2026-04-22
Austria enacts the PRIIPs Enforcement Act to implement EU Regulation 1286/2014, designating the Financial Market Authority (FMA) as the competent supervisory authority and data collection body for financial institutions. The legislation mandates specific compliance obligations for pension products and grants the FMA extensive powers to enforce rules through supervisory measures, including prohibitions on marketing and public warnings. It establishes a robust penalty regime with fines up to EUR 5 million for legal persons and up to EUR 700,000 for responsible individuals, while ensuring transparency through mandatory publication of sanctions and protection for whistleblowers.
All English translation of the authentic German text is unofficial and serves merely information purposes. The official wording in German can be found in the Austrian Federal Law Gazette (Bundesgesetzblatt; BGBl.). All translations have been prepared with great care, but linguistic compromises had to be made. The reader should also bear in mind that some provisions of these laws will remain unclear without certain background knowledge of the Austrian legal and political system. Please note that these laws may be amended in the future and check occasionally for updates. Federal Act implementing Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 on key information documents for packaged retail and insurancebased investment products (PRIIPs) PRIIPs Enforcement Act (PRIIP-Vollzugsgesetz) Original Version: Federal Law Gazette I 15/2018 Amendments (in Federal Law Gazette I unless stated otherwise): 74/2022; 5/2026. Date: 22.04.2026
PRIIPs Enforcement Act (PRIIP-Vollzugsgesetz) 2 / 9 TEXT Purpose of this Act Article 1. The purpose of this Federal Act shall be to implement Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 on key information documents for packaged retail and insurance-based investment products (PRIIPs), published in OJ L 352, 09.12.2014, p. 1, most recently amended by Regulation (EU) 2023/2869 amending certain regulations as regards the establishment and functioning of the European single access point, OJ L 2023/2869, 20.12.2023. Pension products Article 2. (1) State-sponsored retirement provision contracts pursuant to Article 108g of the Income Tax Act 1988 (EStG 1988; Einkommensteuergesetz 1988) published in Federal Law Gazette I No. 400/1988, supplementary pension insurance pursuant to Article 108b para. 1 no. 4 EStG 1988 and contracts for future safeguarding pursuant to Article 3 para. 1 no. 15 lit. a EStG 1988 shall be considered as pension products pursuant to Article 2 (2) (e) of Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014. (2) In the case of contracts concluded after 30 September 2018 for state-sponsored retirement provision contracts pursuant to Article 108g EStG 1988 and supplementary pension insurance pursuant to Article 108b para. 1 no. 4 EStG 1988, pension fund facilities and insurance undertakings shall have to obtain from customers the information that is required in order to identify their needs and wishes, in particular with regard to their financial situation and their targets regarding old age provision, and to recommend the contract to the customer from the list of suitable contracts for the satisfaction of their wishes and needs, that best corresponds to their needs and wishes. Other obligations to provide advice set out under law remain unaffected. Competent authority and ESAP Collection Body Article 3. (1) The FMA is the competent authority for the monitoring of compliance with Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as well as for any delegated legal acts and Regulatory Technical Standards issued based upon it by the European Commission, resolutions issued by the EIOPA pursuant to Article 16 (1) of Regulation (EU) No. 1286/2014 as well as the Regulations issued by the FMA pursuant to Article 4 para. 3 in conjunction with Article 17 (1) of Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 by the following legal entities:
PRIIPs Enforcement Act (PRIIP-Vollzugsgesetz) 3 / 9 3. investment firms and investment services providers within the scope of their licence pursuant to the Securities Supervision Act 2018 (WAG 2018; Wertpapieraufsichtsgesetz 2018), published in Federal Law Gazette I No. 107/2017; 4. investment funds pursuant to the Investment Funds Act of 2011(InvFG 2011; Investmentfondsgesetz 2011), published in Federal Law Gazette I No. 77/2011; 5. real estate investment fund management companies pursuant to the Real Estate Investment Fund Act (ImmoInvFG; Immobilien-Investmentfondsgesetz), published in Federal Law Gazette I No. 80/2003, 6. AIFMs pursuant to the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Act (AIFMG; Alternative Investmentfonds Manager Gesetz). (2) In the enforcement of this Federal Act and Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014, the FMA shall act exclusively in the public interest. (3) The FMA is the collection body as defined in Article 2 point 2 of Regulation (EU) 2023/2859 pursuant to Article 29a (3) of Regulation (EU) 1286/2014. (4) The FMA shall be the collection point pursuant to Article 3 (2) of Regulation (EU) 2023/2859 for the collection of information submitted on a voluntary basis stated in Regulation (EU) No. 1286/2014. (5) The FMA is mandated as the controller under data protection law pursuant to Article 4 point 7 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation), OJ L 119, 04.05.2016, p. 1, in conjunction with the duties pursuant toparas. 3 and 4 as well as Article 29a (4) of Regulation (EU) 1286/2014 for processing of personal data as defined in the General Data Protection Regulation. Supervisory measures and powers Article 4. (1) The FMA shall be afforded the supervisory powers and means pursuant to Article 3 para. 1 to the same way and scope as set out in the relevant supervisory laws, that it may also make use of in the enforcement of other obligations in accordance with these supervisory laws. (2) The FMA shall be authorised within the scope of its competence pursuant to Article 3paras. 1 and 3 in cases of infringements by legal entities against Article 5 (1), Article 6, Article 7, Article 8 (1) to (3), Article 9, Article 10 (1), Article 13 (1), (3) und (4), Article 14, Article 19, and Article 29a (1) of Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014:
