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. "I would like to focus on corruption, with all its faces. The face of foreign agents trying to influence our political system. The face of shady companies or foundations abusing public money. We must also eradicate corruption at home. That is why we will present measures to update our legislative framework for fighting corruption. It erodes trust in our institutions. So, we must fight back with the full force of the law." 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.70% of Europeans believe that corruption is widespread in their countries - an increase of 2 points compared to 2022 (2023 Corruption Eurobarometer Survey).35% of EU businesses consider corruption to be a problem in doing business, (2023 Eurobarometer survey: Business’ attitudes towards corruption).59% of EU business agree with the statement that bribery and the use of connections is often the easiest way to obtain certain public services, (2023 Eurobarometer survey: Business’ attitudes towards corruption).On 3 May 2023, the Commission adopted anti-corruption package. This includes a proposal for a new Directive on combating corruption by criminal law. It aims to update and harmonise EU rules on definitions and penalties for corruption offences to ensure high standards against the full range of corruption crimes. It provides also for corruption prevention. Prevention helps to support a culture of integrity, in which corruption and impunity are not tolerated.The set of measures include new and strengthened rules criminalising corruption offences and harmonising penalties across the EU, as well as a dedicated Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) sanctions regime to target serious acts of corruption worldwide. These new measures place a strong focus on prevention and creating a culture of integrity, in which corruption is not tolerated and at the same time, strengthen enforcement tools.The Package includes a Joint Communication on the fight against Corruption, through which the Commission and the High Representative bring together existing work and develop new directions and new tools at both EU and Member State level, also feeding into a clear commitment to tackling corruption at the global level. 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. The work of the EU network will feed into an EU anti-corruption strategy, to be developed in consultation with the European Parliament and the Council, to maximise the impact and coherence of EU actions. EU legislation on anti-corruptionThe EU assists anti-corruption efforts through ensuring harmonised legislation.EU Rule of Law ReportThe aim of the Rule of Law Report is to look at key developments in the area of the rule of law across the whole EU – including corruption.Corruption in organised crimeCorruption and organised crime are intrinsically linked and mutually reinforcing each other.Protecting the EU’s financial interestProtecting the Next Generation EU funds through various EU tools, services and agencies.Fighting corruption at global levelPrevention and repression of corruption are at the heart of EU’s external policies.EU network against corruptionThe Commission regularly organises anti-corruption experience-sharing. workshops across the EU and funds various projects in relation to the fight against corruption.Corruption in the public opinionThe Commission carries out its own surveys on corruption involving citizens and businesses (Eurobarometer surveys). EU’s approach to fight corruption The European Commission's anti-corruption efforts are centred on the following main pillars:Mainstreaming anti-corruption provisions in EU lawMonitoring efforts of EU countries in preventing and fighting corruption, and building dialogue with national anti-corruption contact pointsSupporting the implementation of anti-corruption measures at national level through funding, technical assistance and experience-sharingImproving the quantitative evidence-base for anti-corruption policyPromoting the fight against corruption globally, through the participation in relevant international anti-corruption meetingsUpdating and modernising the EU anti-corruption frameworkWhile 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. News on corruption27 November 2024EU and UNODC held their third Anti-Corruption Dialogue 2 min read4 November 2024Commission presents a new study on areas most at risk of corruption1 min read3 October 2024The Commission hosts the second plenary of the EU Network Against Corruption1 min read5 September 2024A new Forum against Corruption promises better coordination at global level 1 min read24 July 2024The Rule of Law Report and Commission surveys show concerns over governments’ efforts to tackle corruption effectively2 min read27 June 2024EU network against corruption: workshop on asset declaration systems1 min read30 May 2024Commission provides EUR 3 million to support fight against corruption 1 min read15 January 2024Strong EU representation at the UN Convention against Corruption Conference of States Parties 20231 min read8 December 2023“Fight corruption in the EU and worldwide” – International Anti-Corruption Day1 min read27 November 2023Workshop on anticorruption and integrity research 2 min read17 November 2023The EU moves forward with its implementation review of the UN Convention against Corruption 2 min read6 October 2023EU and UNODC meet for 2nd Anti-Corruption Dialogue 4 min read5 October 2023UNODC, Czechia and Niue officials’ open call for civil society discussion in Brussels1 min read21 September 2023EU network against corruption convenes for the first time in Brussels2 min read5 July 2023The Commission’s 2023 surveys on corruption show growing scepticism among Europeans 2 min read8 June 2023EU Justice Scoreboard adds anti corruption data to its annual findings 2 min read3 May 2023Stronger rules to fight corruption 1 min read21 March 2023EU anti-corruption package: Commission meets with Member States and stakeholders on 13-14 March 20232 min read15 February 2023Handbook of good practices in the fight against corruption2 min read20 January 2023The European Commission asks for the public’s view in the fight against corruption2 min read
EU legislation on anti-corruptionThe EU assists anti-corruption efforts through ensuring harmonised legislation.
EU Rule of Law ReportThe aim of the Rule of Law Report is to look at key developments in the area of the rule of law across the whole EU – including corruption.
Corruption in organised crimeCorruption and organised crime are intrinsically linked and mutually reinforcing each other.
Protecting the EU’s financial interestProtecting the Next Generation EU funds through various EU tools, services and agencies.
Fighting corruption at global levelPrevention and repression of corruption are at the heart of EU’s external policies.
EU network against corruptionThe Commission regularly organises anti-corruption experience-sharing. workshops across the EU and funds various projects in relation to the fight against corruption.
Corruption in the public opinionThe Commission carries out its own surveys on corruption involving citizens and businesses (Eurobarometer surveys).
5 September 2024A new Forum against Corruption promises better coordination at global level 1 min read
24 July 2024The Rule of Law Report and Commission surveys show concerns over governments’ efforts to tackle corruption effectively2 min read
15 January 2024Strong EU representation at the UN Convention against Corruption Conference of States Parties 20231 min read
8 December 2023“Fight corruption in the EU and worldwide” – International Anti-Corruption Day1 min read
17 November 2023The EU moves forward with its implementation review of the UN Convention against Corruption 2 min read
5 October 2023UNODC, Czechia and Niue officials’ open call for civil society discussion in Brussels1 min read
5 July 2023The Commission’s 2023 surveys on corruption show growing scepticism among Europeans 2 min read
21 March 2023EU anti-corruption package: Commission meets with Member States and stakeholders on 13-14 March 20232 min read
20 January 2023The European Commission asks for the public’s view in the fight against corruption2 min read