink-2 transition-colors hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink"
+	class="rounded p-1.5 text-white/65 transition-colors hover:bg-white/10 hover:text-white focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent"
 >
 	{#if theme === 'dark'}
 		<!-- Sun icon — click to go light -->
 		<svg
-			class="h-4 w-4"
+			class="h-5 w-5"
 			viewBox="0 0 24 24"
 			fill="none"
 			stroke="currentColor"
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ function toggle() {
 	{:else}
 		<!-- Moon icon — click to go dark -->
 		<svg
-			class="h-4 w-4"
+			class="h-5 w-5"
 			viewBox="0 0 24 24"
 			fill="none"
 			stroke="currentColor"
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/+layout.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/+layout.svelte
index 7a1df195..c25a1abe 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/+layout.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/+layout.svelte
@@ -35,7 +35,8 @@ const userInitials = $derived.by(() => {
 
 <div class="min-h-screen bg-canvas" data-hydrated={hydrated || undefined}>
 	{#if !isAuthPage}
-		<header class="sticky top-0 z-50 border-b border-line-2 bg-header">
+		<header class="sticky top-0 z-50 bg-header">
+			<div class="h-1 bg-accent"></div>
 			<div class="mx-auto max-w-7xl px-4 sm:px-6 lg:px-8">
 				<div class="flex h-16 justify-between">
 					<!-- Logo & Nav -->
@@ -45,9 +46,9 @@ const userInitials = $derived.by(() => {
 					<div class="flex items-center gap-3">
 						<!-- Language selector (desktop only — mobile lives in nav drawer) -->
 						<div
-							class="hidden items-center gap-1 border-r border-line pr-3 sm:flex [&_button]:px-1.5 [&_button]:py-1 [&_button]:text-xs"
+							class="hidden items-center gap-1 pr-3 lg:flex [&_button]:px-1.5 [&_button]:py-1 [&_button]:text-xs"
 						>
-							<LanguageSwitcher />
+							<LanguageSwitcher inverted />
 						</div>
 
 						<!-- Theme toggle -->
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/AppNav.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/AppNav.svelte
index 8e17dbed..32fce2e3 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/AppNav.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/AppNav.svelte
@@ -28,53 +28,53 @@ function handleOverlayKeydown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
 }
 </script>
 
-<div class="flex items-center">
-	<div class="mr-10 hidden flex-shrink-0 items-center md:flex">
+<div class="flex items-stretch">
+	<div class="mr-10 flex flex-shrink-0 items-center">
 		<a href="/" class="flex items-center" aria-label="Familienarchiv">
-			<span class="font-sans text-xl font-bold tracking-widest text-ink uppercase"
+			<span class="font-sans text-xl font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase"
 				>Familienarchiv</span
 			>
 		</a>
 	</div>
 
 	<!-- Desktop nav -->
-	<nav class="hidden items-center sm:flex sm:space-x-1">
+	<nav class="hidden items-stretch lg:flex lg:space-x-1">
 		<a
 			href="/"
-			class="inline-flex items-center px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors
+			class="my-2 inline-flex items-center px-3 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors focus:outline-none focus-visible:rounded focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent
                    {page.url.pathname === '/' || page.url.pathname.startsWith('/documents')
-                    ? 'rounded bg-nav-active text-ink'
-                    : 'rounded text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
+				? 'border-b-2 border-accent text-white'
+				: 'text-white/70 hover:text-white'}"
 		>
 			{m.nav_documents()}
 		</a>
 
 		<a
 			href="/persons"
-			class="inline-flex items-center px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors
+			class="my-2 inline-flex items-center px-3 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors focus:outline-none focus-visible:rounded focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent
                    {page.url.pathname.startsWith('/persons')
-                    ? 'rounded bg-nav-active text-ink'
-                    : 'rounded text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
+				? 'border-b-2 border-accent text-white'
+				: 'text-white/70 hover:text-white'}"
 		>
 			{m.nav_persons()}
 		</a>
 
 		<a
 			href="/korrespondenz"
-			class="inline-flex items-center px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors
+			class="my-2 inline-flex items-center px-3 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors focus:outline-none focus-visible:rounded focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent
                    {page.url.pathname.startsWith('/korrespondenz')
-                    ? 'rounded bg-nav-active text-ink'
-                    : 'rounded text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
+				? 'border-b-2 border-accent text-white'
+				: 'text-white/70 hover:text-white'}"
 		>
 			{m.nav_conversations()}
 		</a>
 		{#if isAdmin}
 			<a
 				href="/admin"
-				class="inline-flex items-center px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors
+				class="my-2 inline-flex items-center px-3 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors focus:outline-none focus-visible:rounded focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent
                    {page.url.pathname.startsWith('/admin')
-                        ? 'rounded bg-nav-active text-ink'
-                        : 'rounded text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
+					? 'border-b-2 border-accent text-white'
+					: 'text-white/70 hover:text-white'}"
 			>
 				{m.nav_admin()}
 			</a>
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ function handleOverlayKeydown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
 
