Text · Comparison of two versions
Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report
LIBE-PR-753573 → A-9-2024-0048
- From
- LIBE-PR-753573 report parliamentary committee draft of 21 Sept 2023
- To
- A-9-2024-0048 Plenary report of 21 Feb 2024
- Changes
- 70 changes to the text
- Paragraphs
- +151 added · −73 removed · 45 changed
More facts (3)
- Dossier
- 2023/0135(COD)
- Title (from)
- 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
- Title (to)
- 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
AI: What changed, in short Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds new offences of illicit political financing, concealment, and misconduct in public office, and expands obstruction of justice.16314243 Strengthens prevention by requiring specialised bodies, risk assessments, and transparency measures, and extends obligations to EU institutions.12812 Increases sanctions, including higher fines for legal persons and mandatory disqualifications, and limits immunities.17192122 Enhances victims' rights and public participation, and establishes EU-level coordination and reporting mechanisms.473435 The other changes are formal or wording: updated references, corrected cross-references, and rephrased provisions.56910
The notes class 60 changes as substance, 7 as formal, 3 as wording only.
Changes that matter, 70
Changes to the text in document order — the ones the change notes describe. Cover page, renumbering and punctuation-only edits are left out (see “Every difference”); changes to citations and references stay in and are marked as formal in the notes.
Change 1
RemovedRecital 5: (5) To root out corruption, both preventive and repressive mechanisms are needed. Member States are encouraged to take a wide range of preventive, legislative and cooperative measures as part of the fight against corruption. Whereas corruption is first and foremost a crime and specific acts of corruption are defined in national and international law, failings in integrity, undisclosed conflicts of interests or serious breaches of ethical rules can become corrupt activities if left unaddressed. The prevention of corruption mitigates the need for criminal repression and has wider benefits in promoting public trust and managing the conduct of public officials. Effective anti-corruption approaches often build on measures to enhance transparency, ethics and integrity, as well as by regulating in areas such as conflict of interest, lobbying and revolving doors. Public bodies should seek the highest standards of integrity, transparency and independence as an important part of tackling corruption more broadly. A fundamental pillar for efficient, transparent and effective Member States that are free of corruption, is a public service staffed with individuals of the highest level of skill and integrity. Such staffing of public service can be achieved through enhancing transparency, efficiency and the use of objective criteria in the recruitment and promotion of public officials.
AddedRecital 1 a (new): (1a) Member States should be provided with the tools and measures to combat the most serious corrupt behaviour, involving abuse of high level power or causing serious harm to societies. In order to ensure improved track record of tackling high level corruption cases across all Member States, it is imperative that national authorities dispose of specific measures with regards to the prevention, repression, investigation and prosecution of cases involving high level officials or gross misappropriation of public funds or resources.
RemovedRecital 5 a (new): (5a) Public procurement is particularly vulnerable to corruption. In order to fight corruption efficiently, it is important that Member States strengthen the transparency of public procurement processes by enabling stakeholder participation, better access to information, including through the use of e-procurement, as well as oversight and control those procurement processes.
AddedRecital 1 b (new): (1b) Combating corruption is essential for strengthening the quality of democracy and for the full realization of the Rule of Law. It is considered fundamental, for a good anti-corruption strategy, to act upstream of the phenomenon, preventing the existence of contexts that generate corrupt practices.
AddedRecital 3: (3) The existing legal framework should be updated and strengthened to facilitate an effective fight against corruption across the Union. This Directive aims to criminalise corruption offences when committed intentionally. Intention and knowledge may be inferred from objective and factual circumstances. As this Directive provides for minimum rules, Member States remain free to adopt or maintain more stringent criminal law rules for corruption offences. Nothing in this Directive is to be interpreted as grounds for reduction in the level of protection already afforded by existing criminal law rules for corruption offences.
AddedRecital 4: (4) Corruption is a transnational phenomenon that affects all societies and economies. Measures adopted at national or Union level, should recognise this international dimension. Diverse manifestations of corruption necessitate a coordinated and harmonized approach among Member States to address its root causes and consequences effectively. Union action should therefore take into account the work of the Group of States against Corruption of the Council of Europe (GRECO), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Office against Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
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AddedRecital 5: (5) To root out corruption, both preventive and repressive mechanisms are needed. Member States are encouraged to take a wide range of preventive, legislative and cooperative measures as part of the fight against corruption. Whereas corruption is first and foremost a crime and specific acts of corruption are defined in national and international law, failings in integrity, undisclosed conflicts of interests or serious breaches of ethical rules can become corrupt activities if left unaddressed. The prevention of corruption mitigates the need for criminal repression and has wider benefits in promoting public trust and managing the conduct of public officials. Effective anti-corruption approaches in all Member States should build on measures to enhance transparency, ethics and integrity, as well as by regulating in areas considered to be enablers of corruption, such as conflict of interest, lobbying and revolving doors, public procurements and political parties financing. Public bodies should seek the highest standards of integrity, transparency and independence as an important part of tackling corruption more broadly. A fundamental pillar for efficient, transparent and effective Member States that are free of corruption, is a public service staffed with individuals of the highest level of skill and integrity. Such staffing of public service can be achieved through enhancing transparency, efficiency and the use of objective criteria in the recruitment and promotion of public off…
AddedRecital 5 a (new): (5a) Public procurement, as a key interface between the public and private sectors, is particularly vulnerable to corruption, given the significant financial interests at stake and the complexity of procurement processes. Recognizing that these vulnerabilities can lead to inefficiencies, misallocation of public resources, and a loss of public trust in governmental institutions, robust measures are needed to enhance transparency, oversight, and accountability in public procurement processes. This includes establishing clear guidelines, promoting digital solutions for traceability, ensuring rigorous auditing mechanisms, and providing platforms for whistleblower protections and public scrutiny. In order to fight corruption efficiently, it is important that Member States strengthen the transparency of public procurement processes by enabling stakeholder participation, better access to information, including through the use of e-procurement, as well as oversight and control those procurement processes.
AI: Note on change 1 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds new recitals on high-level corruption, prevention, and public procurement, and expands recital 5 to include regulation of lobbying, revolving doors, and political financing.
Change 2
RemovedRecital 10: (10) It is necessary to strenghten the legal framework to combat bribery and to provide law enforcement and prosecution with the necessary tools. In bribery of public officials, there are two sides to distinguish. Active bribery exists when a person promises, offers, rewards or gives an advantage of any kind to influence a public official. Passive bribery exists when the public official requests or receives such advantages in order to act or to refrain from acting in a certain way. This Directive should also set minimum rules on bribery and other forms of corruption in the private sector, where the immediate victims include companies that are impacted unfairly and where free competition is diminished by each bribe offered or accepted.
AddedRecital 5 c (new): (5c) Corruption phenomena strike at the heart of democracy, wounding it in its fundamental principles, namely those of equality, transparency, integrity, impartiality, legality, and fair redistribution of wealth. They have profoundly harmful economic effects, such as increased public spending, through interventions devoid of real interest, benefiting private individuals, deterring investors, and distorting competition rules.
RemovedRecital 14: (14) Obstruction of justice is a criminal offence committed in support of corruption. It is therefore necessary to lay down a criminal offence for the obstruction of justice, which entails the exercise of physical force, threats or intimidation, or the inducement of false testimony or evidence. Actions to interfere in the giving of testimony or production of evidence, or with the exercise of official duties by judicial or law enforcement officials, as well as the destruction, alteration, concealment or falsification of evidence should also be covered. In line with the UNCAC, this Directive only applies to the obstruction of justice concerning proceedings relating to a corruption offence.
AddedRecital 6: (6) Member States should have in place bodies or units specialised in the repression and investigation and specialised in the prevention of corruption. The management of the specialised bodies or units should be appointed through an open and transparent procedure in full compliance with the principle of legislative oversight, including several branches of government, to ensure public trust in the national anti-corruption bodies and avoid potential conflicts of interest. Providing such specialised bodies or units with a clear mandate enshrined in law is paramount not only to ensuring their permanence, but also to increasing awareness among the public as to what the body, unit or agency’s powers and responsibilities are. Member States may decide to entrust a body with a combination of preventive and law enforcement functions. In order to ensure that these bodies operate effectively, they should meet a number of conditions, including having the independence, resources and powers that are necessary to ensure the proper administration of their tasks. All Member States should also create integrated services specifically tasked with duties related to the investigation and prosecution of corruption offences. Member States should equip such integrated anti-corruption investigation and prosecution services with specialised personnel, adequate technical means, and financial resources to ensure their full autonomy and a high degree of professionalism.
