New Law to Fight Corruption Across Europe

European Parliament Directive on Combating Corruption – Key Points (simplified)

• What it is: A new EU law that replaces the old 2003/568/JHA decision and the 1997 Convention on corruption involving EU officials. It also amends the 2017/1371 fraud‑fight directive.
• When it was adopted: First reading on 26 March 2026.
• Who it applies to:
• Public officials (including EU staff, national officials, and anyone performing a public service).
• Private‑sector employees who direct or work for a company.
• High‑level officials (heads of government, ministers, judges, etc.).
• Main offences defined:

1. Bribery – active (giving a bribe) or passive (accepting a bribe).
2. Misappropriation – stealing or misusing public or private property.
3. Trading in influence – offering or receiving a bribe to influence a public decision.
4. Unlawful exercise of public functions – serious legal violations by a public official.
5. Obstruction of justice – threatening witnesses or tampering with evidence.
6. Enrichment from corruption – owning property that came from a corruption offence.
7. Concealment – hiding the source or nature of corrupt proceeds.
8. Inciting, aiding, abetting, or attempting – encouraging or helping a corruption offence.

• Penalties for individuals:

• Max imprisonment 5 years for bribery that breaches duties.

• Max imprisonment 4 years for other bribery, misappropriation, enrichment, concealment, or aiding/abetting.

• Max imprisonment 3 years for bribery that does not breach duties, and for trading in influence.

• If the offence caused more than €100 000 in damage or advantage, it is treated as “considerable” and the higher penalties apply.

• If the damage or advantage is less than €10 000, non‑criminal penalties (e.g., fines, bans) may be used.

• Penalties for companies:

• Fines up to 5 % of worldwide turnover (or €40 million) for bribery, misappropriation, or enrichment.

• Fines up to 3 % of worldwide turnover (or €24 million) for trading in influence, obstruction, or concealment.

• Other sanctions can include bans from public contracts, removal of licences, or judicial winding‑up.

• Other key requirements:

• National anti‑corruption strategies must be drafted and published.

• Anti‑corruption bodies (preventive and investigative) must exist and be independent.

• Training for public officials, judges, and law‑enforcement officers on corruption risks.

• Whistleblower protection: safe channels and legal safeguards for those reporting corruption.

• Data collection: Member States must report statistics on corruption cases, convictions, fines, and penalties.

• Cooperation: Cross‑border investigations must use Europol’s SIENA network and Eurojust.

• Jurisdiction: Member States can prosecute offences committed on their territory or by their nationals, even if the crime started elsewhere.

• Limitation periods:

• 8 years for serious offences (e.g., bribery with damage >€100 k).

• 5 years for other serious offences.

• 10 years for enforcement of penalties after conviction.

• Transposition deadline: 24 months after entry into force (36 months for strategy and strategy‑related measures).

• Evaluation: The Commission will report on implementation after 4 years and on effectiveness after 6 years.

• Entry into force: 20 days after publication in the Official Journal.

• Special notes:

• Ireland will participate; Denmark will not.

• The directive respects fundamental rights, including the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial.

This directive sets a common, stricter baseline for fighting corruption across the EU, making it easier for Member States to prosecute offenders, protect whistleblowers, and cooperate internationally.

Broader Context

This directive is part of the EU’s ongoing effort to standardize and strengthen anti-corruption laws across all member countries. Before this law, each EU country had its own rules and penalties for corruption, which sometimes made it hard to prosecute crimes that crossed borders or involved officials from different countries. The EU has been under pressure for years to close legal loopholes and improve trust in public institutions, especially after high-profile corruption scandals in several member states. This law also aligns with global anti-corruption standards, like those set by the United Nations and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Impact on EU Citizens

For most people living in the EU, this law means stronger protections and clearer rules. If you work in the public sector or for a company, you may see new training programs about corruption risks and how to report suspicious activities. Whistleblowers—people who report corruption—will have better legal protection, so they can speak up without fear of losing their job or facing retaliation. If you run a business, you’ll need to be more careful about bribes or unfair advantages, as penalties for companies are now much higher. For everyone, the law aims to make it harder for corrupt officials or business leaders to get away with misuse of power or public money, which should help build trust in government and fair competition in the economy.

What’s New Compared to Before

This directive introduces several new elements: it covers more types of corruption (like “trading in influence” and “enrichment”), sets minimum penalties for both individuals and companies, and requires all EU countries to have independent anti-corruption agencies. Previously, some countries had weaker laws or no specific agencies to fight corruption. Now, everyone in the EU is protected by the same basic standards, and cooperation between countries is stronger.