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---
title: "financial counterparty"
type: definition
status: Published
source: "EMIR Article 2, point (8)"
defined_term: "financial counterparty"
source_regulation: "EMIR"
source_reference: "Article 2, point (8)"
source_node: "eu.emir.article.2.subparagraph.1.point.8"
cross_regime_auto_link: false
inline_links: pending
text_version: "Consolidated version of 17 January 2025"
source_url: "https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02012R0648-20250117"
check_status: matched
verified: true
last_checked: 2026-10-26
---

*In force · EMIR Article 2, point (8) · Consolidated version of 17 January 2025 · Checked against EUR-Lex on 26 Oct 2026 · [Official source](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02012R0648-20250117)*

## Definition

> **(8)** ‘**financial counterparty**’ means:
>
> **(a)** an investment firm authorised in accordance with Directive 2014/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council;
>
> **(b)** a credit institution authorised in accordance with Directive 2013/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council;
>
> **(c)** an insurance undertaking or reinsurance undertaking authorised in accordance with Directive 2009/138/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council;
>
> **(d)** a UCITS and, where relevant, its management company, authorised in accordance with Directive 2009/65/EC, unless that UCITS is set up exclusively for the purpose of serving one or more employee share purchase plans;
>
> **(e)** an institution for occupational retirement provision (IORP), as defined in point (1) of Article 6 of Directive (EU) 2016/2341 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
>
> **(f)** an alternative investment fund (AIF), as defined in point (a) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2011/61/EU, which is either established in the Union or managed by an alternative investment fund manager (AIFM) authorised or registered in accordance with that Directive, unless that AIF is set up exclusively for the purpose of serving one or more employee share purchase plans, or unless that AIF is a securitisation special purpose entity as referred to in point (g) of Article 2(3) of Directive 2011/61/EU, and, where relevant, its AIFM established in the Union;
>
> **(g)** a central securities depository authorised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 909/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council;

## Source

[EMIR, Article 2, point (8)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02012R0648-20250117).