Where the law stands, Dossier 2023/0135(COD)
Combating corruption
Combating corruption, replacing Council Framework Decision 2003/568/JHA and the Convention on the fight against corruption involving officials of the European Communities or officials of Member States of the European Union and amending Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council
Ordinary legislative procedure (COD): Parliament and the Council decide together as equals. · First reading
A proposed EU law. Parliament and the Council must agree on the same text: Parliament adopts its position, then negotiates with the Council.
Where it stands
Published as law
Completed: published in the Official Journal on 11 May 2026 and now EU law.
- Referred to committee(done) 1 June 2023
- Committee work(done) Report adopted 31 January 2024
- Tabled for plenary(done) 21 February 2024
- Negotiations with the Council(done) Deal approved in committee 27 January 2026
- Plenary vote(done) Adopted 26 March 2026
- Published as law(done) 11 May 2026
Decided in plenary
26 March 2026 · decision 2
Justice, rule of law & rights, New EU law
Combating corruption
Passed 581 for · 21 against · 42 abstained by an overwhelming majority
AI summary:The directive sets minimum standards for defining and sanctioning corruption, including bribery in public and private sectors, and adds new offences like concealment of corruption proceeds and misconduct in public office.
What changed
Committee draft → Tabled for plenary
AI summary:Adds new offences of illicit political financing, concealment, and misconduct in public office, and expands obstruction of justice. Strengthens prevention by requiring specialised bodies, risk assessments, and transparency measures, and extends obligations to EU institutions. Increases sanctions, including higher fines for legal persons and mandatory disqualifications, and limits immunities. Enhances victims' rights and public participation, and establishes EU-level coordination and reporting mechanisms. The other changes are formal or wording: updated references, corrected cross-references, and rephrased provisions.
Who works on it
- Lead committee
- Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
- The MEP who drafts the report and negotiates it on behalf of the committee.
- Raquel García Hermida-Van der Walle (Renew)
- An MEP who follows a report on behalf of their own group when another group holds the rapporteur.
- David Casa (EPP), Chloé Ridel (S&D), Jorge Buxadé Villalba (Patriots), Mariusz Kamiński (ECR), Daniel Freund (Greens), Giuseppe Antoci (The Left)
The text, version by version
Newest first.
Adopted by Parliament· 26 Mar 2026
AI summary:Parliament's amended version of the proposed directive on combating corruption, which replaces Council Framework Decision 2003/568/JHA and the Convention on the fight against corruption involving officials of the European Communities or officials of Member States of the European Union, and amends Directive (EU) 2017/1371.
Tabled for plenary· 21 Feb 2024
AI summary:Parliament's amended version of the proposed directive on combating corruption sets minimum rules for defining corruption offences and sanctions, and measures to prevent and fight corruption at national and Union level.
Committee draft· 21 Sept 2023
AI summary:The draft report amends the Commission's proposed directive on combating corruption, setting minimum rules for criminalising bribery, illicit enrichment, concealment, and misconduct in public office, and aligning the PIF Directive with these standards.
Committee opinions: Draft opinion (CONT), Opinion (CONT)
Timeline
Newest first.
Outcome 2 steps
11 May 2026
Published in the Official Journal
The act is now EU law.
29 April 2026
Signed by the Presidents of Parliament and the Council
The last step before the act is published in the Official Journal.
Plenary stage 3 steps
26 March 2026
Plenary vote
Sitting of 26 Mar 2026 Adopted text TA10-0094/2026Report A9-0048/2024
25 March 2026
Debated in plenary
MEPs debated the text in the chamber ahead of the vote.
Sitting of 25 Mar 2026 Council / Commission text C9-0162/2023Report A9-0048/2024
17 March – 23 March 2026
226 amendments tabled for the plenary vote
Groups propose changes to the tabled text; each is voted on before the final vote.
Negotiations with the Council 7 steps
27 January 2026
Committee approved the deal reached with the Council
The provisional agreement from the trilogues goes to the whole Parliament for a vote.
2 December 2025
Trilogue meeting
Negotiation between Parliament, Council and Commission on a common text.
16 June 2025
Trilogue meeting
Negotiation between Parliament, Council and Commission on a common text.
6 May 2025
Trilogue meeting
Negotiation between Parliament, Council and Commission on a common text.
26 March 2025
Trilogue meeting
Negotiation between Parliament, Council and Commission on a common text.
28 January 2025
Trilogue meeting
Negotiation between Parliament, Council and Commission on a common text.
27 February 2024
Plenary endorsed the mandate to negotiate with the Council
Parliament’s negotiators can now seek a compromise text with the Council (in “trilogues”).
Plenary stage 1 step
21 February 2024
Report tabled for plenary
This is the text all MEPs vote on. Political groups can still table amendments to it.
Committee stage 4 steps
31 January 2024
Committee vote: report adopted
LIBE (Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs) voted on the amendments and adopted the report that goes to plenary.
7 November 2023
CONT (Budgetary Control) adopted its opinion
The opinion is attached to the report for the lead committee to consider.
21 September 2023
Draft report published
The rapporteur’s first text in LIBE (Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs). Members can table amendments before the committee votes.
1 June 2023
Referred to the LIBE (Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs) committee
The lead committee prepares Parliament’s report.
Official record: Legislative Observatory, 2023/0135(COD)