--- title: "Article 46 — Transfers subject to appropriate safeguards" type: regulation legal_status: in_force source: "https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02016R0679-20160504" source_retrieved: 2026-09-28 shortTitle: "Article 46 — Transfers subject to appropriate safeguards" instrument_type: level1_regulation authority: Commission binding: true binding_character: binding mica_level2: false legal_basis: "Regulation (EU) 2016/679" instrument: gdpr celex: "32016R0679" regulation: GDPR regulation-full: "Regulation (EU) 2016/679" article: 46 status: in_force object_id: eu.gdpr.legal_text.article.46 text_version: "Consolidated version of 4 May 2016" source_url: "https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02016R0679-20160504" check_status: matched verified: true last_checked: 2026-10-26 --- *In force · Consolidated version of 4 May 2016 · Checked against EUR-Lex on 26 Oct 2026 · [Official source](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02016R0679-20160504)* 1. In the absence of a decision pursuant to [Article 45(3)](45.md), a [controller](https://www.headlesslaw.com/definitions/gdpr/controller) or [processor](https://www.headlesslaw.com/definitions/gdpr/processor) may transfer [personal data](https://www.headlesslaw.com/definitions/gdpr/personal-data) to a third country or an [international organisation](https://www.headlesslaw.com/definitions/gdpr/international-organisation) only if the controller or processor has provided appropriate safeguards, and on condition that enforceable data subject rights and effective legal remedies for data subjects are available. 2. The appropriate safeguards referred to in paragraph 1 may be provided for, without requiring any specific authorisation from a [supervisory authority](https://www.headlesslaw.com/definitions/gdpr/supervisory-authority), by: **(a)** a legally binding and enforceable instrument between public authorities or bodies; **(b)** [binding corporate rules](https://www.headlesslaw.com/definitions/gdpr/binding-corporate-rules) in accordance with [Article 47](47.md); **(c)** standard data protection clauses adopted by the Commission in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in [Article 93(2)](93.md); **(d)** standard data protection clauses adopted by a supervisory authority and approved by the Commission pursuant to the examination procedure referred to in [Article 93(2)](93.md); **(e)** an approved code of conduct pursuant to [Article 40](40.md) together with binding and enforceable commitments of the controller or processor in the third country to apply the appropriate safeguards, including as regards data subjects' rights; or **(f)** an approved certification mechanism pursuant to [Article 42](42.md) together with binding and enforceable commitments of the controller or processor in the third country to apply the appropriate safeguards, including as regards data subjects' rights. 3. Subject to the authorisation from the competent supervisory authority, the appropriate safeguards referred to in paragraph 1 may also be provided for, in particular, by: **(a)** contractual clauses between the controller or processor and the controller, processor or the [recipient](https://www.headlesslaw.com/definitions/gdpr/recipient) of the personal data in the third country or international organisation; or **(b)** provisions to be inserted into administrative arrangements between public authorities or bodies which include enforceable and effective data subject rights. 4. The supervisory authority shall apply the consistency mechanism referred to in [Article 63](63.md) in the cases referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article. 5. Authorisations by a Member State or supervisory authority on the basis of Article 26(2) of Directive 95/46/EC shall remain valid until amended, replaced or repealed, if necessary, by that supervisory authority. Decisions adopted by the Commission on the basis of Article 26(4) of Directive 95/46/EC shall remain in force until amended, replaced or repealed, if necessary, by a Commission Decision adopted in accordance with paragraph 2 of this Article. ## Related Level 2 and Level 3 ### Binding measures - [2021/914 — Decision — Standard contractual clauses for transfer to third countries \[in force\]](../level-2/implementing-acts/2021-914-standard-contractual-clauses-for-transfer-to-third-countries.md) ### Guidance and Q&A - [EDPB 01/2020 — Recommendation — Transfer measures \[final\]](../level-3/recommendations-and-codes/edpb-01-2020-supplementary-transfer-measures.md) - [EDPB 2/2020 — Guideline — Transfers between EEA and non-EEA public authorities \[final\]](../level-3/guidelines/edpb-02-2020-article-46-public-authorities.md) *** [Chapter V — Transfers of personal data to third countries or international organisations](../chapters/v.md) · [← Article 45](45.md) · [Article 47 →](47.md)