RemovedRecital 15: (15) Corruption feeds off the motivation for undue economic and other advantages. In order to reduce the incentive for individuals and criminal organisations to commit new criminal acts and deter individuals from consenting to becoming fake property owners enrichment by corruption offences should be criminalised. This should, in turn, complicate the concealment of illicitly acquired property and reduce the spread of corruption as well as the damage done to society. Transparency helps competent authorities to detect possible illicit enrichment. officials should therefore be required to declare their assets and interests at regular intervals, including when taking up and completing duties, so that competent authorities, or independent entities, can assess whether the declared assets correspond to declared incomes, as well as detect potential conflicts of interest and revolving doors situations.
AddedRecital 6 a (new): (6a) Raising citizens' awareness about the scope, characteristics, and effects of corruption requires the design of campaigns that, in accessible language, warn about daily improper behaviours associated with corruption phenomena, thereby helping a better detection of such phenomena, while also promoting their rejection. This approach is also essential for shaping more demanding, attentive, and less tolerant citizens to corrupt behaviour.
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AddedRecital 9: (9) To avoid impunity for corruption offences in the public sector, the scope of application needs to be well defined. First of all, the concept of public official should also cover persons working in international organisations, including the institutions, agencies and bodies of the European Union and international courts. This should, amongst other things, encompass persons acting as members of collegial bodies responsible for deciding on the guilt of an accused person in the framework of a trial, as well as persons who by virtue of an arbitration agreement are called upon to render a legally binding decision in disputes submitted by the parties to the arbitration agreement. Secondly, many entities or persons nowadays exercise public functions without holding a formal office. Therefore, the concept of public official is defined to cover all relevant officials, whether appointed, elected or employed on the basis of a contract, holding a formal administrative or judicial office, as well as all persons providing a service, which have been vested with public authority or who are subject to the control or supervision of public authorities in relation to the carrying out of such a service, even if they do not hold formal office. This Directive should also apply to all public officials who exercise their functions in relation to the implementation of the EU budget. For the purposes of this Directive, the definition should cover persons working in state-owned and state-controlled e…
AddedRecital 9 a (new): (9a) With regard to the prevention of and contrast to corruption, the creation of specialised bodies, units or agencies with a mandate enshrined on a clear legal basis is paramount to ensure their permanence, but also to entrust them with a specific mandate, and to increase awareness among the general public as to what the body, unit or agency’s powers and responsibilities are. The effectiveness of bodies, units or agencies specialised in the prevention of corruption depends, in particular, on their possibility to manage asset declarations of public officials, monitor compliance with transparency rules applying to public officials and public entities, as well as with statutory provisions and rules related to conflicts of interests in the public and private sector, and to the financing of political parties. As for the investigation and prosecution of corruption offences, integrated services need to be created in all EU Member States, but also equipped with specialised personnel and adequate technical capabilities and financial resources, so that their full autonomy and professionalism is guaranteed. Victims of corruption face serious challenges when attempting to establish and understand their rights and potential remedies. Therefore, it is essential that an independent coordinator for the rights of victims of corruption also be established at national level to ensure that the rights of persons affected by the crimes covered by this Directive are upheld, and that such persons …
AddedRecital 9 b (new): (9b) State services must assess corruption and bribery risks associated with their type of activity, the nature of the services they provide, and the context in which these services are provided. For this purpose, State services will have to draft prevention or risk management plans, in which services or acts most susceptible to bribery, exploitation or diversion of funds, and personal favouritism or favouritism towards third parties are identified, as well as measures to reduce risks and ways to react to illicit practices. Those measures shall specifically focus on high-risk areas such as the financial, health, digital, construction and pharmaceutical sectors, as well as on public procurement.
AddedRecital 9 c (new): (9c) Associated with the drafting of prevention or risk management programs is the creation of codes of ethics or conduct, which succinctly, objectively, and clearly describe the expected behaviours of all workers. These instruments must be simple, easily understood by their intended recipients, and adapted to the specificities of the respective activity. To achieve these results, it is recommended to involve all stakeholders in the drafting process of prevention or risk management programs.
AddedRecital 9 d (new): (9d) A Public Administration made up of agents with high ethical standards is a key condition for reducing corruption risks. Regardless of the type of public service entry exams, subsequent training, in all sectors of the administration, should incorporate content with a strong focus on probity and corruption prevention.
AddedRecital 9 e (new): (9e) With a view to prevent corruption, Member States should take measures to implement education for public integrity in the school system and in the classroom. Member States should provide opportunities for educators to receive specialized training in anti-corruption education methodologies and strategies and to ensure the effective delivery of those programs. Member States should also take the necessary measures to prevent favouritism, nepotism or cronyism in public recruitment and in administrative procedures, and to ensure that all public human resource processes strive to develop a systematic approach based on: identification of possible risks; establishment of strong preventive mechanisms; ensuring policy compliance, reporting and sanctioning of misconduct.
AddedRecital 14: (14) Obstruction of justice is a criminal offence committed in support of corruption. It is therefore necessary to lay down a criminal offence for the obstruction of justice, which entails the exercise of physical force, threats or intimidation, or the inducement of false testimony or evidence. Actions to interfere in the giving of testimony or production of evidence, or with the exercise of official duties by judicial or law enforcement officials as well as the destruction, alteration, concealment or falsification of evidence should also be covered. In line with the UNCAC, this Directive only applies to the obstruction of justice concerning proceedings relating to a corruption offence.
AddedRecital 14 a (new): (14a) Illicit political financing leaves democracies vulnerable to malign finance and undue influence in politics. Abuses of state resources conferring undue benefits on politicians and parties can be a major corruptive force in the electoral process as they can introduce or exacerbate power inequalities, give unfair electoral advantage to incumbents, compromise the integrity of an election, and reduce public trust in the legitimacy of the process and its outcomes. Furthermore, the private sector may use its influence and resources to pressure public authorities to adopt or implement policies and laws in their favour. On the other hand, the integrity of the private sector may be compromised by illicit political finance if politicians pressure companies for donations in exchange for continued business with the state, which can lead to policy capture. It is therefore necessary to lay down a criminal offence for illicit political financing.
AddedRecital 15: (15) Corruption feeds off the motivation for undue economic and other advantages. Ìn order to reduce the incentive for individuals and criminal organisations to commit new criminal acts and deter individuals from consenting to becoming fake property owners enrichment by corruption offences should be criminalised. This should, in turn, complicate the concealment of illicitly acquired property and reduce the spread of corruption as well as the damage done to society. Transparency helps competent authorities to detect possible illicit enrichment. Public officials should therefore be required to declare their assets and interests at regular intervals, including when taking up and completing duties, so that competent authorities, or independent entities, can assess whether the declared assets correspond to declared incomes, as well as detect potential conflict of interest and revolving doors situations. With the aim of preventing and combating corruption and of promoting transparency and accountability in the public and private sector, the Union should take the necessary measures to monitor and prevent situations of illicit enrichment and unexplained wealth, by establishing a complete registry of beneficial ownerships to a full set of financial and non-financial assets. This Directive paves the way for further measures to prevent and combat corruption at Union level, including the establishment of an EU Asset Register, which would be built upon the Member States network of registr…
AI: Note on change 2 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds recitals on corruption's impact, specialised bodies, awareness campaigns, risk management, ethics codes, education, illicit political financing, and asset declarations.
