What is a dawn raid
A dawn raid is an inspection by a competition authority to secure evidence on suspicion of infringement or breach of competition law. The inspection happens unannounced and can take place at business sites, but also at private homes.
Can a dawn raid happen to my business?
A dawn raid can happen to any company. Whenever a suspicion of infringement or breach of competition law arises, a dawn raid is an option. Since this can happen at any time, without any warning, we strongly advise clients to be prepared - just in case.
What shall I do to prepare for a dawn raid?
Dawn raids are made to surprise you. Still, you can be well prepared and navigate through the dawn raid with ease. Our Dawn Raid Directive Template helps: It includes the most important information at one glance, and is a helpful sheet of paper to have at hand when "it" happens.
Dawn Raid Directive Template
We have prepared an easy-to-use template for a Dawn Raid Directive. You can use this in your business to make sure the most important information is ready whenever you need it.
Create your Dawn Raid Directive Template, individualise it for your business, and ensure everybody who should be aware, gets a copy. Start now, by creating your Dawn Raid Directive - register to get access to our Directive Drafter. You will receive access immediately after registration
Dawn Raid Checklist
A practical checklist to help your organisation prepare for and respond to a dawn raid.
newsletter
ECJ strengthens protection of fundamental rights in Antitrust investigations – What does this mean for Antitrust dawn raids in Austria?
This Legal Insight is published as part of a series focusing on dawn raids conducted by local competition authorities and their consistency with EU law.
newsletter
Czech Republic: Privacy at risk in Czech dawn raids: what the CJEU's landmark ruling means for the Czech Republic
This Legal Insight is published as part of a series focusing on dawn raids conducted by local competition authorities and their consistency with EU law.
newsletter
Privacy at risk: EU Court ruling exposes gaps in Serbian dawn raid rules
On 16 July 2026, the EU Court of Justice ruled on the limits of competition authority powers during dawn raids (Joined Cases C‑258/23 to C‑260/23, IMI – Imagens Médicas Integradas and others). The key question was whether competition authorities can seize employee e-mails without violating privacy rights under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
newsletter
Are you ready for the tax and employment authorities' dawn raids? - Romania
A wave of dawn raids from mixed teams of the Romanian tax and employment authorities (ANAF and ITM) is expected this August. As per public declarations, these measures target tax evasion and "black market" labour.
newsletter
Competition authority adopts new approach to gathering electronic evidence during dawn raids
The Warsaw Court of Competition and Consumer Protection recently delivered a significant judgment regarding the collection of electronic evidence during unannounced inspections conducted by the Office for Competition and Consumer Protection.
If you have any questions regarding dawn raids, feel free to contact us:
Austria
Franz
Urlesberger
Partner
austria vienna
Hanno
Wollmann
Attorney at Law
austria vienna
Evelin
Hlina
Partner / Office Managing Partner Belgium
austria vienna
Volker
Weiss
Partner
belgium / EU
Christoph
Haid
Partner
austria vienna
Johannes
Frank
Partner
austria vienna
Stefanie
Stegbauer
Partner
austria vienna
Tetiana
Vovk
International Associate
austria vienna
Belgium / EU
Evelin
Hlina
Partner / Office Managing Partner Belgium
austria vienna
Volker
Weiss
Partner
belgium / EU
Bulgaria
Yoana
Strateva
Attorney at Law
bulgaria
Croatia
Ana
Mihaljević*
Attorney at Law in cooperation with Schoenherr
croatia
Czech Republic
Jan
Kupčík
Counsel
czech republic
Hungary
Anna
Turi
Counsel
hungary
Christoph
Haid
Partner
austria vienna
Moldova
Georgiana
Bădescu
Partner
romania
Poland
Paweł
Kułak
Counsel
poland
Romania
Georgiana
Bădescu
Partner
romania
Slovakia
Michal
Lučivjanský
Partner
slovakia
Christoph
Haid
Partner
austria vienna
Slovenia
Matej
Črnilec
Partner in cooperation with Schoenherr
slovenia
Albania/Kosovo, Bosnia & Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia
Srđana
Petronijević
Partner
serbia