{"id":151542,"date":"2026-10-08T09:23:57","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T09:23:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/?post_type=comparative_guide&#038;p=151542"},"modified":"2026-10-12T08:48:32","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T08:48:32","slug":"austria-merger-control","status":"publish","type":"comparative_guide","link":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/chapter\/austria-merger-control\/","title":{"rendered":"Austria: Merger Control"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-151542","comparative_guide","type-comparative_guide","status-publish","hentry","guides-merger-control","jurisdictions-austria"],"acf":[],"appp":{"post_list":{"below_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">Schindler Attorneys<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2019\/03\/SchindlerAttorneys_Logo-1.jpg\"\/><\/span><\/div>"},"post_detail":{"above_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">Schindler Attorneys<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2019\/03\/SchindlerAttorneys_Logo-1.jpg\"\/><\/span><\/div>","below_title":"<span class=\"guide-intro\">This country specific Q&amp;A provides an overview of Merger Control laws and regulations applicable in Austria<\/span><div class=\"guide-content\"><div class=\"filter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" placeholder=\"Search questions and answers...\" class=\"filter-container__search-field\">\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<ol class=\"custom-counter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Overview<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The Austrian merger control regime is mainly governed by the Austrian Cartel Act 2005 (Kartellgesetz 2005 \u2013 \u2018ACA\u2019).<\/p>\n<p>The Federal Competition Authority (\u2018FCA\u2019) and the Federal Cartel Prosecutor (\u2018FCP\u2019) are the official parties in Austrian merger control proceedings. They review notifications and may apply to the Cartel Court for an in-depth Phase II review, in which they participate as official parties. While Phase I clearance is generally obtained upon expiry of the review period without an application for Phase II review, Phase II clearance is granted\u00a0by the Cartel Court, subject to appeal to the Cartel Court of Appeal.<\/p>\n<p>The Austrian merger control regime is mandatory: a notifiable concentration must be notified and must not be implemented prior to clearance. Breaches may result in significant fines.<\/p>\n<p>A specific feature of Austrian merger control is that the acquisition of a shareholding of 25% or more constitutes a concentration irrespective of whether it confers control.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to the general turnover thresholds, Austria has a transaction-value threshold for certain transactions not meeting the general thresholds.<\/p>\n<p>Specific rules apply to media concentrations, which were expanded in 2026 and include an additional substantive assessment of media plurality and editorial independence.<\/p>\n<p>As an EU Member State, Austria is also subject to the EU Merger Regulation. Transactions meeting its thresholds are reviewed by the European Commission.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is notification compulsory or voluntary?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Notification is compulsory if a transaction constitutes a concentration and meets the applicable jurisdictional thresholds under Austrian merger control law unless an exemption applies or the transaction falls within the exclusive jurisdiction of the European Commission under the EU Merger Regulation. There is no voluntary notification regime.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is there a prohibition on completion or closing prior to clearance by the relevant authority? Are there possibilities for derogation or carve out?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>A notifiable concentration must not be implemented before clearance. Implementation may already occur where the acquirer obtains the opportunity to exercise economic influence over the target; actual exercise of that influence is not required. The standstill obligation extends to individual steps that, in whole or in part, implement the concentration, while merely preparatory measures are permissible.<\/p>\n<p>The standstill obligation also applies to public bids, as Austrian law does not provide for a specific statutory exception comparable to that under the EU Merger Regulation. Where Austrian takeover law nevertheless requires tendered shares to be acquired before clearance, the voting rights acquired should not be exercised until clearance.<\/p>\n<p>Austrian law does not expressly provide for carve-outs, and their availability is uncertain. In international transactions, a carve-out may nevertheless be possible where the Austrian part can be effectively separated and the concentration is not implemented in Austria before clearance. Prior consultation with the FCA is advisable.<\/p>\n<p>Austrian merger control law does not expressly provide for trustee or warehousing structures as an exception to the standstill obligation. An acquisition through a trustee may be attributed to the ultimate acquirer as an indirect acquisition.<\/p>\n<p>Austrian merger control law does not provide for a derogation from the standstill obligation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What types of transaction are notifiable or reviewable and what is the test for control?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Under Austrian merger control law, the following transactions constitute a concentration:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>The acquisition of an undertaking, in whole or in substantial part.<\/li>\n<li>The acquisition of rights over another undertaking\u2019s business pursuant to an operating lease or management agreement.<\/li>\n<li>The direct or indirect acquisition by one undertaking of shares in another undertaking where the shareholding or voting rights reach or exceed 25% or 50%.<\/li>\n<li>The establishment of an identical composition of at least half of the members of the managing bodies or supervisory boards of two or more undertakings.