Change 3
AddedRecital 16: (16) The criminal offence of enrichment builds upon the rules on the criminal offence of money laundering laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/1673 of the European Parliament and of the Council44 . It is meant to address those cases where the judiciary considers that the corruption offence or offences cannot be proven. Like the predicate offence in money laundering, the burden of proof is of a different nature. This means that in criminal proceedings regarding the criminal offence of enrichment, when considering whether property is derived from any kind of criminal involvement in a corruption offence and whether the person had knowledge of that, the specific circumstances of each case should be taken into account, such as the fact that the value of the property is disproportionate to the lawful income of the accused person and that the criminal activity and acquisition of property occurred within the same time frame. It should not be necessary to establish that the official or person in question was involved in the commission of the criminal offence, to establish knowledge of all the factual elements or all circumstances relating to the criminal involvement, including the identity of the perpetrator. When a person is convicted of a criminal offence as defined in this Directive, the competent authorities can recover the illicitly obtained property on the basis of Directive 2014/42/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 on the freezing and confiscation of …
AddedRecital 20: (20) Legal persons should not be liable only for acts of a leading person in their organisation, nor should they be able to avoid responsibility by using intermediaries, including related legal persons, to offer, promise or give a bribe to a public official on its behalf. Moreover, fines for legal persons should be proportionate and commensurate to the gravity of the offence, and calculated considering the gross gain, or the gross loss, caused by the offence, or the worldwide turnover of all legal entities related to the offender, including parent entities, subsidiary entities, linked trusts, or similar or comparable legal entities. Corruption related offences are often resolved through non-trial resolutions processes, which are often viewed as a pragmatic and efficient way to resolve cases that would otherwise require tremendous time and resources to investigate and prosecute before reaching a court. However, non-trial resolutions also present legal, institutional and procedural challenges, and raise questions of transparency, the level of deterrence and victims’ compensation. Member States should therefore also take the necessary measures to establish fair, effective, and transparent non-trial resolution processes that competent authorities can enter into with a legal person for any of the offences covered by this Directive.
AI: Note on change 3 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds recitals on the offence of enrichment and on liability of legal persons, including non-trial resolutions.
Change 4
RemovedRecital 28: (28) Corruption offences are a difficult category of crime to identify and investigate, as they mostly occur as part of a conspiracy between two or more willing parties and lack an immediate and obvious victim who could complain. Thus, a significant proportion of corruption crime remains undetected, and the criminal parties are able to benefit from the proceeds of their corruption. The longer it takes to detect a corruption offence, the more difficult it is to uncover evidence. Therefore, it should be ensured that law enforcement and prosecutors have appropriate investigative tools to gather relevant evidence of corruption offences which often affect more than one Member State. Such tools should as a minimum include those tools listed in Directive 2014/41/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council1a, such as covert investigations, investigative measures implying the gathering of evidence in real time, continuously and over a certain period of time, interception of telecommunications, information on banking and other financial operations and bank and other financial accounts. Furthermore, Member States should allocate sufficient training, in close coordination with the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL), also on the use investigative tools to successfully carry out proceedings and the identification and quantification of proceeds of corruption in the context of freezing and confiscation. In addition, this Directive facilitates the gathering of inf…
AddedRecital 25: (25) In order to increase trust in prosecution services whilst reducing the perception of corruption in Member States, discretionary powers under domestic law not to prosecute persons for criminal offences referred to in this Directive on opportunity grounds should be exercised in accordance with clear rules and criteria and guarantee, with appropriate internal consultation, and decisions subject to review by the public concerned, subject to proportionality requirements as provided under national law. These rules and criteria and guarantees can contribute to deter the commission of corruption offences and to ensure the effectiveness of the judicial process.
AddedRecital 28: (28) Corruption offences are a difficult category of crime to identify and investigate, as they mostly occur as part of a conspiracy between two or more willing parties and lack an immediate and obvious victim who could complain. Thus, a significant proportion of corruption crime remains undetected, and the criminal parties are able to benefit from the proceeds of their corruption. The longer it takes to detect a corruption offence, the more difficult it is to uncover evidence. Therefore, it should be ensured that law enforcement and prosecutors have appropriate investigative tools to gather relevant evidence of corruption offences which often affect more than one Member State. Such tools should as a minimum include the tools listed in Directive 2014/41/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council1a, such as covert investigations, investigative measures implying the gathering of evidence in real time, continuously and over a certain period of time, interception of telecommunications, information on banking and other financial operations and bank and other financial accounts. Furthermore, Member States should allocate sufficient training, in close coordination with the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL), also on the use investigative tools to successfully carry out proceedings and the identification and quantification of proceeds of corruption in the context of freezing and confiscation. In addition, this Directive facilitates the gathering of infor…
AddedRecital 28 a (new): (28a) Corruption is not a victimless crime and the rights of victims of corruption should be safeguarded on the same level as those of victims of other crimes, including regarding the right to information, support and protection. Victims of corruption should be represented in court proceedings, consulted about corruption investigation and adequately compensated. This will ensure that the consequences and the damage of corruption to societies are recognised and will guarantee the rights of people suffering from corruption.
AddedRecital 29 a (new): (29a) The public concerned, including affected communities, should be entitled to obtain reparation of damages caused by the offences. For such purposes Member States should ensure that, in accordance with their national legal system, members of the public concerned have appropriate rights to participate in the proceedings covered by this Directive, for instance as a civil party. The public concerned should be entitled to participate in the proceedings covered by this Directive where as a result of a corruption offence, they have a sufficient interest and are entitled to maintain the impairment of a right, in accordance with national law. For the purposes of participating in the proceedings covered by this Directive, the public concerned including entities that wish to represent the rights of victims of corruption should meet minimum standards. First, they should have a non-profit making nature. Second, there should be a direct relationship between the main objectives of the entity representing the public concerned and the action brought before the relevant court or competent administrative body. Third, the entity should have been established for at least five years prior to the date of its application to the relevant court or competent administrative body. Entities representing the public concerned should also make publicly available in plain and intelligible language by any appropriate means, in particular on their website, information that demonstrates their compliance wit…
AddedRecital 29 b (new): (29b) The preparation and adoption of coordinated strategies for the prevention of corruption and the promotion of public integrity emerged as a common standard to foster a coordinated and continuous approach to the challenges posed by corruption. This Directive requires all Member States to adopt, publish and periodically review national strategies on preventing and combating corruption to duly take into account the needs, specificities and challenges of the Member States. The strategies should be developed in cooperation with all level of governments concerned, including local governments and institutions translating national strategies into the specific context, and in consultation with civil society, independent experts, researchers and other stakeholders.
AI: Note on change 4 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds recitals on prosecutorial discretion, victims' rights, public participation, and national strategies.
Change 5
ChangedRecital 31: (31) Media pluralism and media freedom are key enablers for the rule of law, democratic accountability, equality and the fight against corruption. Independent and pluralistic media, in particular investigative journalism, play an important role in the scrutiny of public affairs, detecting possible corruption and integrity breaches, raising awareness and promoting integrity. Member States should be transparent as regards funding the media through institutional advertising, preventing any administration from favouring the media of their choice. In addition, Member States have an obligation to guarantee an enabling environment for journalists, protect their safety and pro-actively promote media freedom and media pluralism. The Commission’s Recommendation on the protection, safety and empowerment of journalists49 , as well as the proposals for a Regulation establishing a common framework for media services in the internal market (European Media Freedom Act)49a and for a Directive on protecting persons who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded or abusive court proceedings 50Directive50 and thea Commission Recommendation51 on protecting persons who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded or abusive court proceedings (‘Strategic lawsuits against public participation’) include important safeguards and standards to ensure that journalists, human rights defendersdefenders, whistleblowers, and others can carry out their role unhindered. / 49a Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common framework for media services in the internal market (European Media Freedom Act) and amending Directive 2010/13/EU, COM/2022/457 final.marke…
AI: Note on change 5 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Extends recital 31 to require transparency in media funding and adds whistleblowers to those protected.
