How much can my company be fined under Whistleblower?
Whistleblower carries penalties of up to Per member state. This page breaks down every fine tier by article, explains who is at risk, and shows live enforcement examples.
How Whistleblower penalties work
The Whistleblower Protection Directive (Article 23) requires Member States to impose penalties on persons who hinder or attempt to hinder reporting, retaliate against reporters, bring vexatious proceedings, or breach the duty of confidentiality. Member States set specific sanction amounts; the Directive does not set EU-wide maximums.
Fine tiers by article
Penalties for hindrance of reporting or retaliation against whistleblowers
Per member state (effective, proportionate, dissuasive)
Applies to:
- Dismissing, demoting, or otherwise retaliating against a reporting person
- Coercing or intimidating a person to prevent or stop a report
- Breaching confidentiality of the reporter's identity
- Failing to acknowledge receipt of a report within 7 days
- Failing to follow up on a report within 3 months
Stacked exposure with other EU regulations
Whistleblower Directive violations can expose organisations to civil damages claims from the reporting person, criminal liability in some Member States, and reputational damage. Where the underlying breach being reported involves personal data, GDPR investigations may run concurrently.
Calculate your stacked fine exposure →Frequently asked questions
What happens if a company retaliates against a whistleblower?
Companies that retaliate against whistleblowers face Member State penalties which must be effective, proportionate, and dissuasive. Retaliating employees may have their dismissal annulled, receive compensation, and the company may face criminal sanctions depending on national law.
What is your stacked fine exposure across all EU regulations?
Calculate your combined risk across Whistleblower, GDPR, NIS2, AI Act, DORA, and more — free, no signup.
Open fine risk calculator — freeFor informational purposes only. This is not legal advice — consult qualified legal counsel for advice specific to your situation.
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