GPS and worker monitoring, country by country
GPS and worker monitoring in Austria
what you need to stay compliant
Updated on June 15, 2026
Competent authority
Datenschutzbehorde (DSB)Verified on June 15, 2026
What you risk
cessation order (no monetary fine); GDPR risk of up to 20 million euro or 4% of turnover (Art. 83)from a real GPS case
Updated on June 15, 2026
What you need
5For each obligation we tell you whether it applies in this country: Yes means required, It depends means only in certain cases, No means not required.
What you need
For each obligation we tell you whether it applies in this country: Yes means required, It depends means only in certain cases, No means not required.
Consent of the works council (Betriebsrat) for monitoring measures that affect human dignity (ArbVG ยง 96 Abs. 1 Z 3)
It dependsonly in certain casesMonitoring measures and technical systems capable of controlling workers that affect human dignity require the consent of the works council (a Betriebsvereinbarung is mandatory): without it, they are inadmissible. This applies where a Betriebsrat exists; in its absence an individual agreement under ยง 10 AVRAG is required.
Betriebsvereinbarung for systems that process workers personal data beyond basic identification data (ArbVG ยง 96a)
It dependsonly in certain casesSystems that automatically collect and process workers personal data beyond basic identification and job classification require a Betriebsvereinbarung (or, in the absence of a works council, individual consent).
Arbeitsverfassungsgesetz (ArbVG), ยง 96a (sistemi che trattano dati personali dei lavoratori)
Prior authorisation from an authority before installation
Nonot requiredNo prior authorisation is needed: the old DVR register was abolished with the GDPR; the accountability principle applies (records of processing activities and a data protection impact assessment where required).
DSFA-V, regolamento sui trattamenti che richiedono una valutazione d'impatto
Ban on permanent GPS monitoring; allowed only if the purpose cannot be achieved by less intrusive means
YesrequiredIn the Austrian reference case, the DSB found the permanent tracking of company vehicles unlawful because the purpose could be achieved by less intrusive means, and ordered it to stop; monitoring outside working hours is in any case inadmissible.
Datenschutzbehorde (DSB), decisione 2022-0.021.739 (stop al GPS sui veicoli aziendali)
Data protection impact assessment (DSFA) for the geolocation of workers
YesrequiredThe Austrian regulation on impact assessment includes processing that evaluates a person behaviour, location or movements and processing of workers data; the geolocation of employees falls among the cases that require an impact assessment.
DSFA-V, regolamento sui trattamenti che richiedono una valutazione d'impatto
The procedure, step by step
If a works council exists, obtain its consent through a Betriebsvereinbarung before activation (ArbVG ยง 96 / ยง 96a); in its absence, an individual agreement under ยง 10 AVRAG.
Verify that the purpose cannot be achieved by means less intrusive than permanent tracking.
Carry out the data protection impact assessment (DSFA) for the geolocation of workers.
Inform the workers and identify a valid legal basis (Art. 6 GDPR).
Configure the system: no permanent tracking, no monitoring outside working hours.
If you switch systems: when you change your monitoring system or software, update and re-issue the privacy notice, and check whether the national agreement or authorisation for remote monitoring needs renewing. The provider (data processor), the data collected and the methods often change: the one provided earlier is not enough.
Who to contact
Datenschutzbehorde (DSB)
https://dsb.gv.at/ueber-die-datenschutzbehoerde/beschwerdeverfahren
https://dsb.gv.at/ueber-die-datenschutzbehoerde/beschwerdeverfahren
Austria is a federal state but has a single national supervisory authority, the DSB based in Vienna: there is no breakdown by Land (unlike Germany).
Verified on June 15, 2026
Datenschutzbehorde (DSB), reclamo
https://dsb.gv.at/ueber-die-datenschutzbehoerde/beschwerdeverfahren
https://dsb.gv.at/ueber-die-datenschutzbehoerde/beschwerdeverfahren
Verified on June 15, 2026
The template to download
Download the free GPS privacy notice template for Austria
Employee geolocation privacy notice template, compliant with GDPR Art. 13, including the countryโs legal basis and supervisory authority. Fill in the blank fields and have it checked by your advisor.
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Datenschutzbehorde, decision of 1 March 2022 (2022-0.021.739): a company had installed permanent GPS trackers on 15 company vehicles used for mixed purposes; the DSB found the processing unlawful because the purpose could be achieved by less intrusive means and ordered its immediate cessation, without a monetary fine.
Cite this page
You're free to cite it, as long as you credit the source with a link to this page.
GPS and worker monitoring in Austria: what you need to stay compliant - GeoTapp. https://geotapp.com/en-us/resources/gps-workers-eu/austria/Source: <a href="https://geotapp.com/en-us/resources/gps-workers-eu/austria/?utm_source=citazione&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=risorse">GPS and worker monitoring in Austria: what you need to stay compliant - GeoTapp</a>ยฉ 2026 GeoTapp. Data compiled and verified by GeoTapp. For full republication of the dataset or commercial use, get in touch.
Sources
- Arbeitsverfassungsgesetz (ArbVG), ยง 96 (misure di controllo che toccano la dignita: consenso del consiglio aziendale)
- Arbeitsverfassungsgesetz (ArbVG), ยง 96a (sistemi che trattano dati personali dei lavoratori)
- DSFA-V, regolamento sui trattamenti che richiedono una valutazione d'impatto
- Datenschutzbehorde (DSB), decisione 2022-0.021.739 (stop al GPS sui veicoli aziendali)
- Datenschutzbehorde (DSB), procedura di reclamo
- Regolamento UE 2016/679 (GDPR)
This is an informational resource, not legal advice. Before activating a monitoring system, have your situation checked by a professional.
Want a system that is already compliant?
GeoTapp records the location only at clock-in, not continuously, and generates the notice for workers to sign. Try it for free.