Anti-corruption

Corruption, commonly referred to as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, is a multi-sector phenomenon, present both in the public and private sector, and in the political arena. While corruption can take the form of petty crime or complex high-level corruption, it can also hide behind favouritism and nepotism, conflicts of interest and revolving doors – where business meets politics.

Corruption is harmful to society. It constitutes a threat to security as it enables and drives organised crime, terrorism, and other forms of crimes, including money-laundering or drug trafficking. Corruption deepens inequalities, erodes citizens’ trust in public institutions, undermines good governance and social justice, and constitutes a serious threat to the rule of law, democracy, and fundamental rights. Corruption also has a negative impact on prosperity and economic growth by creating business uncertainty, lowering investment levels, hampering fair competition and reducing public finances. It also adversely affects government objectives that focus on improving income disparity and environmental protection.

The European Union is one of the least corrupt regions in the world. However, none of the EU countries is fully free from corruption. Although its nature and scope may differ from one EU country to another, corruption harms the EU as a whole:

• Corruption is estimated to cost the European Union between EUR 179 billion and EUR 990 billion per year, amounting to up to 6% of its GDP.
• 69% of Europeans believe that corruption is widespread in their countries - an increase of 1 point compared to 2024 ( 2025 Corruption Eurobarometer Survey).
• 35% of EU businesses consider corruption to be a problem in doing business, (2025 Eurobarometer Survey: Business’ attitudes towards corruption ).
• 60% of EU business agree with the statement that bribery and the use of connections is often the easiest way to obtain certain public services, ( 2025 Eurobarometer survey: Business’ attitudes towards corruption).

In May 2026, Directive 2026/1021 on combatting corruption entered into force. The directive sets EU-wide standards, in order to address corruption more efficiently and effectively across the Union.  The Directive harmonises the definition of corruption offences across Member States - going beyond bribery. The minimum level of criminal penalties is also harmonised for both individuals and companies. The Directive will  contribute to making investigations and the prosecution of corruption more effective. It also includes provisions aimed at strengthening preventive and integrity measures in Member States, for example with the adoption of national anti-corruption strategies. Member states will have two years to transpose its provisions into national law.

To complement the EU directive the Commission, to develop a comprehensive approach across different policy areas and to address new corruption risks, the Commission is currently preparing the first EU Anti- Corruption Strategy. 

The strategy will further transform the EU’s political commitment and vision into concrete actions aiming to strengthen democracy, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms.  

In order to ensure a whole-of-society-approach, broad consultation activities are ongoing, including a Call for Evidence and an Open Public Consultation, which are both open for feedback until 6 July 2026. 

The adoption of the strategy is planned for the end of 2026.

An EU network against corruption, bringing together law enforcement, public authorities, practitioners, civil society and other stakeholders, will act as a catalyst for corruption prevention across the EU. One key task of the EU network will be to support the Commission to map common areas where corruption risks are high across the EU.

More about anti-corruption

EU’s approach to fight corruption

The European Commission's anti-corruption efforts are centred on the following main pillars:

• Accompanying Members States in the implementation of the Anti-Corruption Directive
• Mainstreaming anti-corruption provisions in EU law
• Monitoring efforts of EU countries in preventing and fighting corruption, and building dialogue with national anti-corruption contact points
• Supporting the implementation of anti-corruption measures at national level through funding, technical assistance and experience-sharing
• Improving the quantitative evidence-base for anti-corruption policy
• Promoting the fight against corruption globally, through the participation in relevant international anti-corruption meetings
• Work on an EU wide anti corruption strategy

While the true social cost of corruption cannot be measured merely by the amount of bribes paid or by public funds being diverted, corruption has socio-economic effects on governance, politics, business, and security. As such, corruption poses a serious threat to the EU and our citizens.

This is why the fight against corruption is a key political priority for the EU.