Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
[AT2] Österreichische Nationalbank (Central Bank of Austria)
1.2. Contact organisation unit
External Statistics, Financial Accounts and Monetary and Financial Statistics Division
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Otto-Wagner-Platz 3, 1090 Wien, Austria
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
5 February 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
12 February 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
12 February 2025
3.1. Data description
Statistics on international supply of services (ISS) by modes of supply (MoS) show how and where services are supplied internationally, namely by answering the question of 'how' services are exchanged across countries and 'where' services are supplied to foreign customers. Detailed information on international supply of services statistics by services category, mode of supply and partner country help policymakers carry out the ongoing and future trade negotiating agenda with facts and strong, evidence-based arguments and they allow to monitor the impact of services trade agreements.
The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), the first multilateral agreement to cover trade in services, defines trade in services as the supply of a service through any of four modes of supply, outlined in the bullet points below.
Mode 1 - cross-border supply: from the territory of one country into the territory of another country;
Mode 2 - consumption abroad: in the territory of one country to the service consumer of another country;
Mode 3 - commercial presence: by a service supplier of one country, through a commercial presence in the territory of another country. The FATS framework is designed to provide information on the activities of enterprises located in foreign markets;
Mode 4 - presence of natural persons: by a service supplier of one country, through the presence of natural persons of that country in the territory of any other country.
Total international supply of services (total of modes 1, 2, 3 and 4)
Mode 1 (‘cross border transactions’),
Mode 2 (‘consumption abroad’),
Mode 3 (‘commercial presence’), and
Mode 4 (‘presence of natural persons’).
3.5. Statistical unit
Not applicable.
3.6. Statistical population
Total international supply of services by all four modes of supply.
3.7. Reference area
Austria
3.8. Coverage - Time
2023 and 2024
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Data are reported in national currency (thousands).
Eurostat disseminates data in million euro.
Calendar year.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 on European business statistics sets the data requirements in the field of international supply of services by modes for the EU Member States and EFTA countries. The exact technical specifications are listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197. The requirements concerning the MoS domain are defined in table 38 "Statistics on international activities – International Supply of Services by Mode of Supply – annual data" of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197. The variable must be reported annually with first reference year 2023.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
The basic principles for data sharing between the NCB and the NSI in Austria are laid down in a cooperation agreement which is updated - due to the changing statistical environment - every 5 years.
Special principles, concerning concrete statistical products like the BoP, are laid down in service provider contracts.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Oesterreichische Nationalbank together woth Statistics Austria are following the confidentiality policy laid down by the ECB and EUROSTAT.
In Austria, these principles are inacted in the Foreign Exchange Act 2004 and the Federal Statistics Act 2000.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Regarding the MoS data release, Austria is following the same treatment as with STEC: every published cell has to have at least 3 respondnets of which no one should exceed 90% of the data.
8.1. Release calendar
Oesterreichische Nationalbank has a release calendar for external statistics, which follows the guidelines of the IMF's SDDS+.
For MoS, there is yet no predefined release calendar as MoS data will only be published after the full data set (including MoS 3) is available.
For the first release of the full MoS dataset, OeNB and Statistics Austria was planned an introduction of new tables on their websites for January 2026, together with a press release and an analysis article like "Statistics explained".
8.2. Release calendar access
Not available for MoS (yet)
8.3. Release policy - user access
It is planned that starting with a full data set for reporting year 2024, in 2026, data will regularly be released by end-November.
But this has to be aligned with EUROSTAT release policy first.
Annual.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
When the full MoS data set will be for the first time available for reporting year 2024, there will be a press release together with new online tables and an article explaining the metadata and the first results.
This will be released by OeNB and Statistics Austria accordingly.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
With the first full data release of MoS, there will be an accompanying article in STATISTIKEN, Daten & Analysen as well as in the regular publication of Statistics Austria.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
When the first full MoS data set will become available for reporting yeart 2024, online tables will be released which should be accessible on the NCBs and the NSIs websites.
MoS data are based on the BoP and FATS compilation in Austria.
For FATS, Statistics Austria is following the quality guidelines laid down in its standard documentation (see link below).
Regarding the BoP, Oestererichische Natuionalbank is also explaining its data quality programme in a dedicated publication (see link below).