<\/li>\n<li>Any other form of association between undertakings which enables one undertaking to exercise, directly or indirectly, a decisive influence over another undertaking. Decisive influence broadly corresponds to control under the EU Merger Regulation and may arise on a legal or factual basis, solely or jointly.<\/li>\n<li>The establishment of a joint venture which performs all the functions of an autonomous economic entity on a lasting basis.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Intra-group transactions generally do not constitute a concentration where there is no change in the ultimate controlling influence and are therefore not notifiable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">In which circumstances is an acquisition of a minority interest notifiable or reviewable?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The acquisition of a minority interest constitutes a concentration where the acquisition results in the acquirer holding at least 25% of the capital or voting rights in another undertaking. No acquisition of control is required for this purpose.<\/p>\n<p>An acquisition of less than 25% of the capital and voting rights may also constitute a concentration where the acquirer obtains decisive influence over the target based on the relevant legal or factual circumstances. Such influence may arise, for example, from veto rights over strategic decisions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are the jurisdictional thresholds (turnover, assets, market share and\/or local presence)? Are there different thresholds that apply to particular sectors?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>A concentration may be subject to mandatory notification in Austria under either (i) the general turnover thresholds or (ii) the transaction-value threshold. Austrian merger control does not generally apply asset or market-share thresholds.<\/p>\n<p><strong>General turnover thresholds<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A concentration is subject to mandatory notification if the undertakings concerned generated:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>combined worldwide turnover of more than EUR 300 million;<\/li>\n<li>combined Austrian turnover of more than EUR 30 million, with at least two undertakings concerned each generating more than EUR 1 million in Austria; and<\/li>\n<li>at least two undertakings concerned each generating more than EUR 5 million in worldwide turnover.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Even where these thresholds are met, no notification is required if only one of the undertakings concerned generated more than EUR 5 million in Austrian turnover and the remaining undertakings concerned generated combined worldwide turnover of no more than EUR 30 million.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Transaction-value threshold<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Where the general turnover thresholds are not met, a concentration may nevertheless be subject to mandatory notification if:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>the undertakings concerned generated combined worldwide turnover exceeding EUR 300 million;<\/li>\n<li>the undertakings concerned generated combined Austrian turnover exceeding EUR 15 million;<\/li>\n<li>the transaction value exceeds EUR 200 million; and<\/li>\n<li>the target has significant activities in Austria.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Austrian turnover requirement under the transaction-value threshold is a combined threshold and therefore does not require Austrian turnover to be generated by more than one undertaking.<\/p>\n<p>In assessing whether the target has significant activities in Austria, Austrian turnover below EUR 1 million does not in itself indicate significant activities in Austria. Significant activities may nevertheless be established by other industry-specific indicators attributable to Austrian customers. Relevant market-related activities may also include services provided free of charge and activities directed at potential Austrian customers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Local nexus<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Austrian merger control applies only to concentrations with sufficient effects in Austria. A sufficient local nexus may exist, in particular, where the target is or is expected to become active in Austria, operates on a geographic market encompassing Austria, or the transaction directly strengthens the acquirer&#8217;s Austrian market position.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sector-specific rules<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Special turnover calculation rules apply to media concentrations. For certain media concentrations, the turnover of media undertakings and media services is multiplied by 200 and the turnover of ancillary media undertakings by 20 when calculating the combined worldwide and general Austrian turnover thresholds as well as the Austrian turnover threshold under the transaction-value test. The multipliers do not apply to the EUR 5 million individual worldwide turnover threshold. For unilateral media concentrations, the turnover of the relevant media service provider or online platform provider is not multiplied.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How are turnover, assets and\/or market shares valued or determined for the purposes of jurisdictional thresholds?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Turnover is generally calculated by reference to the last financial year preceding the transaction. Changes to the group structure since the end of that financial year must be taken into account.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Turnover comprises revenues generated from the sale of goods and the provision of services in the ordinary course of business, excluding VAT and other taxes directly related to turnover, as well as intra-group turnover.<\/li>\n<li>Turnover is generally allocated geographically according to the location of the customer (i.e., the place where the goods or services are supplied).