This directive applies to a wide range of sectors categorised by their level of criticality and size. To learn more about the full scope and find out if your company falls within it, read this comprehensive article.
Although NIS 2 has been in effect since January 2023, EU member states were given until 17 October 2024 to transpose it into national law. However, as of April 2025, only 10 of the 27 EU member states have completed this process (see table below). This delay means that if your business is not operating in one of these countries (Belgium, Croatia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and Slovakia), you may still lack clarity on how the directive will be applied nationally. That is because member states can impose stricter rules or broader scopes beyond the directive’s minimum requirements.
Here is an overview of each EU country’s progress in implementing NIS 2
Country |
NIS 2 stage |
Standard accept |
---|---|---|
Austria |
To be determined |
|
Belgium |
Cyber Fundamentals Framework and ISO 27001:2022 (requires full company scope). A company can also be audited directly by the Centre for CyberSecurity of Belgium |
|
Bulgaria |
Draft law |
Reference to EU standards under the NIS2 Directive |
Croatia |
ISO 27001:2002 |
|
Cyprus |
Draft law |
Framework mapping ISO 27001, NIST SP 800-53, and NIS CG |
Czech Republic |
To be determined |
|
Denmark |
To be determined |
|
Estonia |
National Cyber Security Strategy 2023-2027. |
|
Finland |
ISO 27001 |
|
France |
To be determined |
|
Germany |
To be determined |
|
Greece |
Reference to EU standards under the NIS2 Directive. |
|
Hungary |
Reference to EU standards under the NIS2 Directive |
|
Ireland |
NIST CSF 2.0 |
|
Italy |
National Framework based on NIST CSF adapted to the Italian context |
|
Latvia |
References European and international standards without specifying frameworks |
|
Lithuania |
National framework aligned with ISO 27001 and ENISA |
|
Luxembourg |
To be determined |
|
Malta |
Reference to international and European standards |
|
Netherlands |
Reference to international and European standards |
|
Poland |
To be determined |
|
Portugal |
National Reference Framework for Cybersecurity; reference to European and international Standards. |
|
Romania |
Framework based on ISO 27001 and NIST SP 800-53 |
|
Slovakia |
Reference to international standards |
|
Slovenia |
Standard agnostic; supporting document suggests using ENISA guidelines, ISO 27001/27002, CIS Controls |
|
Spain |
Reference to EU certification schemes and the Esquema Nacional de Seguridad (ENS) |
|
Sweden |
Reference to European and international standards |
The European Cyber Security Organisation (ECSO) regularly updates this information here.
Although many countries are still in the drafting phase of their laws, there is no reason to wait. Organisations can begin preparing for compliance by aligning with widely recognised cybersecurity frameworks such as ISO 27001, NIST or Belgium’s CyberFundamentals (CyFun)
For organisations already following these frameworks, complying with NIS 2 becomes far less overwhelming. In fact, these standards can serve as useful building blocks, helping you prepare before your national laws are finalised.
By following CyFun, Belgian organisations align with nationally recognised best practices and lay a strong foundation for broader NIS 2 compliance, even though CyFun is not formally accepted outside Belgium.
Given the complexity of NIS 2 compliance, especially for organisations operating in multiple countries, it is crucial to start early. Whether you are working with CyFun, ISO 27001, or another framework, you can take concrete steps toward NIS 2 compliance today:
1. Assess current maturity
Conduct a maturity assessment to evaluate the current maturity level and create next steps based on priorities.
2. Map risks
Identify and document risks across operations, systems, and third-party vendors.
3. Evaluate and update controls
Close gaps by addressing deficiencies in policies, controls, and technical safeguards.
4. Establish governance
Define roles, responsibilities, and escalation paths in case of incidents.
5. Create visibility
Use dashboards and automation to gain real-time oversight of compliance and control effectiveness.
6. Manage third parties
NIS 2 requires organisations to assess and monitor risks introduced by external suppliers and partners.
7. Stay informed
Monitor the progress of NIS 2 transposition in your country and adapt as new requirements emerge. Especially if operating in multiple EU jurisdictions, staying informed about local laws is key.
Whether you are just starting or refining an existing program, we can help you move from uncertainty to confidence.
The NIS 2 Directive sets a high standard for cybersecurity across Europe, but it’s not an impossible bar. Frameworks like ISO 27001 and CyberFundamentals (CyFun) offer practical, scalable roadmaps to get there. If your organisation is already working with these standards, you are not starting from scratch, you are simply adapting and improving to meet new legal expectations.
Start now, not later. NIS 2 compliance is a journey that requires time, strategy, and the right tools.