In principle, quality measures are implemented in accepting reports as well as compiling the data and analysing its outcome.
Main examples are checks of deviation of current reports from previous ones, comparing the data with other statistics and analysing time-series on an agregated and micro level.
For the compilation of MoS data in particular, based on the basic data compilations, OeNB and Statistics Austria are following the EUROSTAT guidelines laid down in the MoS Compilers Guide.
In general, according to the information available from the quality reports, the data providers have applied the recommendations available in the Regulation (EU) 2019/2152.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Questions regarding MoS data come from the Ministry of Economic Affairs in Austria.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
MoS data have been realeased for the first time in Austria in 2026, for reporting year 2024.
There is not yet an indication for user satisfaction.
Interest in the data came from the Austrian institute for economic research.
12.3. Completeness
MoS data have been sent to EUROSTAT following the reporting guidelines.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
100%.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
For MoS 1,2 and 4, ITSS data which are compiled for the purpose of the BoP are the primary data source.
These data are compiled using information from various data sources (reports, administrative data, other statistics, Payment data) and can therefore be assessed as highly accurate data.
No systematic errors are known.
Besides, they fulfill completely the prerequisites of international Manuals, especially the IMFs BPM6.
Regarding additional information needed for compiling MoS, Austria makes use of internationally agreed classifications and direct informaton from respondents.
For Mode 3, accuracy follows FATS guidelines.
13.2. Sampling error
The treshold for the ITSS survey in Austria in the non-financial sector is set so that at least 90% of total serviese exports and imports p.a. are captured.
Total reporting population is derived from the SBS and VIES data.
For the insurance industry, there is full reporting obligation (no thresholds set).
For the banking industry, the threshold is set at a minimum of 10 EUR mn for total commission fees according to banking statistics.
Mode 3 data is derived from FATS data; there is no sampling scheme applied and thus no sampling error.
For Outward FATS data, a cutoff threshold applies, for units below the threshold there is no substitution by statistical methods (imputation etc.)
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Data are taken from ITSS surveys and FATS.
No systematic non-sampling errors are known.
13.3.1. Coverage error
MoS data rely on ITSS and FATS data compilation.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
For Modes 1,2 and 4 please refer to the BoP and STEC metadata description which all are based on ITSS data compilation.
For Mode 3, please refer to FATS metadata sedcription.
13.3.2. Measurement error
none.
13.3.3. Non response error
Not applicable.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.4. Processing error
none.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
For the first release of MoS data, Austria relies on a model described in the first edition of the MoS Compilers Guide.
Data are compiled according to the EUROSTAT MoS model.
Where no allocatin of a services to a single Mode is possible, Austria uses information given by the industry of reporting units complemented by direct information from respondents.
14.1. Timeliness
T+10 months for first release of Modes 1,2 and 4.
T+22 months for second release of Modes 1,2 and 4 and first release of Mode 3.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not applicable.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
T+ 22 months.
14.2. Punctuality
Data were sent prior to end of delivery schedule.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Not applicable.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
ITSS and FATS data compilation follow the respective international guidelines.
For MoS, also international models, classifications and direct information from respondents are used.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Full MoS data set for 2023, including Mode 3, will only be compiled in 2025.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Not applicable.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
MoS data are coherent with ITSS/BoP and FATS statistics.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable.
15.4. Coherence - internal
MoS data are internally consistent with ITSS/BoP and FATS.
Up until now, following the MoS Compilers Gudie first and second edition, there are only little additional costs for respondents.
17.1. Data revision - policy
When MoS data for a reference year are reported for the second time, including Mode 3 (FATS), after T+22 months, Modes 1,2 and 4 according to ITSS/BoP are revised.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Data for Modes 1,2 and 4 (ITSS/BoP) Data are aligned with BoP revision policy.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
For MoS compilation, original data from ITSS/BoP and FATS are used complemented by model based compilation and direct information from respondents.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annual.
18.3. Data collection
ITSS/BOP data are mainly compiled by the use of survey data and administrative data sources (VIES).
For the travel item in particular, many different data sources are used (other statistics data, surveys, Payment data, Mobile Positioing Data).