<\/li>\n<li>For purposes of turnover calculation, the turnover of undertakings controlling or controlled by an undertaking concerned, undertakings under common control with it, and undertakings linked to it through a participation of at least 25% is also taken into account, even where no control is exercised. Turnover from further participations held by such minority-owned undertakings is included only where they exercise decisive influence over those participations. The Austrian attribution rules are therefore broader than those under the EU Merger Regulation.<\/li>\n<li>The seller&#8217;s turnover is generally not taken into account. However, where the seller retains a participation of at least 25% in, or (joint) control over, the target, its turnover is attributed to the target.<\/li>\n<li>For joint ventures, the founding undertakings are relevant for a newly established joint venture; for acquisitions of joint control, the controlling acquirers and the existing undertaking are relevant.<\/li>\n<li>In an asset deal, only the turnover attributable to the acquired undertaking or part of an undertaking is taken into account.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For credit institutions, turnover is based on specified banking income; for insurance undertakings, on premium income.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is there a particular exchange rate required to be used for to convert turnover thresholds and asset values?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Turnover in a currency other than euros must be converted using the average exchange rate published by the European Central Bank for the relevant year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">In which circumstances are joint ventures notifiable or reviewable (both new joint ventures and acquisitions of joint control over an existing business)?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The establishment of a joint venture which performs all the functions of an autonomous economic entity on a lasting basis constitutes a concentration under Austrian law. This requires that the joint venture is subject to joint control by two or more undertakings and that it is a full-function joint venture. Joint control exists where two or more undertakings can exercise decisive influence over strategic decisions. It may arise, in particular, from veto rights over the appointment of senior management, the budget, the business plan or strategically important investments. The European Commission&#8217;s Consolidated Jurisdictional Notice provides relevant guidance.<\/p>\n<p>To qualify as full-function, the joint venture must be economically autonomous, have sufficient resources to operate independently on the market, not merely perform auxiliary functions for its parent companies and be established on a lasting basis.<\/p>\n<p>By contrast, where one or more undertakings acquire an interest in an existing undertaking, thereby acquiring joint control over it, the transaction does not constitute the establishment of a full-function joint venture. Instead, the acquisition may constitute a concentration under the rules governing acquisitions of shareholdings or acquisitions of control.<\/p>\n<p>The establishment of a non-full-function joint venture may constitute a concentration under the rules governing acquisitions of shareholdings or acquisitions of control where an existing business or assets with independent market relevance are contributed to the joint venture.<\/p>\n<p>There are no specific turnover thresholds for joint ventures. The general thresholds apply.<\/p>\n<p>For foreign-to-foreign joint ventures, the turnover thresholds may be met by reference to the parent companies even where the joint venture has no Austrian activities. A filing is required only where there is a sufficient local nexus.<\/p>\n<p>As regards the substantive assessment of a full-function joint venture, cooperative aspects are taken into account in the merger control assessment only to the extent that they are relevant under the applicable dominance\/SIEC test. Any coordination between the parent companies may additionally be subject to a separate assessment under the prohibition of anticompetitive agreements. Under the EU Merger Regulation, by contrast, cooperative aspects of a full-function joint venture are assessed within the merger control proceedings under the criteria of Article 101 TFEU.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any circumstances in which different stages of the same, overall transaction are separately notifiable or reviewable?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Several transactions that are closely connected in factual and temporal terms and form part of an overall acquisition decision are treated as a single concentration. Where separate transaction steps constitute economically independent concentrations, each transaction must be assessed separately and may therefore be separately notifiable if the applicable jurisdictional requirements are met. However, in certain circumstances, such transactions may be covered by a single merger notification.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How do the thresholds apply to \u201cforeign-to-foreign\u201d mergers and transactions involving a target \/ joint venture with no nexus to the jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There are no specific notification thresholds for foreign-to-foreign concentrations. Under the general turnover thresholds, at least two undertakings concerned must each generate more than EUR 1 million in Austrian turnover, in addition to their combined Austrian turnover exceeding EUR 30 million. Under the transaction-value threshold, the target must have significant activities in Austria, assessed by reference to market-related activities attributable to Austrian customers. Austrian turnover of EUR 1 million or less does not exclude significant activities, as other industry-specific indicators may be relevant.<\/p>\n<p>A concentration must also have a sufficient local nexus, based on its actual or potential effects in Austria. This is particularly relevant for foreign-to-foreign joint ventures, whose parents may meet the turnover thresholds even if the joint venture has no Austrian activities. A sufficient local nexus may be absent where a foreign target or joint venture has no activities, customers or other relevant links to Austria.