PRIIPs Enforcement Act (PRIIP-Vollzugsgesetz) 4 / 9 3. to prohibit the marketing of a packaged retail and insurance-based investment product (PRIIP) pursuant to Article 4 (3) of Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014; 4. to suspend the marketing of a PRIIP pursuant to Article 4(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014; 5. to issue a public warning containing information about the person responsible for the infringement and the type of infringement. (3) The FMA shall be authorised, within its scope of its competence pursuant to Article 3 para. 1 no. 2, to define supervisory measures pursuant to Article 17 (1) of Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 by means of a Regulation or an administrative decision. (4) The FMA shall be authorised, within its scope of its competence pursuant to Article 3 para. 1 no. 1, provided that it relates to insurance mediation activities pursuant to Article 21 para. 1 no. 8 BWG in conjunction with Article 137 of the Commercial Code 1994 (GewO 1994; Gewerbeordnung 1994), published in Federal Law Gazette No 194/1994, to define supervisory measures pursuant to Article 17 para. 1 lit. a of Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 by means of a Regulation or an administrative decision. (5) For the performance of duties pursuant to Article 3 para. 1, the FMA shall be authorised to request information and documentation of any kind and to receive copies thereof from all natural and legal persons that are authorised on the basis of regulations contained in Federal Acts to advise about PRIIPs, or to offer or sell a PRIIP. (6) The FMA may also make use of its powers pursuant to para. 1 exclusively for the purposes of cooperation or exchange of information in accordance with Article 22 of Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014, even if the conduct, that is subject of the investigation does not constitute a breach of a regulation applicable in Austria. (7) The FMA may determine, by means of a Regulation, a specific format, additional meta data to be included and the submission modalities for the submission of data pursuant to Article 3 para. 4 and Article 29a (1) of Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014, if this appears expedient taking into consideration rules under European Union law. Penal provisions Article 5. (1) Any person who, as the person responsible (Article 9 Administrative Penal Act (VStG; Verwaltungsstrafgesetz 1991), published in Federal Law Gazette No. 52/1991) of a legal entity pursuant to Article 3 para. 1 nos. 1 to 6:
PRIIPs Enforcement Act (PRIIP-Vollzugsgesetz) 5 / 9 4. breaches Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 by making claims in advertising materials that contradict the information contained in the key information document or which downgrades the importance of the key information document or omits, or incorrectly or incompletely includes the necessary information; or 5. breaches Article 10 (1) of Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 by not regularly reviewing and revising a key information document or not making such a key information document available without delay; or 6. breaches Article 13 (1), (3) and (4) or Article 14 of Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014, by not making a key information document available, not making one available in a timely manner, or not making one available in the prescribed manner; or 7. breaches Article 19 of Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014, by not having, or by not having in the prescribed manner, suitable procedures and provisions for the submission and responding to complaints, which guarantee that effective complaints handling procedure are available to retail investors in the event of cross-border disputes, commits an administrative offence, and shall be fined up to EUR 700 000 by the FMA or up to double the amount of the gain arising from the breach or any loss avoided from the breach, where this amount is able to be determined. (2) Any person who, as the person responsible (Article 9 VStG) of a legal entity, breaches pursuant to Article 3 para. 1 EIOPA resolutions pursuant to Article 16 (1) of Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014, commits an administrative offence, and shall be fined up to EUR 70 000 by the FMA. Penal provisions with regard to legal persons Article 6. (1) The FMA may impose fines on legal persons if persons who acted individually or as part of a body of a legal person and who have a managerial role within the legal person on the basis of:
PRIIPs Enforcement Act (PRIIP-Vollzugsgesetz) 6 / 9 The total annual turnover pursuant to no. 2 shall be determined on the basis of the most recently adopted annual financial statement. Where the legal person is a parent undertaking or a subsidiary of a parent undertaking, which is required to draw up a consolidated financial statement in accordance with Directive 2013/34/EU on the annual financial statements, consolidated financial statements and related reports of certain types of undertakings, amending Directive 2006/43/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Directives 78/660/EEC and 83/349/EEC, OJ L 182, 29.06.2013, p. 19, then the authoritative total annual turnover is the total annual turnover of the relevant type of income according to the relevant accounting provisions, that was stated in the last available consolidated accounts adopted by the competent body of the ultimate