Europe’s new Anti-Corruption Directive and the shift toward smarter integrity systems

Posted on 07.05.2026

The European Union has reached a decisive milestone in its anti-corruption agenda. On 21 April 2026, the Council of the European Union formally adopted a Directive establishing an EU-wide framework to prevent and combat corruption. The Directive harmonises the definition of corruption offences across Member States and establishes common minimum rules on penalties, investigation, and prevention measures applicable to both the public and private sectors.

This legislative development reflects a broader shift in global anti-corruption thinking, identified in the OECD Anti-Corruption and Integrity Outlook 2026. The OECD observes that the most effective anti-corruption systems increasingly move beyond reliance on heavy, prescriptive compliance frameworks. Instead, leading jurisdictions are embracing digital, risk-based, and results-oriented approaches that better target high-impact corruption risks and respond to rapidly evolving patterns of fraud.

Beyond governance considerations, corruption and fraud also generate substantial and measurable economic losses. The OECD estimates that around 5% of global corporate resources are lost annually due to fraud and corruption, underscoring the need for agile prevention and detection systems.

This evolution was also echoed at the OECD Global Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum, where participants from the public and private sectors emphasised the importance of strong enforcement, sound governance, and adaptive integrity frameworks.

In this context, the European Commission is expected to unveil its anti‑corruption strategy in 2026, as the next step in consolidating the EU’s overall policy response.

For more information, please contact Marta Paci, Senior Officer – Legal Counsel.