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">For voluntary filing regimes (only), are there any factors not related to competition that might influence the decision as to whether or not notify?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Not applicable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the substantive test applied by the relevant authority to assess whether or not to clear the merger, or to clear it subject to remedies?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>A concentration must be prohibited if it can be expected (i) to create or strengthen a dominant position or (ii) otherwise to significantly impede effective competition (SIEC). It is modelled on the SIEC test under the EU Merger Regulation, and the Austrian Supreme Court has confirmed that the European Commission&#8217;s Horizontal Merger Guidelines provide guidance for its application.<\/p>\n<p>Where competition concerns can be adequately addressed by remedies, the concentration may be cleared subject to conditions or obligations. Remedies may be structural or behavioural.<\/p>\n<p>Media concentrations are subject to an additional substantive test. A media concentration must also be prohibited if it can be expected to adversely affect media plurality or editorial independence. The criteria set out in Article 22(2) of the European Media Freedom Act must be taken into account in this assessment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are factors unrelated to competition relevant?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Even where the dominance or SIEC test would otherwise require prohibition, Austrian law provides for three statutory grounds for clearance. A concentration must nevertheless be cleared if (i) improvements in competitive conditions resulting from the concentration outweigh its adverse effects, (ii) the concentration is necessary to maintain or improve the international competitiveness of the undertakings concerned and is justified on macroeconomic grounds, or (iii) the macroeconomic benefits of the concentration significantly outweigh its adverse effects. These statutory grounds have played only a limited role in practice.<\/p>\n<p>In the case of an adverse effect on media plurality or editorial independence, only the statutory ground relating to the maintenance or improvement of the international competitiveness of the undertakings concerned and its justification on macroeconomic grounds is available.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are ancillary restraints covered by the authority\u2019s clearance decision?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Restrictions that are directly related to and necessary for the implementation of a concentration are regarded as ancillary restraints, covered by the merger control clearance. Their substantive, geographic and temporal scope must not exceed what is necessary for the concentration. The most common ancillary restraints include non-compete obligations, licensing arrangements and purchase or supply obligations. The principles of the European Commission&#8217;s Ancillary Restraints Notice are used as guidance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">For mandatory filing regimes, is there a statutory deadline for notification of the transaction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Notification is mandatory before implementation of a notifiable concentration; there is otherwise no statutory filing deadline.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the earliest time or stage in the transaction at which a notification can be made?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>A concentration may be notified before signing of an SPA or equivalent transaction document, provided that the parties have reached an agreement in principle on the precise transaction structure and the timetable for implementation. Purely hypothetical or alternative transaction scenarios cannot be notified.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is it usual practice to engage in pre-notification discussions with the authority? If so, how long do these typically take?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Pre-notification discussions are not standard for straightforward transactions, but are recommended for more complex transactions, particularly where competition concerns are involved. They may facilitate Phase I review and help avoid Phase II. The process is informal and there is no legal entitlement to pre-notification discussions. The duration depends on the complexity of the transaction.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the basic timetable for the authority\u2019s review?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The Austrian merger control procedure is generally divided into two phases.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Phase I review period is four weeks from receipt of the notification, provided that the filing fee has been credited to the FCA&#8217;s account. If neither authority applies to the Cartel Court for an in-depth review within that period, the concentration is deemed cleared and may be implemented.<\/li>\n<li>If either authority applies for an in-depth review, the Cartel Court conducts a Phase II review and must generally decide within five months of receipt of the application.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Special rules apply to media concentrations. Phase I is extended to six weeks if the FCA receives a reasoned written recommendation from KommAustria, the Austrian media regulator, within the initial four-week period, and to eight weeks if KommAustria notifies the FCA that it has consulted the European Board for Media Services. In Phase II, such consultation extends the Cartel Court&#8217;s review period to six months.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Under what circumstances may the basic timetable be extended, reset or frozen?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>At the notifying parties&#8217; request, the Phase I review period may be extended from four to six weeks and the Phase II review period from five to six months.<\/p>\n<p>Except for the statutory extensions applicable to media concentrations, the authorities cannot extend these periods on their own initiative.