Change 6
ChangedRecital 33: (33) To combat corruption effectively, efficient exchange of information between competent authorities responsible for the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of corruption offences is crucial. Member States should ensure that information is exchanged in an effective and timely manner in accordance with national and Union law. This Directive, which aims to lay down common definitions of corruption offences, should serve as a benchmark for information exchange and cooperation between the competent national authorities under Directives (EU) 2023/97752 ,XX/202352, (EU) 2019/115353 ,2019/115353, (EU) 2016/68154 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Regulations (EU) 2018/124055 ,2018/124055, (EU) 2018/186256 and (EU) 603/201357 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Decision 2008/633/JHA58 . To ensure the security of the information shared between Anti-Corruption Investigation bodies, units and agencies, the use of the Secure Information Exchange Network Application (SIENA), managed by Europol in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/794 of the European Parliament and of the Council58a, should be mandatory for all Anti-Corruption Investigation bodies, units and agencies under this Directive. / 5258a DirectiveRegulation (EU) 2023/9772016/794 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 1011 May 20232016 on the exchange ofEuropean informationUnion betweenAgency thefor lawLaw enforcementEnforcement authoritiesCooperation of(Europol) Memberand Statesreplacing and repealing Council Framework Decision 2006/960/JHA (OJ L 134, 22.5.2023,Decisions p.2009/371/JHA, 1).2009/934/JHA, /2009/935/JHA, 58a2009/936/JHA Regulationand (EU)2009/968/JHA 2016/794(OJ ofL the135, Europ……
AI: Note on change 6 · formal Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Updates references to Directives and Regulations, and makes SIENA use mandatory for anti-corruption bodies.
Change 7
RemovedRecital 33 a (new): (33a) Victims of corruption often lack representation in legal processes, consultation in corruption investigations, and opportunities for compensation. In practice, enforcing actions against international corruption often neglects the involvement and rights of victims, creating a significant gap where victims remain largely unknown. Member States should safeguard the rights of victims, ensuring their perspectives are voiced and considered without compromising the rights of the defence during criminal proceedings against offenders. The compensation of victims represents the essence of justice and victims should be empowered to seek remedies. Therefore, Member States should implement measures allowing individuals or entities harmed by acts of corruption to initiate legal actions against the responsible parties to seek appropriate compensation.
AddedRecital 33 a (new): (33a) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Directive, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
RemovedRecital 34: (34) Corruption is a cross-cutting issue, while vulnerabilities differ from sector to sector, as well as the most adequate way to tackle them. Member States should therefore regularly perform an assessment to identify the sectors most at risk of corruption and develop risk management plans to address the main risks in the sectors identified, including by organising, at least once a year, awareness-raising actions adapted to the specificities of the sectors identified. Member States that have broad national anti-corruption strategies in place, may also choose to address their risk assessments and risk management plans therein, as long as the risks are assessed and the measures are reviewed regularly. For instance, investor citizenship schemes are among the sectors thatbear high risks for corruption59 and should therefore be completely banned by the Member States. Residence schemes for Russian nationals subject to targeted financial sanctions, should also be banned59a. / 59a P9_TA(2022)0065 Citizenship and residence by investment schemes European Parliament resolution of 9 March 2022 with proposals to the Commission on citizenship and residence by investment schemes (2021/2026(INL)), para 23
AddedRecital 33 b (new): (33b) Victims of corruption often lack representation in legal processes, consultation in corruption investigations, and opportunities for compensation. In practice, enforcing actions against international corruption often neglects the involvement and rights of victims, creating a significant gap where victims remain largely unknown. Member States should safeguard the rights of victims, ensuring their perspectives are voiced and considered without compromising the rights of the defence during criminal proceedings against offenders. The compensation of victims represents the essence of justice and victims should be empowered to seek remedies. Therefore, Member States should implement measures allowing individuals or entities harmed by acts of corruption to initiate legal actions against the responsible parties to seek appropriate compensation.
AddedRecital 34: (34) Corruption is a cross-cutting issue, while vulnerabilities differ from sector to sector, as well as the most adequate way to tackle them. Member States should therefore regularly perform an assessment to identify the sectors most at risk of corruption and develop risk management plans to address the main risks in the sectors identified, including by organising, at least once a year, awareness-raising actions adapted to the specificities of the sectors identified. Member States that have broad national anti-corruption strategies in place, may also choose to address their risk assessments and risk management plans therein, as long as the risks are assessed and the measures are reviewed regularly. For instance, investor residence and citizenship schemes are among the sectors that bear high risks for corruption59 and should therefore be completely banned by the Member States.
AI: Note on change 7 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds recital on implementing powers, moves victims' rights recital, and drops ban on investor citizenship schemes.
Change 8
RemovedRecital 35: (35) To provide for an equivalent level of protection between the Union’s and the national financial interests, the provisions of Directive (EU) 2017/137160 should be aligned with the standards set out in this Directive. To this end, Member States should ensure that the offences covered by this Directive constitute offences also when affecting the Union's financial interests. Therefore, the standards set out by Directive (EU) 2017/1371 for fighting corruption affecting the Union’s financial interests, in particular in terms of definitions of criminal offences, sanctions, limitation periods, aggravating and mitigating circumstances and jurisdiction should be equivalent to those laid down by this Directive.
AddedRecital 34 c (new): (34c) To ensure coordinated EU oversight over the efforts of Member States to tackle corruption, Member States should facilitate the tasks of an EU Anti-Corruption Coordinator. The Coordinator should be responsible for improving coordination and coherence among EU institutions, EU agencies and Member States and should contribute to the effective application of this Directive. To ensure implementation of the country-specific recommendations in regards to combatting corruption set out in the Commission annual Rule of Law Report, the Coordinator should report on the actions that Member States take to address and fulfil them. On its own initiative, or upon the request of the Commission, the Anti-Corruption Coordinator may draw up opinions regarding national measures which may have a significant impact on the implementation of this Directive, including the national anti-corruption strategies of the Member States.
RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point a: (a) a member of an institution, body, office or agency of the Union and the staff of such bodies shall be assimilated to Union officials, inasmuch as the Staff Regulations of Officials and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union laid down in Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom, ECSC) No 259/68 (the ‘Staff Regulations’) do not apply to them.
AddedRecital 34 d (new): (34d) In order to ensure a comprehensive overview and assessment of the corruption related trends and systemic corruption issues across the EU, including the identification of areas that have been affected most by the misappropriation of EU funds, the Commission should develop a yearly Anti-corruption Report, which should provide concrete and actionable recommendations to Member States to act upon in order to address identified shortcomings.
RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5: 5. ‘national official’ means any person holding an executive, administrative, or judicial office at national, regional or local level, whether appointed or elected, whether permanent or temporary, whether paid or unpaid, irrespective of that person’s seniority. Any person holding a legislative office at national, regional or local level shall be assimilated to a national official for the purpose of this Directive.
AddedRecital 35: (35) To provide for an equivalent level of protection between the Union’s and the national financial interests, the provisions of Directive (EU) 2017/137160 should be aligned with the standards set out in this Directive. To this end, Member States should ensure that offences covered by this Directive constitute offences also when affecting the Union’s financial interests. Therefore, the standards set out by Directive (EU) 2017/1371 for fighting corruption affecting the Union’s financial interests, in particular in terms of definitions of criminal offences, sanctions, limitation periods, aggravating and mitigating circumstances and jurisdiction should be equivalent to those laid down by this Directive.
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RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8: 8. ‘high level officials’ are heads of state, heads of central and regional government, members of central and regional government, members of the College of Commissioners of the European Commission, as well as other political appointees who hold a high level public office such as deputy ministers, state secretaries, heads and members of a minister’s private office, and senior political officials, as well as members of parliamentary chambers, members of the European Parliament, members of highest Courts, such as Constitutional and Supreme Courts, military officials, senior executives of state owned corporations, political party officials and members of Supreme Audit Institutions.
AddedArticle 1 – paragraph 1: This Directive establishes minimum rules concerning the definition of criminal offences and sanctions in the area of corruption, as well as measures to prevent and fight corruption at the national and Union level.
RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8 a (new): 8a. ‘grand corruption’ means the commission of any of the offences referred to in Articles 7 to 14, where the offence: / (a) involved a high level official; or / (b) was committed as part of a criminal scheme; or / (c) resulted in a gross misappropriation of property; or / (d) resulted in, or intended to result in, either a serious human rights violation or abuse, or any other human rights violation or abuse, in so far as that violation or abuse is widespread, systematic or is otherwise of serious concern.
AddedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1: 1. ‘prevention of corruption’ refers to the proactive identification, detection and elimination of the causes of and conditions for corruption in the public and private sector, through development and implementation of a comprehensive system of appropriate measures and necessary tools to reduce the potential for corruption, as well as to deter corruption-related acts at the national and Union level.
RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8 b (new): 8b. ‘victim of corruption’ means persons who, individually or collectively, have suffered harm, either directly or indirectly, including physical or mental injury, emotional suffering, economic loss or substantial impairment of their fundamental rights, through acts or omissions that are a consequence of any of the offences referred to in Articles 7 to 14.
AddedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2: 2. ‘property’ means funds or assets of any kind, including crypto assets, whether corporeal or incorporeal, movable or immovable, financial or non-financial tangible or intangible, and legal documents or instruments in any form, including electronic or digital, evidencing title to, or an interest in, such assets.
RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 1: 1. Member States shall take appropriate action, including information and awareness-raising campaigns and research and education programmes, to raise public awareness on the harmfulness of corruption and reduce the overall commission of corruption offences as well as the risk of corruption.
AddedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b: (b) any other person assigned or exercising a public service function or providing a public service in Member States or third countries, for an international organisation or for an international court.
RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 2: 2. Member States shall take measures to ensure the highest degree of integrity, transparency and accountability, through merit-based recruitment and promotion in public administration and public decision-making with a view to prevent corruption.
AddedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point a: (a) a member of an institution, body, office or agency of the Union and the staff of such bodies shall be assimilated to Union officials inasmuch as the Staff Regulations of Officials and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union laid down in Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom, ECSC) No 259/68 (the ‘Staff Regulations’) do not apply to them;
AddedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5: 5. ‘national official’ means any person holding an executive, administrative, or judicial office or any other person assigned or exercising a public service function at national, regional or local level, whether appointed or elected, whether permanent or temporary, whether paid or unpaid, irrespective of that person’s seniority, or any person entrusted with tasks of public interest or in charge of a public service. Any person holding a legislative office at national, regional or local level shall be assimilated to a national official for the purpose of this Directive.
AddedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 a (new): 6a. 'conflict of interests' means a situation where the impartial and objective exercise of the functions of a public official is compromised for reasons involving family, emotional life, political or national affinity, economic interest or any other direct or indirect personal interest;
AddedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point 7: 7. ‘legal person’ means any entity recognised as having legal personality under the applicable national law, except for States or public bodies in the exercise of State authority and for public international organisations.
AddedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8: 8. ‘high level officials’ are heads of state, heads of central and regional government, members of central and regional government, members of the College of Commissioners of the European Commission, as well as other political appointees who hold a high level public office at Union level, such as the President of the European Council, or at national level, such as deputy ministers, state secretaries, heads and members of a minister’s private office, and senior political officials, as well as members of parliamentary chambers, members of the European Parliament, members of highest Courts, such as Constitutional and Supreme Courts, military officials, senior executives of state owned corporations, managing officials of political parties whose members or candidates are members of a parliament, and members of Supreme Audit Institutions;
AddedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8 a (new): 8a. ‘victim’ means a victim as defined in Article 2(1), point (a), of Directive 2012/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, as well as a legal person, as defined in national law, that has suffered harm as a result of any of the offences within the scope of this Directive;
AddedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8 b (new): 8b. 'public concerned’ means the persons affected or likely to be affected by the criminal offences within the scope of this Directive; for the purposes of this definition, non-governmental organisations meeting any proportionate requirements under national law shall be deemed to have an interest.
AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 1: 1. Member States, as well as the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the Union, shall take appropriate action, including information and awareness-raising campaigns and research and education for public integrity programmes, to raise public awareness among the public and private sector on the harmfulness and real impact of corruption, including on public budgets and to reduce the overall commission of corruption offences as well as the risk of corruption.
AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 2: 2. Member States, as well the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the Union shall, within the limits of their respective administrations and public decision-making processes, take measures to ensure the highest degree of integrity, transparency and accountability, through merit-based recruitment and promotion, while ensuring that citizens are adequately informed, with a view to prevent corruption.
AI: Note on change 8 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds recitals on EU Anti-Corruption Coordinator and annual report, and expands definitions of public official, conflict of interests, and high-level officials.
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Change 9
ChangedArticle 3 – paragraph 3 – point a (new): (a) an anticorruption strategy and action plan elaborateddrafted with the participation of competent authoritiesauthorities, including the relevant specialised bodies referred to in Article 4, and with the involvement of civil society;
AI: Note on change 9 · wording only Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Rephrases requirement for anti-corruption strategy to include specialised bodies and civil society.
Change 10
ChangedArticle 3 – paragraph 3 – point c (new): (c) effective rules for the disclosure and management of conflicts of interestinterests in the public sector, including ad-hoc disclosure of new conflicts as they arise, and establishing sanctions for failure to report substantial assets or interests;
AI: Note on change 10 · formal Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Corrects plural 'interests' in conflict of interests rules.
Change 11
ChangedArticle 3 – paragraph 3 – point e (new): (e) effective rules addressing the interaction between the private and the public sector, including regulation of lobbyinginterest representation and revolving doors situations,situations comprising of: / - establishing a code of conduct for public officials, including rules for their interactions with persons or private entities carrying out interest representation; / - establishing minimum required information to be publically disclosed in regards to the interaction between public officials and persons or private entities carrying out interest representation, including the proactive publication of lobby meetings,meetings; / - establishing of a public legislative footprint,footprint; and/ - establishing the obligation for associations,all thinkpersons tanksor andprivate non-profitentities, organisationsincluding associations, who engage in interest representation to disclose corporate membership and to register in a transparency registersregister, which shall provide public and discloseeasily corporateaccessible membership;information through a single gateway; and / - regulating the movement of public officials from positions of public office to positions in the same field in the private sector as well as enforcing restrictions on post-term employment.
AI: Note on change 11 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Expands rules on lobbying and revolving doors to include codes of conduct, disclosure of meetings, and registration of interest representatives.
Change 12
RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 3 – point f (new): (f) interoperable systems for the publication and disclosure of all data listed under this Article, such as transparency registers. All data listed under this Article shall be made publicly available, updated in a timely manner, accessible in machine-readable formats and downloadable in bulk.
AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 3 – point f (new): (f) elimination of administrative barriers and regulatory complexity that hinder timely decision-making on citizens' requests and condition their access to information and the decision-making process;
RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 3 a (new): 3a. Member States shall take measures to ensure transparency in the funding of candidatures for elected public officials and political parties, through annual reporting mechanisms, such as effective rules for the reporting, audit and disclosure of political party finance, equal obligations to collect and publish all data on income, liabilities and expenditure for participants in election campaigns.
AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 3 – point g (new): (g) effective measures to ban citizenship by investment and residency by investment schemes.
RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 4 – introductory part: 4. Member States shall adopt comprehensive and up-to-date measures to prevent corruption in both the public and private sectors, adapted to the specific risks of an area of activity. Such areas shall at least include common high-risk areas such as the health sector, public procurement and the construction sector. Such measures shall at least include actions to strengthen integrity and to prevent opportunities for corruption among:
AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 3 a (new): 3a. Member States shall ensure that information to be disclosed according to measures listed in points (b), (c), (d) and (e) of paragraph 3 is accessible via electronic systems, and available in machine readable format across the Union. Access to such information shall be provided in accordance with applicable national law and in full compliance with fundamental rights, as enshrined in Union law.
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RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 4 – point b: (b) members of law enforcement and the judiciary, including measures relating to their merit-based appointment, promotion and conduct, and by ensuring adequate remuneration and equitable pay scales.
AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 3 b (new): 3b. Institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the Union shall take measures to ensure that key preventive tools, including at least the preventive tools listed under paragraphs 3 and 3a of this Article, are in place in their respective administrations.
RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1: Member States shall annually perform an assessment to identify the sectors most at risk of corruption.
AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 3 c (new): 3c. Member States shall take measures to ensure transparency in the funding of candidatures for elected public officials and political parties, through annual reporting mechanisms, such as effective rules for the reporting, audit and disclosure of political party finance, equal obligations to collect and publish all data on income, liabilities and expenditure for participants in election campaigns.
RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2 – point b: (b) develop sectoral anti-corruption plans, with implementation and monitoring mechanisms to address the main risks in the sectors identified; and
AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 4 – introductory part: 4. Member States shall adopt comprehensive and periodically reviewed measures to prevent corruption in both the public and private sectors, tailored to the specific risks of an area of activity. Such measures shall at least target common high-risk areas and shall at least include actions to identify and fight against organised crime or other serious crime, to strengthen integrity, transparency and accountability and to prevent opportunities for corruption among:
RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2 – point b a (new): (ba) ensure the results of the assessments are available to the public.
AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 4 – point a: (a) high level officials, including measures relating to the conduct to be followed during and after the performance of their public function;
RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 5 a (new): 5a. Member States shall take appropriate measures to promote transparency and accountability in the management of public finances. Member States shall, in particular, take the necessary steps to establish appropriate systems of procurement, based on transparency, competition and objective criteria in decision-making. / Member States shall publish information in open data formats including, but not limited to, government budgets, government spending, public procurement, voting records, permits and concessions, and state subsidies.
AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 4 – point b: (b) members of law enforcement, intelligence agencies and the judiciary, including measures relating to their merit-based appointment, promotion and dismissal, and measures related to conduct, and by ensuring adequate remuneration and equitable pay scales.
RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 6: 6. Member States shall actively engage and consult civil society, non-governmental organisations and community-based organisations in anti-corruption activities and assessments. Member States shall establish an enabling environment for civil society to work and have meaningful engagement in anti-corruption activities. .
AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 4 a (new): 4a. The institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the Union shall put in place comprehensive and up-to-date measures to prevent corruption of Union officials, adapted to the specific risks of the areas of activity covered by their respective administrations. Such measures shall at least include actions to strengthen integrity, transparency and accountability, and to prevent opportunities for corruption among high level Union officials, including measures relating to their appointment and the conduct to be followed during and after the performance of their public function.
AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 4 b (new): 4b. Member States shall take measures to create a strong public service culture, based on integrity, transparency and accountability, ensuring that national officials are adequately remunerated, have the appropriate information, training and support to deal with both the increased professional standards and the tasks in implementing their mandate, and that they are aware of conflict of interest situations and of the risks of corruption and financial and economic crimes.
AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1: Member States, as well the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the Union, shall annually perform an assessment to identify the sectors most at risk of corruption. In performing such assessment, Member States shall take into account, in particular, the Commission’s annual Rule of Law Report and the EU Anti-corruption Report referred to in Article 26a of this Directive.
AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2 – introductory part: Following that assessment, Member States as well the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the Union shall, within the limits of their respective competences and mandate:
AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2 – point b: (b) develop anti-corruption action plans, with implementation and monitoring mechanisms to address the main risks in the sectors identified; these plans shall identify trends in the corruption offences covered by this Directive as well as measures to reduce risks and ways to react to illicit practices;
AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2 – point b a (new): (ba) monitor that sectors identified as at risk of corruption adequately implement the actions indicated in the plans referred to in point (b) of this paragraph, and effectively apply the key preventive tools referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article;
AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2 – point b b (new): (bb) ensure that the results of the assessments are available to the public.
AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 5 a (new): 5a. Member States shall take appropriate measures to promote transparency and accountability in the management of public finances. Member States shall, in particular, take the necessary steps to establish appropriate systems of procurement, based on transparency, competition and objective criteria in decision-making. Member States shall publish information in open data formats including, but not limited to, government budgets, government spending, public procurement, voting records, permits and concessions, and state subsidies.
AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 6: 6. Member States as well the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the Union shall actively and regularly engage with and consult civil society, non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations and academia in the development, monitoring, and assessment of anti-corruption laws and policies. Member States shall establish an enabling environment for civil society to work and have meaningful engagement in anti-corruption activities. Member States shall further promote available reporting mechanisms and publicising rights relating to the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law.
AI: Note on change 12 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds measures on transparency, bans citizenship by investment, extends prevention to EU institutions, and requires annual risk assessments.
Change 13
RemovedArticle 4 – paragraph 3 – point a: (a) are independent from the government and able to autonomously take decisions on individual cases and have a sufficient number of qualified staff and the financial, technical and technological resources, as well as the powers and tools necessary to ensure the proper administration of their tasks;
AddedArticle 4 – paragraph 1: The tasks of such bodies or organisation units shall include: / (a) the management of asset declarations of public officials; / (b) monitoring compliance with transparency rules applicable to public officials and public entities and to the financing of political parties, and the enforcement of sanctions related to breaches of such provisions and rules; / (c) monitoring compliance with the statutory provisions and rules related to conflicts of interests in the public and private sectors, and the enforcement of sanctions related to breaches of such provisions and rules; / (d) the issuing of warnings related to risks of corruption; / (e) cooperation with competent authorities, bodies or organizational units specialized in the repression of corruption.
RemovedArticle 4 – paragraph 3 – point c a (new): (ca) provide annual reports on their activities and their results;
AddedArticle 4 – paragraph 2: 2. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that one or several bodies, or organisational units specialised in the repression and investigation of corruption is or are in place. The tasks of such bodies shall include the detection, investigation and prosecution of the offences referred to in this Directive, including through evidence gathering and inter-agency cooperation, and the enforcement of sanctions.
AddedArticle 4 – paragraph 2 a (new): 2a. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that an organisational unit specialised in the identification, notification, representation and coordination of victims of corruption is in place.
AddedArticle 4 – paragraph 3 – introductory part: 3. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the body or bodies, or an organisation unit or units as referred to in paragraph 1, 2 and 2a:
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AddedArticle 4 – paragraph 3 – point a: (a) are independent from the government and able to autonomously take decisions on individual cases, carry out their functions free from undue political interferences, and are continually provided with a sufficient number of qualified staff, including on the operational level, and the financial, technical and technological resources, as well as the powers and tools necessary to ensure the effective performance and the proper administration of their tasks;
AddedArticle 4 – paragraph 3 – point a a (new): (aa) are managed by executive member or members who, in the performance of their tasks and exercise of their powers in accordance with this Directive, shall remain free from external influence whether direct or indirect, and shall neither seek nor take instructions from anybody, and who shall be provided with an adequate and sufficient term of office, ensuring political independence; the executive member or members shall be appointed through a transparent, open and non-discriminatory procedure in accordance with the principle of legislative oversight; the selection criteria shall be predictable and known no less than 1 year before the planned appointment;
AddedArticle 4 – paragraph 3 – point c a (new): (ca) provide annual reports on their activities and their results, submit those reports to the relevant executive and legislative bodies and publish them on their websites;
AI: Note on change 13 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds tasks for specialised bodies, including managing asset declarations and monitoring conflicts of interest, and requires independence and annual reports.
Change 14
RemovedArticle 5 – paragraph 1: Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that national authorities competent for the detection, investigation, prosecution or adjudication of the criminal offences and for the preventive measures referred to in this Directive are continually provided with an adequate number of qualified staff and the financial, technical and technological resources necessary for the effective performance of their functions related to the implementation of this Directive.
AddedArticle 4 – paragraph 3 – point c c (new): (cc) receive and process complaints related to breaches of rules on the prevention of corruption, including those adopted under the key preventing tools referred to in Article 3(3);
RemovedArticle 6 – paragraph 1: 1. Each Member State shall take the necessary measures to ensure adequate resources for and the provision of training for its national officials to be able to prevent and identify different forms of corruption and corruption risks that may occur in the exercise of their duties and to react in a timely and appropriate manner to any suspicious activity.
AddedArticle 4 – paragraph 3 – point c d (new): (cd) are consulted in the process of development and formulation of a national anti-corruption strategy referred to in point (a) of Article 3(3);
RemovedArticle 6 – paragraph 2: 2. Each Member State shall take the necessary measures to ensure adequate resources for and the provision of specialised anti-corruption training at regular intervals for its members of law enforcement, the judiciary and the staff of authorities tasked with criminal and administrative investigations and proceedings of offences falling within the scope of this Directive.
AddedArticle 4 – paragraph 3 – point d: (d) operate and take decisions in accordance with transparent procedures established by law and subject to internal oversight and accountability mechanisms;
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RemovedArticle 7 – paragraph 1 – point a: (a) the promise, offer, giving or rewarding, directly or through an intermediary, of an undue advantage of any kind to a public official for that official or for a third party in order for the public official to act or refrain from acting or in the exercise of that official’s functions (active bribery);
AddedArticle 4 – paragraph 3 – point d a (new): (da) operate in line with the objective of increasing their efficiency.
