Deposit Guarantee Austria 2025: How Your Money is Protected
How safe are your savings at Austrian banks? Everything about statutory deposit protection, coverage limits and what happens in an emergency.
Deposit Guarantee Austria 2025: How Your Money is Protected
Many people wonder how safe their savings are at banks. The good news: Austria has a statutory deposit guarantee scheme that protects savings up to a certain amount. In this guide, we explain how the system works.
⚠️ Notice: This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. For your personal situation, please consult a qualified advisor or contact your bank directly. As of: November 2025.
What is Deposit Guarantee?
Deposit guarantee is a statutory protection mechanism for bank deposits. If a bank becomes insolvent, savers receive their deposits back up to the coverage limit.
EU-wide Regulation
Deposit guarantee is uniformly regulated across the EU:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard Coverage | 100,000 Euro per person per bank |
| Increased Coverage (Special Cases) | Up to 500,000 Euro (12 months, e.g., property sale) |
| Payout Period | 7 working days after protection case |
| Legal Basis | EU Directive 2014/49/EU |
Which Deposits are Protected?
The statutory deposit guarantee in Austria covers:
- Savings accounts (including fixed-term deposits, overnight money)
- Current accounts (salary, pension and payment accounts)
- Savings contracts and similar deposits
Not covered:
- Securities (stocks, bonds, funds)
- Cryptocurrencies
- Life insurance
- Deposits at non-EU banks (unless EU-licensed)
Tip: Securities are not bank deposits – they belong to you and are transferred to another custodian bank in case of bank insolvency.
Deposit Guarantee in Austria
There are two guarantee schemes in Austria:
1. Einlagensicherung AUSTRIA (ESA)
ESA is responsible for most Austrian banks, including:
- Private banks
- Raiffeisen banks
- Volksbanken
- Hypo banks
2. s Haftungs GmbH
This institution covers the savings bank sector, especially:
- Erste Bank
- Sparkassen (savings banks)
Note: You can find out which guarantee scheme your bank belongs to by asking your bank or checking the respective institution's website.
What Happens in a Protection Case?
If a bank becomes insolvent:
- The Financial Market Authority (FMA) determines the protection case
- The responsible guarantee scheme is notified
- Within 7 working days covered deposits are paid out
- You don't need to do anything – payout happens automatically
Real-World Example
In 2021, a protection case occurred at Wiener AutoBank AG. According to their own statements, Einlagensicherung AUSTRIA (ESA) paid out more than 76 million Euro to around 5,900 depositors.
Tips for More Security
1. Consider Coverage Limits
For larger assets, it may make sense to spread deposits across multiple banks to optimally use the 100,000 Euro coverage limit per bank.
2. Joint Accounts
For joint accounts (e.g., spouses), the coverage limit applies separately to each account holder – so up to 200,000 Euro for two people.
3. Check EU Banks
Banks from other EU countries operating in Austria are also subject to European deposit guarantee. The coverage limit is also 100,000 Euro.
Further Information
For current and binding information, we recommend the following sources:
- Einlagensicherung AUSTRIA (ESA): einlagensicherung.at
- Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer): Information on deposit guarantee
- Financial Market Authority (FMA): fma.gv.at
Final Note: Deposit guarantee provides important basic protection for savers. For questions about your personal situation, contact your bank or an independent financial advisor. Legal regulations may change – check with official sources for the current status.
Disclaimer and Legal Information
No Financial or Legal Advice: The information provided on this website is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. It does not replace individual consultation with a professional expert.
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Information as of: November 2024. All information without warranty. Changes and errors excepted.