UNICORN PRIVATE Sanctions compliance in Austria: which rules apply and what companies must do
In short
In Austria, EU sanctions regulations apply directly, together with the Sanctions Act 2010 (Sanktionengesetz 2010).
The Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB) is the competent authority for financial sanctions.
Companies must not make funds or goods available to listed parties and should screen clients and suppliers regularly.
Applicable rules and competent authorities
EU sanctions regulations are binding in Austria without national transposition. The Sanctions Act 2010 (Sanktionengesetz 2010) sets the national rules and the penalties for breaches.
The Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB) is the competent authority for financial sanctions, such as asset freezes, reports and licences for payments.
Export controls on dual use goods follow the EU rules and the Foreign Trade Act 2011 (Außenwirtschaftsgesetz 2011), and licences are issued by the federal ministry responsible for the economy.
Practical duties for companies
- Do not make funds or economic resources available, directly or indirectly, to persons and entities listed by the EU.
- Screen clients, suppliers, owners and banks against the sanctions lists, also when the lists change.
- Report frozen funds to the OeNB and request licences when the EU regulations require it.
- Check whether your goods need an export licence, including dual use goods.
- Keep records of the checks you carried out and of the decisions taken.
Fines and penalties
Statutory maximums we verified on the official texts:
- European Union, Directive 2024/1226: fines on companies of at least 5% of worldwide turnover or €40,000,000, and prison terms of at least 5 years. (source)
Maximum amounts set by law, as published by the authorities linked, checked on October 29, 2026.
Official sources
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Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible for financial sanctions in Austria?
The Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB) is the competent authority for financial sanctions in Austria.
Which national law applies to sanctions in Austria?
The Sanctions Act 2010 (Sanktionengesetz 2010) sets the national rules and penalties, alongside the directly applicable EU regulations.
Do Austrian companies need to check the EU sanctions list?
Yes. EU sanctions apply to every company in Austria, so clients, suppliers and their owners should be screened against the EU list.
The program can make mistakes. The final responsibility for compliance stays with your company. Unicorn Intelligence is an information tool. Decisions and legal obligations, including sanctions compliance, due diligence and tender participation, remain with the customer.
Unicorn Intelligence checks your clients and suppliers against the sanctions lists every day.