RemovedArticle 7 – paragraph 1 – point b: (b) the request or receipt by a public official, directly or through an intermediary, of an undue advantage of any kind or the acceptance of an offer or promise of such an advantage for that official or for a third party, in order for the public official to act or to refrain from acting or in the exercise of that official’s functions (passive bribery).
AddedArticle 4 – paragraph 3 a (new): 3a. The bodies and units referred to in paragraph 1 shall cooperate with the corresponding units in other Member States.
RemovedArticle 8 – paragraph 1 – point a: (a) the promise, offer, giving or rewarding directly or through an intermediary, of an undue advantage of any kind to a person who in any capacity directs or works for a private-sector entity, for that person or for a third party, in order for that person to act or to refrain from acting, in breach of that person’s duties (active bribery);
AddedArticle 5 – paragraph 1: Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that national authorities competent for the detection, investigation, prosecution or adjudication of the criminal offences and for the preventive measures referred to in this Directive are consistently proactively and continually provided with an adequate number of qualified staff and the financial, technical and technological resources necessary for the effective performance of their functions related to the implementation of this Directive.
RemovedArticle 8 – paragraph 1 – point b: (b) the request or receipt by a person, directly or through an intermediary, of an undue advantage of any kind or the acceptance of an offer or the promise of such an advantage, for that person or for a third party, while in any capacity directing or working for a private-sector entity, to act or to refrain from acting, in breach of that person’s duties (passive bribery).
AddedArticle 6 – paragraph 1: 1. Each Member State shall take the necessary measures to ensure adequate resources for and the provision of training at a regular interval for its national officials to be able to prevent and identify different forms of corruption and corruption risks that may occur in the exercise of their duties and to react in a timely and appropriate manner to any suspicious activity.
RemovedArticle 12 – paragraph 1 – point 1: 1. the use, directly or through an intermediary, of physical force, threats or intimidation or the promise, offering or giving of an advantage to induce false testimony or to interfere in the giving of testimony or the production of evidence in a proceeding concerning corruption offences;
AddedArticle 6 – paragraph 1 a (new): 1a. The institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the Union shall take necessary measures to ensure adequate resources for and the provision of training for Union officials to be able to identify different forms of corruption and corruption risks that may occur in the exercise of their duties and to react in a timely and appropriate manner to any suspicious activity.
RemovedArticle 12 – paragraph 1 – point 2: 2. the use, directly or through an intermediary, of physical force, threats or intimidation to interfere in the exercise of official duties by a person holding a judicial office or a member of law enforcement concerning corruption offences;
AddedArticle 6 – paragraph 2: 2. Each Member State shall take the necessary measures to ensure adequate resources and the delivery of dedicated anti-corruption training. This training shall be conducted at regular intervals for its members of law enforcement, the judiciary and the staff of authorities tasked with criminal and administrative investigations and proceedings of offences falling within the scope of this Directive.
RemovedArticle 12 – paragraph 1 – point 2 a (new): 2a. the destruction, alteration, concealment or falsification of evidence with the intent to interfere in a proceeding concerning corruption offences.
AddedArticle 7 – paragraph 1 – point a: (a) the promise, offer or giving, directly or through an intermediary, of an advantage of any kind to a public official for that official or for a third party in order for the public official to act or refrain from acting in the exercise of that official’s functions (active bribery);
AI: Note on change 14 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds requirements for training of national and Union officials, and extends bribery definitions to include 'undue' advantage.
Change 15
ChangedArticle 137 – paragraph 1:1 Member– Statespoint shallb: take(b) the necessary measuresrequest toor ensurereceipt thatby thea intentionalpublic acquisition,official, possessiondirectly or usethrough byan aintermediary, publicof officialan advantage of propertyany thatkind isor significantlythe disproportionaterequest toor andacceptance cannotof bean justifiedoffer byor the lawful incomepromise of thesuch publican officialadvantage shallfor bethat punishableofficial asor for a criminalthird offence,party, wherein theorder nationalfor courtthe ispublic satisfiedofficial thatto suchact propertyor isto derivedrefrain from any kind of criminal involvementacting in the commissionexercise of an offence as setthat outofficial’s infunctions this(passive Directive.bribery).
AI: Note on change 15 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Rewrites Article 13 on illicit enrichment to require derivation from an offence, and moves it to Article 7.
Change 16
RemovedArticle 13 – paragraph 1 a (new): In determining whether the property in question is derived from any kind of criminal involvement in the commission of an offence as set out in this Directive, account shall be taken of all the circumstances of the case. It is not necessary to establish all the factual elements or all circumstances relating to that criminal involvement, including the identity of the perpetrator and it is irrelevant whether the person committed, or was involved in, the criminal involvement from which the property was derived.
AddedArticle 8 – paragraph 1 – point b: (b) the request or receipt by a person, directly or through an intermediary, of an undue advantage of any kind or the request or acceptance of an offer or the promise of such an advantage, for that person or for a third party, while in any capacity directing or working for a private-sector entity, to act or to refrain from acting, in breach of that person’s duties (passive bribery).
RemovedArticle 13 a (new): Article 13a / Concealment / Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that, when committed intentionally, the concealment or continued retention of property by a person having knowledge that such property is the result of any of the offences established in accordance with this Directive, even if that person was not involved in the commission of such offences, shall be punishable as a criminal offence.
AddedArticle 10 – paragraph 1 – point a: (a) the promise, offer or giving, directly or through an intermediary, of an undue advantage of any kind to a person or a third party in order for that person to exert real or supposed influence with a view to obtaining an undue advantage from a public official, including when acting or refraining from acting in accordance with that public official’s duties;
RemovedArticle 13 b (new): Article13b / Misconduct in public office / Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the culpable breach by a public official of an official duty, by failing to perform that duty or by performing it defectively, if it causes damage or injury to the rights or to the legitimate interests of a natural person or a legal person, shall be punishable as a criminal offence.
AddedArticle 10 – paragraph 1 – point b: (b) the request or receipt, directly or through an intermediary, of an undue advantage of any kind or the request or acceptance of promise of such an advantage to a person or a third party in order for that person to exert real or supposed influence with a view to obtaining an undue advantage from a public official, including when acting or refraining from acting in accordance with that public official’s duties.
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AddedArticle 11 – paragraph 1 – point 1: 1. the performance of or failure to perform an act, in violation of laws, by a public official in the exercise of that public official’s functions for the purpose of obtaining an undue advantage of any nature for that official or for a third party;
AddedArticle 11 – paragraph 1 – point 2: 2. the performance of or failure to perform an act, in violation of laws or in breach of duties, by a person who in any capacity directs or works for a private-sector entity in the course of economic, financial, business or commercial activities for the purpose of obtaining an undue advantage of any nature for that person or for a third party.
AddedArticle 12 – paragraph 1 – point 1: 1. the use, directly or through an intermediary, of inducements, physical force, threats or intimidation or the promise, offering or giving of an advantage to induce false testimony, to interfere in the giving of testimony or the production of evidence or to influence, pressure or coerce witnesses, experts or any involved parties to abstain from participating, communicating or cooperating with judicial authorities in a proceeding concerning offences referred to in this Directive;
AddedArticle 12 – paragraph 1 – point 2: 2. the use, directly or through an intermediary, of physical force, threats or intimidation to interfere in the exercise of official duties by a person holding a judicial office or a member of law enforcement concerning offences referred to in this Directive;
AddedArticle 12 – paragraph 1 – point 2 a (new): 2a. the destruction, alteration, concealment or falsification of evidence, including digital evidence, with the intent to interfere in a proceeding concerning offences referred to in this Directive.
AddedArticle 12 a (new): Article 12a / Illicit political financing / Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the following conduct is punishable as a criminal offence, when committed intentionally: / 1. the promise, offer or giving, directly or through an intermediary, of substantial financial contributions in favour of persons holding presidential, secretarial, political or administrative management positions within political parties or elected into parliaments or governments on regional, national, European and international level or organisations actively campaigning in favour of one specific political party, in violation of applicable laws on political financing, or of applicable transparency rules; / 2. the request or receipt, directly or through an intermediary, of substantial financial contributions, by persons holding presidential, secretarial, political or administrative management positions within political parties or elected into parliaments or governments on regional, national, European and international level or organisations actively campaigning in favour of one specific political party, in violation of laws on political financing, or of applicable transparency rules.