<\/p>\n<p>There is no general stop-the-clock mechanism. Information requests, late or incomplete responses, remedies or third-party interventions do not suspend or reset the review periods. Insufficient or late information may therefore lead to a Phase II review or ultimately prevent clearance. Where additional time is required, the notifying parties may withdraw and refile, starting a new review period.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any circumstances in which the review timetable can be shortened?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The notifying parties may request an early waiver of the right to apply for an in-depth review. The urgency of obtaining early clearance must be credibly demonstrated. If both the FCA and the FCP waive their right to apply for an in-depth review, the standstill obligation expires before the end of the Phase I review period.<\/p>\n<p>According to the FCA&#8217;s practice, a waiver is generally only considered after expiry of the 14-day period for third-party comments, plus three days for postal delivery. There is no right to obtain an early waiver.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Which party is responsible for submitting the filing?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The notification may be filed by the acquirer and\/or the target; the seller is not entitled to notify. A joint filing is not required.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What information is required in the filing form?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The FCA&#8217;s notification form requires information on the transaction and the undertakings concerned, their ownership and control structure, turnover figures, markets and market shares and, where applicable, further information necessary for the competitive assessment. Market information must generally be provided for the preceding three financial years.<\/p>\n<p>A simplified notification may be submitted where there are no affected markets. Affected markets include horizontal overlaps resulting in a combined market share of at least 15% and vertical relationships where a party has a market share of at least 25%. The information required is substantially reduced, with market information required only for the most recent financial year.<\/p>\n<p>For media concentrations, additional information must be provided on the parties&#8217; media activities and circumstances relevant to media plurality and editorial independence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Which supporting documents, if any, must be filed with the authority?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Where applicable, the notification must be accompanied by corporate and financial documents, documents supporting market information and relevant internal documents. A non-confidential version must also be provided. For multi-jurisdictional transactions involving affected markets, a waiver permitting the exchange of confidential information with other competition authorities should be provided. Media concentrations require additional supporting documents. In less complex cases, the FCA does not generally require all supporting documents.<\/p>\n<p>Legal counsel need not submit a written power of attorney but may confirm that they are duly authorised; other representatives generally require written evidence of their authority. Supporting documents may generally be submitted in English without German translation. No notarisation or apostille is required.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is there a filing fee?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>A filing fee of EUR 6,000 must be paid to the FCA together with the filing. If Phase II proceedings are initiated before the Cartel Court, an additional court fee of up to EUR 34,000 applies. Further court costs, such as expert fees and remuneration of the expert lay judges, may also be incurred.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is there a public announcement that a notification has been filed?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The FCA is required to publish the notification on its website without undue delay upon receipt.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Does the authority seek or invite the views of third parties?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>From publication of the notification, undertakings whose legal or economic interests are affected by the concentration may submit written comments to the FCA and\/or the FCP within 14 days. They may also submit written comments to the Cartel Court during Phase II proceedings.<\/p>\n<p>In more complex cases, the FCA may also actively seek information from third parties, such as competitors, customers and suppliers, including to assess market definition and market positions or to market test proposed remedies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What information may be published by the authority or made available to third parties?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The FCA publishes certain information on the notification, including the parties, a brief description of the concentration and the sectors concerned. Amendments to the notification and any application for a Phase II review must also be published.<\/p>\n<p>The full notification is not published, and third parties have no right of access to the notification. Information contained in the non-confidential version may be used by the FCA for information requests to third parties.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Does the authority cooperate with antitrust authorities in other jurisdictions?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The FCA cooperates closely with the European Commission and other EU competition authorities through the European Competition Network (ECN) and participates in international networks such as the ICN, OECD and UNCTAD.<\/p>\n<p>In parallel merger reviews, the FCA may coordinate with foreign competition authorities. Confidentiality waivers may be requested from the parties to facilitate the exchange of confidential information with other competition authorities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What kind of remedies are acceptable to the authority?