 	<!-- Hamburger toggle (mobile only) -->
 	<button
-		class="ml-auto flex h-11 w-11 items-center justify-center rounded text-ink-2 transition-colors hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink sm:hidden"
+		class="ml-auto flex h-11 w-11 items-center justify-center self-center rounded text-white/70 transition-colors hover:bg-white/10 hover:text-white focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent lg:hidden"
 		aria-label={mobileNavOpen ? 'Menü schließen' : 'Menü öffnen'}
 		aria-expanded={mobileNavOpen}
 		aria-controls="mobile-nav"
@@ -131,41 +131,41 @@ function handleOverlayKeydown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
 <!-- Mobile nav overlay -->
 {#if mobileNavOpen}
 	<!-- svelte-ignore a11y_no_static_element_interactions -->
-	<div class="fixed inset-0 top-[68px] z-40 sm:hidden" onkeydown={handleOverlayKeydown}>
+	<div class="fixed inset-0 top-[68px] z-40 lg:hidden" onkeydown={handleOverlayKeydown}>
 		<!-- Backdrop -->
 		<!-- svelte-ignore a11y_click_events_have_key_events -->
 		<!-- svelte-ignore a11y_no_static_element_interactions -->
 		<div class="absolute inset-0 bg-black/20" onclick={closeMobileNav}></div>
 
-		<!-- Panel -->
+		<!-- Panel — white background with navy text (reverses the dark header) -->
 		<div class="relative border-b border-line bg-surface shadow-md">
 			<nav id="mobile-nav">
 				<a
 					href="/"
-					class="block flex min-h-[44px] w-full items-center px-4 py-3 font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors
+					class="block flex min-h-[44px] w-full items-center px-4 py-3 font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent focus-visible:ring-inset
                            {page.url.pathname === '/' || page.url.pathname.startsWith('/documents')
-                            ? 'bg-nav-active text-ink'
-                            : 'text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
+						? 'bg-accent-bg text-ink'
+						: 'text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
 				>
 					{m.nav_documents()}
 				</a>
 
 				<a
 					href="/persons"
-					class="block flex min-h-[44px] w-full items-center px-4 py-3 font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors
+					class="block flex min-h-[44px] w-full items-center px-4 py-3 font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent focus-visible:ring-inset
                            {page.url.pathname.startsWith('/persons')
-                            ? 'bg-nav-active text-ink'
-                            : 'text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
+						? 'bg-accent-bg text-ink'
+						: 'text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
 				>
 					{m.nav_persons()}
 				</a>
 
 				<a
 					href="/korrespondenz"
-					class="block flex min-h-[44px] w-full items-center px-4 py-3 font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors
+					class="block flex min-h-[44px] w-full items-center px-4 py-3 font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent focus-visible:ring-inset
                            {page.url.pathname.startsWith('/korrespondenz')
-                            ? 'bg-nav-active text-ink'
-                            : 'text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
+						? 'bg-accent-bg text-ink'
+						: 'text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
 				>
 					{m.nav_conversations()}
 				</a>
@@ -173,10 +173,10 @@ function handleOverlayKeydown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
 				{#if isAdmin}
 					<a
 						href="/admin"
-						class="block flex min-h-[44px] w-full items-center px-4 py-3 font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors
+						class="block flex min-h-[44px] w-full items-center px-4 py-3 font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest uppercase transition-colors focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent focus-visible:ring-inset
                                {page.url.pathname.startsWith('/admin')
-                                ? 'bg-nav-active text-ink'
-                                : 'text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
+							? 'bg-accent-bg text-ink'
+							: 'text-ink-2 hover:bg-muted hover:text-ink'}"
 					>
 						{m.nav_admin()}
 					</a>
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/AuthHeader.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/AuthHeader.svelte
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6e8aafd6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/AuthHeader.svelte
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+<script lang="ts">
+import LanguageSwitcher from '$lib/components/LanguageSwitcher.svelte';
+</script>
+
+<header class="bg-brand-navy">
+	<div class="h-1 bg-accent"></div>
+	<div class="mx-auto max-w-7xl px-4 sm:px-6 lg:px-8">
+		<div class="flex h-12 items-center justify-between">
+			<a href="/" class="flex items-center" aria-label="Familienarchiv">
+				<span class="font-sans text-sm font-bold tracking-widest text-white uppercase"
+					>Familienarchiv</span
+				>
+			</a>
+			<div class="flex items-center gap-1">
+				<LanguageSwitcher inverted />
+			</div>
+		</div>
+	</div>
+</header>
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/UserMenu.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/UserMenu.svelte
index dca5e916..5da50c54 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/UserMenu.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/UserMenu.svelte
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ function clickOutside(node: HTMLElement) {
 			aria-expanded={userMenuOpen}
 			aria-haspopup="true"
 			onclick={() => (userMenuOpen = !userMenuOpen)}
-			class="flex h-8 w-8 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary font-sans text-xs font-bold text-primary-fg transition-opacity hover:opacity-80"
+			class="flex h-8 w-8 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-brand-mint font-sans text-xs font-bold text-brand-navy transition-opacity hover:opacity-80 focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent"
 		>
 			{userInitials}
 		</button>
@@ -44,13 +44,13 @@ function clickOutside(node: HTMLElement) {
 			aria-expanded={userMenuOpen}
 			aria-haspopup="true"
 			onclick={() => (userMenuOpen = !userMenuOpen)}
-			class="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 px-3 py-2 font-sans text-xs font-bold tracking-widest text-ink-3 uppercase transition-colors hover:text-ink"
+			class="group rounded-sm p-2 transition-colors hover:bg-white/10 focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-accent"
 		>
 			<img
 				src="/degruyter-icons/Simple/Small-16px/SVG/Action/Account-SM.svg"
 				alt=""
 				aria-hidden="true"
-				class="h-4 w-4 opacity-50"
+				class="h-5 w-5 opacity-65 brightness-0 invert transition-opacity group-hover:opacity-100"
 			/>
 		</button>
 	{/if}
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/forgot-password/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/forgot-password/+page.svelte
index 9512fd84..2bd994d0 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/forgot-password/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/forgot-password/+page.svelte
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 <script lang="ts">
 import { m } from '$lib/paraglide/messages.js';
+import AuthHeader from '../AuthHeader.svelte';
 
