EU lawmakers establish a harmonised anti-corruption framework, strengthening criminal offences, corporate liability and penalties across Member States

Directive (EU) 2026/1021 creates a harmonised EU criminal-law framework for corruption, replacing older instruments and requiring Member States to cover offences including public and private-sector bribery, misappropriation, trading in influence, abuse of functions, obstruction of justice and corruption-linked enrichment. It also strengthens rules on penalties, limitation periods, investigative tools, whistleblower protection, prevention bodies and national anti-corruption strategies, with implementation deadlines running from 2028 and, for some prevention requirements, 2029.