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Remedies may be structural or behavioural and must be suitable and proportionate to the concerns identified. Structural remedies may include divestitures, while behavioural remedies may include access, supply or licensing obligations.<\/p>\n<p>Divestiture remedies are determined on a case-by-case basis. The authorities do not generally require an up-front buyer, although they may require a suitable purchaser to be identified before the transaction can be implemented. The suitability of a purchaser may depend on its independence from the parties and its resources and ability to operate the divested business as a viable competitor.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What procedure applies in the event that remedies are required in order to secure clearance?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In Phase I, remedies may be proposed by the merging parties as well as by the FCA or the FCP. Commitments may be agreed with the FCA and the FCP to avoid a referral to the Cartel Court.<\/p>\n<p>In Phase II, commitments may be agreed with the FCA or the FCP and may result in withdrawal of an application for an in-depth review. Alternatively, the Cartel Court may clear the concentration subject to conditions or obligations, which may be based on proposals by a court-appointed economic expert. There is no statutory deadline for proposing remedies, but they must be proposed in time to allow their assessment before the review period expires. Proposed remedies may be market tested with competitors, customers and suppliers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are the penalties for failure to notify, late notification and breaches of a prohibition on closing?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Implementation of a notifiable concentration without prior clearance constitutes a breach of the standstill obligation and may result in a fine of up to 10% of the undertaking&#8217;s total group turnover in the preceding financial year. The undertaking responsible is liable, which in an acquisition is typically the acquirer. The same applies where a concentration is implemented in breach of conditions or obligations imposed by the Cartel Court or commitments given to the FCA and\/or the FCP. In determining the fine, particular regard is given to gravity and duration, fault, any enrichment resulting from the infringement, and the economic capacity of the undertaking.<\/p>\n<p>Breaches of the standstill obligation are regularly subject to fines in Austria.<\/p>\n<p>Agreements implementing a concentration in breach of the standstill obligation are provisionally invalid until clearance. The Cartel Court may order measures to terminate unlawful implementation if no subsequent clearance is obtained. There are no criminal sanctions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are the penalties for incomplete or misleading information in the notification or in response to the authority\u2019s questions?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>A fine of up to 1% of the undertaking&#8217;s total group turnover in the preceding financial year may be imposed where an undertaking intentionally or negligently provides incorrect or misleading information in a merger notification or in responses to information requests by the FCA or the FCP in the course of their investigation. Where clearance was based on incorrect or incomplete information attributable to an undertaking concerned, the Cartel Court may order proportionate measures to mitigate or eliminate the effects of the concentration.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Can the authority\u2019s decision be appealed to a court?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>A final decision of the Cartel Court may be appealed to the Supreme Court acting as the Cartel Court of Appeal by the notifying parties and the FCA or FCP within four weeks of service. Third parties have no party status and cannot appeal.<\/p>\n<p>The notifying parties must be represented by an attorney. The FCA and the FCP are not subject to this requirement.<\/p>\n<p>The Cartel Court of Appeal must decide within two months of receiving the case files.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are the recent trends in the approach of the relevant authority to enforcement, procedure and substantive assessment?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>A notable recent trend is stricter enforcement of the standstill obligation and significantly higher fines for gun-jumping. In 2025 the Supreme Cartel Court imposed a record fine of EUR 70 million on REWE, and the FCA continues to pursue gun-jumping cases, with further proceedings involving potentially substantial fines.<\/p>\n<p>Another notable development is the increasing importance of parallel regulatory reviews of international transactions. A recent example is the proposed acquisition of CECONOMY, the parent company of MediaMarkt and Saturn, by Chinese e-commerce group JD.com. The transaction was cleared under Austrian merger control in 2025, but has also been subject to separate regulatory reviews, including Austrian foreign investment screening and an in-depth investigation by the European Commission under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any future developments or planned reforms of the merger control regime in your jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There are currently no major reforms of the Austrian merger control regime announced. The most recent legislative changes entered into force on 24 April 2026 and concern media concentrations, adapting the Austrian regime to the European Media Freedom Act.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n<div class=\"word-count-hidden\" style=\"display:none;\">Estimated word count: <span class=\"word-count\">4748<\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<\/ol>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/twentyseventeen\/src\/jquery\/components\/filter-guides.js\" async><\/script><\/div>"}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide\/151542","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/comparative_guide"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=151542"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}