 let { form }: { form?: { error?: string; success?: boolean } } = $props();
 </script>
 
-<div class="relative flex min-h-screen flex-col bg-surface">
+<div class="flex min-h-screen flex-col bg-canvas">
+	<AuthHeader />
 	<div class="flex flex-1 items-center justify-center px-4">
 		<div class="w-full max-w-sm">
 			<!-- Logo -->
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/layout.css b/frontend/src/routes/layout.css
index 2fcbe95a..41486cc6 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/layout.css
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/layout.css
@@ -48,9 +48,6 @@
 	--color-primary: var(--c-primary);
 	--color-primary-fg: var(--c-primary-fg);
 
-	/* Nav active state */
-	--color-nav-active: var(--c-nav-active);
-
 	/* PDF viewer */
 	--color-pdf-bg: var(--c-pdf-bg);
 	--color-pdf-ctrl: var(--c-pdf-ctrl);
@@ -87,10 +84,8 @@
 	--c-primary: #012851;
 	--c-primary-fg: #ffffff;
 
-	--c-nav-active: rgba(180, 185, 255, 0.15);
-
-	/* Header matches surface in light mode; overridden in dark mode for elevation */
-	--c-header: #ffffff;
+	/* Header is brand-navy in light mode; same in dark mode for contrast compliance */
+	--c-header: #012851;
 
 	--c-pdf-bg: #ebebeb;
 	--c-pdf-ctrl: #d8d8d8;
@@ -125,8 +120,6 @@
 		--c-primary: #a1dcd8;
 		--c-primary-fg: #012851;
 
-		--c-nav-active: rgba(180, 185, 255, 0.12);
-
 		/* Header at brand-navy: 4.99:1 with ink-3 (WCAG AA ✓), visually above canvas */
 		--c-header: #012851;
 
@@ -159,8 +152,6 @@
 	--c-primary: #a1dcd8;
 	--c-primary-fg: #012851;
 
-	--c-nav-active: rgba(180, 185, 255, 0.12);
-
 	/* Header at brand-navy: 4.99:1 with ink-3 (WCAG AA ✓), visually above canvas */
 	--c-header: #012851;
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/login/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/login/+page.svelte
index 598cf318..c241fc9d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/login/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/login/+page.svelte
@@ -1,34 +1,16 @@
 <script lang="ts">
 import { m } from '$lib/paraglide/messages.js';
-import { setLocale, getLocale } from '$lib/paraglide/runtime';
+import AuthHeader from '../AuthHeader.svelte';
 
 let { form }: { form?: { error?: string; success?: boolean } } = $props();
-
-const locales = ['DE', 'EN', 'ES'] as const;
-const localeMap = { DE: 'de', EN: 'en', ES: 'es' } as const;
-const activeLocale = $derived(getLocale().toUpperCase());
 </script>
 
 <svelte:head>
 	<title>{m.page_title_login()}</title>
 </svelte:head>
 
-<div class="relative flex min-h-screen flex-col bg-canvas">
-	<!-- Language switcher -->
-	<div class="absolute top-4 right-4 flex items-center gap-1">
-		{#each locales as locale (locale)}
-			<button
-				type="button"
-				onclick={() => setLocale(localeMap[locale])}
-				class="px-1.5 py-1 font-sans text-xs tracking-widest transition-colors
-                    {activeLocale === locale
-                        ? 'font-bold text-ink'
-                        : 'font-normal text-ink-3 hover:text-ink'}"
-			>
-				{locale}
-			</button>
-		{/each}
-	</div>
+<div class="flex min-h-screen flex-col bg-canvas">
+	<AuthHeader />
 
 	<div class="flex flex-1 items-center justify-center px-4">
 		<div class="w-full max-w-sm">