Austria's Distance Financial Services Act (FernFinG) repealed as of 30 September 2026
The Fern-Finanzdienstleistungs-Gesetz (FernFinG), which governed consumers' rights when buying financial services remotely (online, by phone, etc.), is formally repealed with effect from 30 September 2026 by BGBl. I Nr. 59/2026 (Consumer Law Amendment Act 2026). Its rules are absorbed into updated consumer-protection legislation implementing EU Directives 2023/2673 and 2024/825.
What changed
The FernFinG — in force since 2004 — is repealed on 30 September 2026. It had given consumers specific rights (information, withdrawal periods, etc.) when concluding contracts for financial products such as loans, insurance, or investment products via distance channels. Those protections are now carried forward under revised general consumer-protection rules.
Who is affected
Consumers who buy financial services remotely (online, by phone, by post) and the businesses offering such products are directly affected. From 1 October 2026 onward, the new rules in the updated consumer-protection framework apply instead of the FernFinG.
What to look out for
Until 30 September 2026 the old FernFinG rules still fully apply. From 1 October 2026, both consumers and businesses should check the new consumer-protection legislation (VerbRÄG 2026, BGBl. I Nr. 59/2026) for any changes to information obligations, withdrawal rights, or contract requirements for remote financial services.