Adopted text, 26 March 2026

Combating corruption

Document TA-10-2026-0094 · P10_TA(2026)0094 · PE753.573

Adopted in plenary on Thursday, 26 March 2026 · Passed 581 for, 21 against, 42 abstained · See the decision →
Where the law stands · dossier 2023/0135 →

AI:In short

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. It lays down rules to prevent and fight corruption in the public and private sectors, including definitions, offences, penalties, and measures for enforcement and prevention.

Key points

Defines corruption offences, including bribery, misappropriation, trading in influence, and abuse of functions, covering both public and private sectors.
Sets minimum penalties for natural persons, including imprisonment for serious offences, and for legal persons, including fines and disqualification from business activities.
Requires member states to establish rules on jurisdiction, including for offences committed by their nationals or for their benefit, and to ensure effective investigation and prosecution.
Mandates measures to protect whistleblowers, witnesses, and victims of corruption, and to ensure the recovery of assets derived from corruption.
Calls for the establishment of specialised authorities and the use of financial investigations and digital tools to combat corruption.
Requires member states to collect and report data on corruption offences and to cooperate with the Commission and other member states.

Who is affected

Member states, which must transpose the directive into national law and ensure compliance.
Public officials and private sector employees, who are subject to new definitions and penalties for corruption offences.
Legal persons, including companies, which face fines and other sanctions for corruption-related activities.
Whistleblowers, witnesses, and victims of corruption, who receive enhanced protection.

Figures and deadlines

Directive (EU) 2026/1021

Legal basis. Article 82(1), point (d), and Article 83(1) and (2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union

Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 4 Sept 2026 · Report a problem

Full text

Text 20 paragraphs

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

European Parliament legislative resolution of 26 March 2026 on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on 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 (COM(2023)0234 – C9-0162/2023 – 2023/0135(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

–having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2023)0234),

–having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 82(1), point (d), and Article 83(1) and (2), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C9-0162/2023),

–having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–having regard to the reasoned opinions submitted, within the framework of Protocol No 2 on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, by the Swedish Parliament and the Italian Chamber of Deputies, asserting that the draft legislative act does not comply with the principle of subsidiarity,

having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 25 October 2023,

–having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions of 29 November 2023,

–having regard to the provisional agreement approved by the committee responsible under Rule 75(4) of its Rules of Procedure and the undertaking given by the Council representative by letter of 10 December 2025 to approve Parliament’s position, in accordance with Article 294(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–having regard to Rule 60 of its Rules of Procedure,

Read the rest (8 paragraphs)

–having regard to the opinion of the Committee on Budgetary Control,

–having regard to the report of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (A9-0048/2024),

1.Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;

2.Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal;

3.Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

P10_TC1-COD(2023)0135

Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 26 March 2026 with a view to the adoption of Directive (EU) 2026/… of the European Parliament and of the Council on combatting 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

(As an agreement was reached between Parliament and Council, Parliament's position corresponds to the final legislative act, Directive (EU) 2026/1021.)