parent undertaking. Where the FMA is unable to determine or calculate the bases for the total annual turnover, then it shall estimate them. In so doing, all relevant circumstances shall be taken into account that are relevant for the estimate. (4) Anyone who breaches Article 29a (1) of Regulation (EU) No. 1286/2014 by failing to submit the key information document stated in Article 5 (1) or Regulation (EU) No. 1286/2014 or failing to submit it to the FMA in the prescribed manner at the same time as the publication of this key information document, or which breaches Article 29a (2) of Regulation (EU) No. 1286/2014, commits an administrative offence and shall be punished by the FMA with a fine of up to EUR 60 000. Effective punishment of breaches Article 7. When determining the type of a supervisory measure pursuant to Article 4 or a fine pursuant to Articles 5 and 6 as well as the calculation of the fine, where appropriate the circumstances listed in particular in Article 25 of Regulation (EU) 1286/2014 are to be taken into account. The provisions of the VStG remain unaffected. Information to retail investors Article 8. If the FMA has imposed one or several fines pursuant to Article 5 para. 1 nos. 1 to 7 and Article 6paras. 1 and 2, or has taken one or several supervisory measures pursuant to Article 4 para. 2, then it shall
PRIIPs Enforcement Act (PRIIP-Vollzugsgesetz) 7 / 9 (2) The party affected by a publication may file a request to the FMA for verification of the lawfulness of such a publication in a procedure concluded by means of an administrative decision. In this case, the FMA shall announce the initiation of such proceedings in the same way as the original publication. If, in the course of this review, it is found that the publication was unlawful, the FMA shall correct the publication or, at the request of the person subject to this publication, either revoke it or remove it from its official website. (3) In the event that an appeal is lodged against the decision underlying the publication pursuant to para. 1, then both this and the outcome of this procedure shall be published in the same manner as the original publication. In the event that suspensory effect is granted for such an appeal in a procedure in a court of law, then the FMA shall also make this known. If the appeal is granted, then the FMA shall correct the publication pursuant to para. 1 or shall at the request of the person subject to this publication, either revoke it or remove it from its official website. (4) If a publication pursuant to para. 1 is not required to be removed from the FMA's official website, then it shall remain published for a period of five years. Publication of the personal data shall however only be maintained for as long as none of the criteria for an anonymised publication are fulfilled. (5)paras. 2 to 4 shall also apply to announcement of an administrative decision pursuant to Article 17 (5) of Regulation (EU) No. 1286/2014.paras. 2 and 4 shall also apply to publications pursuant to Article 4 para. 2 no. 5. Notifications to the European Supervisory Authorities Article 10. (1) The FMA shall submit summarised information to the respective competent European Supervisory Authority annually about all supervisory measures taken pursuant to Article 4 para. 2 nos. 2 to 5 as well as all fines imposed pursuant to Articles 5 and 6. (2) Where the FMA has published imposed fines and supervisory measures that are legally final pursuant to Article 9 para. 1, then it shall also inform the respective competent European Supervisory Authority at the same time. Reporting sanctions to ESMA Article 11. (1) The FMA shall have the effective mechanisms listed in Article 28 (2) (a) to (c) of Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 in place, to encourage the notification of breaches or a the suspicion of a breach that infringes against Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014. (2) Employees that report breaches against Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 to the FMA shall neither be allowed as a consequence
PRIIPs Enforcement Act (PRIIP-Vollzugsgesetz) 8 / 9 unless the report was intentionally falsely submitted. The employer or a third party shall only have a claim for compensation in the case of a report that was clearly incorrect, which was made by the employee with a clear intention of causing damage. The authorisation to make such reports shall not be allowed to be contractually restricted. Agreements to the contrary shall not be effective. Special procedural provisions Article 12. Fines imposed by the FMA pursuant to this federal act shall flow to the Federal Government. Costs Article 13. The costs of the FMA arising from its activity as the competent authority shall be assigned
PRIIPs Enforcement Act (PRIIP-Vollzugsgesetz) 9 / 9 3. Regulation (EU) 2023/2859 establishing a European single access point providing centralised access to publicly available information of relevance to financial services, capital markets and sustainability, OJ L 2023/2859, 20.12.2023, in the version of the Directive (EU) 2024/1760, OJ L 2024/1760, 05.07.2024. Entry into force and transitional provisions Article 17. Article 1, the heading for Article 3, Article 3paras. 3 to 5 Article 4paras. 2, 4 and 7, Article 6paras. 3 and 4 and Article 16 in the version of the Federal Act amended in Federal Law Gazette I No. 5/2026 shall enter into force on the following day after publication. The FMA shall inform the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) by 9 January 2028 that it is the collection body as defined in Article 2 point 2 of Regulation (EU) 2023/2859 pursuant to Article 29a (3) of Regulation (EU) No. 1286/2014. The FMA shall inform ESMA by 9 January 2030 that it is the collection body pursuant Article 3 (2) of Regulation (EU) 2023/2859 for the collection of information on a voluntary basis listed in Regulation (EU) No. 1286/2014.