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Historic anti-corruption law adopted: Liberals and Democrats increase protection for citizens and democracy

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Nicholas Petre

March 26, 2026

Renew Europe welcomes today’s final adoption by the European Parliament of the new EU anti-corruption law, marking the successful conclusion of interinstitutional negotiations and delivering tougher sanctions, stronger prevention and greater protection for citizens and journalists across Europe.

Corruption costs Europeans billions every year. It distorts fair competition, weakens public services, erodes trust in governments and undermines democracy itself. With this vote, the European Parliament sends a clear message: there will be no safe havens for corruption in Europe.

“This law is about a Europe where journalists can work without fear, and where public systems serve citizens, not insiders. This directive brings us closer to a Europe where corruption cannot decide who gets a job, a permit, or justice. A Europe where citizens can trust their institutions again. That is the Europe we want to build.”
“This law is historic. Corruption has caused journalists to be silenced, citizens to be killed, lives cut short. Behind every statistic is a name, a story, and a future denied. Corruption also drains billions from our economies, erodes trust in government, and undermines democracy itself. Left unchecked, it threatens the very foundation of our Union. This law is about defending Europe at its core and delivering for our citizens.”
Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle
Renew Europe MEP, Netherlands, Democraten 66

The new law sets common minimum standards across the European Union on corruption offences and penalties, including bribery in the public and private sectors, misappropriation, trading in influence, obstruction of justice and illicit enrichment. It strengthens enforcement by ensuring authorities have sufficient time to investigate complex cases and by improving investigative tools.

In practical terms, this means that if a company wins a public contract because it paid a bribe, or if someone is denied a job or a permit because they refused to pay one, authorities across the EU will now have clearer legal definitions, more time to build cases and stronger penalties to ensure corruption does not go unpunished.

Member States will also be required to reassess their anti-corruption systems, reinforce them where they fall short and develop comprehensive national strategies to prevent corruption at its roots. By aligning sanctions across the Union, the new framework prevents a race to the bottom while enabling judges to impose stronger, genuinely dissuasive penalties. By setting higher common standards, the law contributes to a safer Europe for citizens and journalists, but also for businesses and investors.

LIBE Corruption anti-corruption