For FATS, surveys and register information are used.
18.4. Data validation
As explained in chapter 11 on quality management, a multi-stage approach is used for data validation.
Ranging from standard validation of reports to comparison with other statistics and time-series analysis on an aggregated and micro-data level.
18.5. Data compilation
For Modes 1,2 and 4, data are taken from ITSS/BoP.
As laid down in the MoS Compilers Gudie first edition, the EUROSTAT MoS model is used, complemented by information from the industry of reporting units and direct information from respondents.
For the second data dissemination, Mode 3 will be integrated with data compiled by Statistics Austria for the FATS domain.
Regarding Mode 1, an estimation of distribution services ist estimated using the expertise from I/O-analysis.
For travel, Austria is incorporating Payments Statistics in a stepwise approach into its standard compilation method.
This should give the possibility to estimate the goods part in EBOPS SD.
For other EBOPS items, it will be evaluated if I/O analysis could also be the source to separate goods from services.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
This metadata aspects can only be calculated for the ITSS survey in the non.-financial sector.
For details please see BoP and STEC metadata description.
18.6. Adjustment
no seasonal adjustments are made.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
Statistics on international supply of services (ISS) by modes of supply (MoS) show how and where services are supplied internationally, namely by answering the question of 'how' services are exchanged across countries and 'where' services are supplied to foreign customers. Detailed information on international supply of services statistics by services category, mode of supply and partner country help policymakers carry out the ongoing and future trade negotiating agenda with facts and strong, evidence-based arguments and they allow to monitor the impact of services trade agreements.
The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), the first multilateral agreement to cover trade in services, defines trade in services as the supply of a service through any of four modes of supply, outlined in the bullet points below.
Mode 1 - cross-border supply: from the territory of one country into the territory of another country;
Mode 2 - consumption abroad: in the territory of one country to the service consumer of another country;
Mode 3 - commercial presence: by a service supplier of one country, through a commercial presence in the territory of another country. The FATS framework is designed to provide information on the activities of enterprises located in foreign markets;
Mode 4 - presence of natural persons: by a service supplier of one country, through the presence of natural persons of that country in the territory of any other country.
Total international supply of services (total of modes 1, 2, 3 and 4)
Mode 1 (‘cross border transactions’),
Mode 2 (‘consumption abroad’),
Mode 3 (‘commercial presence’), and
Mode 4 (‘presence of natural persons’).
Not applicable.
Total international supply of services by all four modes of supply.
Austria
Calendar year.
For MoS 1,2 and 4, ITSS data which are compiled for the purpose of the BoP are the primary data source.
These data are compiled using information from various data sources (reports, administrative data, other statistics, Payment data) and can therefore be assessed as highly accurate data.
No systematic errors are known.
Besides, they fulfill completely the prerequisites of international Manuals, especially the IMFs BPM6.
Regarding additional information needed for compiling MoS, Austria makes use of internationally agreed classifications and direct informaton from respondents.
For Mode 3, accuracy follows FATS guidelines.
Data are reported in national currency (thousands).
Eurostat disseminates data in million euro.
For Modes 1,2 and 4, data are taken from ITSS/BoP.
As laid down in the MoS Compilers Gudie first edition, the EUROSTAT MoS model is used, complemented by information from the industry of reporting units and direct information from respondents.
For the second data dissemination, Mode 3 will be integrated with data compiled by Statistics Austria for the FATS domain.
Regarding Mode 1, an estimation of distribution services ist estimated using the expertise from I/O-analysis.
For travel, Austria is incorporating Payments Statistics in a stepwise approach into its standard compilation method.
This should give the possibility to estimate the goods part in EBOPS SD.
For other EBOPS items, it will be evaluated if I/O analysis could also be the source to separate goods from services.
For MoS compilation, original data from ITSS/BoP and FATS are used complemented by model based compilation and direct information from respondents.
Annual.
T+10 months for first release of Modes 1,2 and 4.
T+22 months for second release of Modes 1,2 and 4 and first release of Mode 3.
ITSS and FATS data compilation follow the respective international guidelines.
For MoS, also international models, classifications and direct information from respondents are used.
Full MoS data set for 2023, including Mode 3, will only be compiled in 2025.
