MEPs and Council negotiators have reached a provisional agreement on the European Union’s first directive to harmonize criminal laws against corruption. The new measures are designed to make prevention and prosecution of corruption more effective throughout the EU by establishing common definitions, sanctions, and operational rules.
The directive aims to address inconsistencies between national legal systems that offenders may exploit. It will set unified definitions for offences such as bribery, misappropriation of funds, and obstruction of justice. Additionally, the directive introduces a common maximum prison sentence across member states, though countries retain the option to impose stricter penalties if they choose.
Cooperation among national authorities and EU bodies like the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Europol, and Eurojust will be reinforced under these new rules. The agreement also covers liability for legal entities and aligns with existing legislation that protects EU financial interests.
A key aspect secured by Parliament is the annual publication of EU-wide corruption data in accessible formats. Each member state will also be required to publish a national anti-corruption strategy developed in consultation with civil society and relevant authorities.
Following the negotiations, Parliament’s rapporteur Raquel García Hermida-van der Walle stated: “Tonight we achieved a breakthrough for citizens expecting the EU to improve their lives, and the first significant step forward in years to strengthen the rule of law. People and businesses will benefit from clearer, more consistent rules, regardless of where they are in our Union. Parliament entered these negotiations with ambition and got a win for Europe – and we will be prepared to go further when the member states are ready to take the next steps.”
The agreement still requires formal approval from both Parliament and Council before it can take effect.
The proposal for this directive was part of an anti-corruption package presented by the Commission on May 3, 2023. Corruption was defined as an area of serious crime with cross-border implications under Article 83 TFEU. According to a 2025 Eurobarometer survey on attitudes towards corruption, most Europeans believe corruption is widespread in their country while many think high-level cases are not sufficiently pursued.
