Strengthened EU-wide anti-corruption regulations to come into force
- 1 Minute Lesezeit
Under the new Directive on the fight against corruption, more uniform anti-corruption rules will come into force across the EU. The Directive introduces modern rules to improve the prevention, detection, and prosecution of corruption throughout the EU.
The new rules establish a more uniform EU-wide framework by harmonizing the definition of corruption offenses across all Member States—including bribery, embezzlement, excertion of undue influence, the unlawful exercise of public office, obstruction of justice, and illicit enrichment. The directive also sets minimum requirements for criminal sanctions applicable to both individuals and companies.
The Directive is part of a broader anti-corruption agenda, along with the EU Anti-Corruption Strategy, for which a public consultation and a call for contributions are currently open until 6 July 2026.
The explanatory memorandum of the European Commission to be found here.
Source: European Commission, Press Release of June 1, 2026.