Deposit guarantee schemes

EU legislation protects deposits in case of bank failure.

What the EU is doing and why

Deposit guarantee schemes (DGS) reimburse up to a certain amount to compensate depositors whose bank has failed. A fundamental principle underlying DGS is that they are funded entirely by banks, and that no taxpayer funds are used.

Under EU rules, deposit guarantee schemes

The EU has gradually increased the level of deposit protection since the first directive for DGS was introduced in 1994.

Policy making timeline

18 April 2023 Legislative proposal - Deposit guarantee schemes 25 February 2021 Consultation - Bank crisis management and deposit insurance framework

End date: 20 May 2021

16 April 2014 Legislation - Deposit guarantee schemes

The EU adopted Directive 2014/49/EU. It requires EU countries to introduce laws setting up at least 1 DGS that all banks must join.

Relevant legislation

Deposit Guarantee Schemes Directive (DGSD) - 2014/49/EU

The original deposit guarantee schemes directive of 1994 only required a minimum level of harmonisation between domestic deposit guarantee schemes in the EU. It proved disruptive for financial stability and the internal market, especially during the financial crisis of 2007-2009.

An amending directive in 2009 required EU countries to increase their protection of deposits firstly to a minimum of €50 000, and then to a uniform level of €100 000 by the end of 2010.

In 2014, the EU adopted Directive 2014/49/EU. It requires EU countries to introduce laws setting up at least 1 DGS that all banks must join. EU countries must

DGSs set up and officially recognised in 1 EU country must cover the depositors at branches of their members in other EU countries.

The directive maintains the deposit protection of €100 000, and includes a gradual reduction of the repayment times of deposit guarantees.

It also restates the principle of resolving bank failures with the use of funds provided by financial institutions, and not by taxpayers.

Basic information

Transposition by EU Member States

Ongoing revision

Legislative history