EU Council Adopts Directive Harmonising Corruption Offences and Penalties Across Member States
Summary
The Council of the EU has adopted a new directive harmonising the definition of corruption offences across all 27 member states and establishing common minimum penalty levels. The directive replaces two existing EU instruments from 1997 and 2003, and covers bribery in both public and private sectors, misappropriation, trading in influence, obstruction of justice, and illicit enrichment. Individuals face prison sentences of three to five years depending on the offence, while companies face fines of either 3–5% of total worldwide turnover or €24–40 million.
“Companies will also face penalties, with fines ranging from 3% to 5% of their total worldwide turnover or from €24 to €40 million, depending on the offence.”
Companies with operations or business relationships across multiple EU member states face a newly harmonised criminal exposure for corruption-related conduct. The alternative fine structure (3–5% of worldwide turnover or €24–40 million) means that larger multinationals will face the percentage-based fine as the more significant exposure. Internal compliance teams should map existing anti-corruption policies against the directive's newly harmonised offence categories — particularly 'trading in influence' and 'enrichment from corruption', which may extend liability beyond traditional bribery frameworks in some jurisdictions.
What changed
The directive introduces a harmonised definition of corruption offences across the EU, including bribery in the public and private sectors, misappropriation, trading in influence, obstruction of justice, enrichment from corruption, and concealment. It establishes common minimum penalty levels: individuals face prison sentences of three to five years, while companies face fines of either 3–5% of their total worldwide turnover or €24–40 million, depending on the offence.
Affected parties include businesses operating in EU member states, particularly those engaged in cross-border activities, public procurement, or interactions with public officials. Companies should review their compliance programmes to ensure they address the new harmonised standards. Member states must transpose the directive within 24 months (36 months for risk assessment and national strategy provisions) and establish specialised anti-corruption bodies to prevent corruption and raise public awareness.
Archived snapshot
Apr 21, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
- Council of the EU
- Press release
- 21 April 2026 10:55
Council adopts new EU-wide law to combat corruption
Today, the Council gave the final go-ahead to a new EU law that harmonises the definition of corruption across member states and establishes a common level of penalties to sanction such offences. With measures to prevent corruption and rules to strengthen investigation and prosecution, the law will reinforce the fight against corruption both in the public and private sector.
This new EU directive will replace two existing EU laws: one law from 2003 on corruption in the private sector, and an EU Convention from 1997 on corruption involving EU officials and officials of EU member states.
Harmonised definition of offences
The new rules ensure that key corruption offences are defined and treated in a similar way across the EU. These include bribery in the public and private sectors, misappropriation, trading in influence, obstruction of justice, enrichment from corruption offences, concealment and certain serious violations of unlawful exercise of public function.
Aligned penalties
Under the new EU rules, member states must provide for common minimum levels of penalties for corruption offences, ensuring that maximum penalties are not set too low. Offenders may face prison sentences ranging from three to five years in prison, depending on the offence. Companies will also face penalties, with fines ranging from 3% to 5% of their total worldwide turnover or from €24 to €40 million, depending on the offence.
Member states will also have to put in place specialised bodies to prevent corruption and to raise public awareness regarding corruption, creating a culture of integrity.
International standards
The EU is a party to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), which is the most comprehensive international legal instrument in this field. The directive will update the already existing EU legislative framework and incorporate international standards that are binding on the EU, such as those in the UNCAC.
Next steps
The directive enters into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU. Member states will have 24 months to transpose the directive into national law. An exception applies to provisions on risk assessments and national strategies, for which the deadline is 36 months.
- Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on combatting corruption
- Timeline
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Topics
- Justice, borders and security
- Fighting crime
- Justice
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