AddedArticle 13 – paragraph 1: Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the intentional acquisition, possession or use by a public official of property that is significantly disproportionate to and cannot be justified by the lawful income of the public official shall be punishable as a criminal offence, where such property is derived from the commission of an offence as set out in this Directive.
AddedArticle 13 – paragraph 1 a (new): In determining whether the property in question is derived from any kind of criminal involvement in the commission of an offence as set out in this Directive, account shall be taken of all the circumstances of the case, including the specific facts and available evidence.
AddedArticle 13 a (new): Article 13a / Concealment / Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that, when committed intentionally, the concealment of property by a person having knowledge that such property is the result of any of the offences established in accordance with this Directive, even if that person was not involved in the commission of such offences, is punishable as a criminal offence.
AddedArticle 13 b (new): Article 13b / Misconduct in public office / Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the culpable breach by a public official of an official duty, by failing to perform that duty or by performing it defectively, if it causes substantial damage or injury to the rights or to the legitimate interests of a natural person or a legal person, is punishable as a criminal offence.
AI: Note on change 16 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds new offences of concealment and misconduct in public office, and expands obstruction of justice to include digital evidence and witness coercion.
Change 17
ChangedArticle 15 – paragraph 2 – point a: (a) the criminal offences referred to in Article 77, 12 and 1212a are punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least seven years, and the criminal offences referred to in Article 7 which have been committed to obtain a lawful act are punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least five years;
AI: Note on change 17 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Raises minimum imprisonment for bribery to seven years, and adds five years for bribery to obtain a lawful act.
Change 18
ChangedArticle 15 – paragraph 2 – point c: (c) the criminal offenceoffences referred to in Article 13 and 13a isare punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least five years; and
AI: Note on change 18 · formal Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Updates cross-reference to Articles 13 and 13a for consistency.
Change 19
ChangedArticle 15 – paragraph 3 a (new): 3a. Without prejudice to paragraphs 1 and 2,2 of this Article, Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that natural persons who have been convicted of committing one of the criminal offences referred to in Articles 7 to 14 shall beare subject to sanctions or measures imposed by a competent authority and that are not necessarily of a criminal nature, including: / (a) the removal, suspension and reassignment from a public office; / (b) the disqualification from: / (i) holding a public office; / (ii) exercising a public service function; / (c) deprivation of the right to stand for elections, proportionate to the seriousness of the offence committed, which shall be of at least two consecutive mandates or ten years for high level officials; / (d) exclusions from access to public funding, including tender procedures, grants and concessions.
AI: Note on change 19 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds sanctions for convicted persons, including removal from office and disqualification from public office, but drops ban on standing for election.
Change 20
RemovedParagraph 3 a (new) is an adaptation of Article 15(4) of the Commission proposal.
AddedArticle 15 – paragraph 4 – point a: (a) fines proportionate to the gravity and duration of the offence, and of the damage caused, as well as to the financial benefits accrued by committing the offence;
AI: Note on change 20 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds fines for legal persons proportionate to gravity and duration of offence.
Change 21
RemovedArticle 15 – paragraph 4 – point d: deleted
AddedArticle 15 – paragraph 4 – point c – point iii a (new): (iiia) holding a leading position within a legal person of the type used for committing the offence;
AddedArticle 15 – paragraph 4 – point d: (d) deprivation of the right to stand for elections, proportionate to the seriousness of the offence committed, which shall be of at least two consecutive mandates or ten years for high level officials; and
AI: Note on change 21 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds disqualification from holding leading positions in legal persons, and restores deprivation of right to stand for elections.
Change 22
ChangedArticle 15 – paragraph 4 a (new): 4a. Member States shall take the necessary measures to enable courts or other competent authorities to take into account the gravity of the offences concerned when considering the eventuality of suspended sentences, early release, parolerelease or the pardoning of persons convicted of such offences.parole.
AI: Note on change 22 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Requires courts to consider gravity of offence when granting suspended sentences or early release.
Change 23
RemovedArticle 17 – paragraph 2 – point a: (a) criminal or non-criminal fines, the maximum limit of which shall not be less than 5 percent of the total worldwide turnover of the legal person, including related entities, in the business year preceding the decision imposing the fine;
AddedArticle 15 – paragraph 4 b (new): 4b. Member States shall take the necessary measures to prohibit any pardoning or amnesty of persons who have been held liable for any of the criminal offenses referred to in Articles 7 to 14.
AddedArticle 16 – paragraph 1 – introductory part: 1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that legal persons can be held liable for any of the criminal offences referred to in Articles 7 to 14, when such offences are committed for the benefit of those legal persons by any natural person performing services, in any capacity, for or on behalf of the legal person.
AddedArticle 16 – paragraph 1 – point a: deleted
AddedArticle 16 – paragraph 1 – point b: deleted
AddedArticle 16 – paragraph 1 – point c: deleted
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AddedArticle 16 – paragraph 2: 2. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that legal persons can be held liable where the lack of effective supervision or control by a person referred to in paragraph 1 has made possible the commission, including by any of the persons under his authority, of any of the criminal offences referred to in Articles 7 to 14 for the benefit of that legal person.
AddedArticle 17 – paragraph 1: 1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that a legal person held liable for criminal offences pursuant to Article 16 is punishable by effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions. The level of sanctions shall be adapted to reflect the degree of severity and duration of the offence, and of the damage caused.
AddedArticle 17 – paragraph 2 – point a: (a) criminal or non-criminal fines, which are proportionate and commensurate to the gravity of the offence. The maximum limit of such fines shall not be less than 10 percent of the total worldwide turnover of the legal person, including related entities, in the business year preceding the decision imposing the fine;
AddedArticle 17 – paragraph 2 – point i a (new): (ia) the national or Union-wide publication of all or part of the judicial decision that relates to the criminal offence committed and the sanctions or measures imposed, including by referring them to relevant Union institutions.
AddedArticle 17 – paragraph 2 a (new): 2a. Member States shall take the necessary measures to establish effective and transparent non-trial resolutions processes that competent authorities can enter into with a legal person for any of the offences referred to in Articles 7 to 14.
AI: Note on change 23 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Raises minimum fine for legal persons to 10% of worldwide turnover, adds publication of judicial decisions, and requires non-trial resolution processes.
Change 24
ChangedArticle 18 – paragraph 1 – point b: (b) the offender,offender includingor its parent entities or subsidiary entities if the offender is a legal person, hashave been convicted before of an offence referred to Articles 7 to 14 in a Member State or of equivalent offences in a third country;
AI: Note on change 24 · wording only Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Clarifies that parent or subsidiary entities are considered part of the offender for prior convictions.
Change 25
ChangedArticle 18 – paragraph 1 – point e: (e) the offender exercises investigation, prosecution, dispute resolutionresolution, or adjudication functions;
AI: Note on change 25 · formal Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds comma for clarity in list of functions.
Change 26
RemovedArticle 19 – paragraph 1: 1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that privileges or immunities from investigation and prosecution granted to national officials for the offences referred to in this Directive shall:
AddedArticle 18 – paragraph 1 – point g a (new): (ga) the offender took advantage of the vulnerable situation of a person involved in the commission of the offence;
AddedArticle 18 – paragraph 1 – point g b (new): (gb) the offender resorted to ingenious deception or instrumentalisation of public officials in the course of committing the offence;
AddedArticle 18 – paragraph 1 – point g c (new): (gc) the offender did not provide assistance to enforcement authorities when legally required to do so;
AddedArticle 18 – paragraph 1 – point g d (new): (gd) in the case of legal persons, the offence was committed by a person having a leading positions within that legal person.
AddedArticle 18 – paragraph 2 – point b: (b) where the offender is a legal person and it has implemented effective internal controls, prevention tools, ethics awareness, and compliance programmes to prevent corruption prior to the commission of the offence; and
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AddedArticle 19 – paragraph 1: Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that privileges or immunities from investigation and prosecution granted to national officials for the offences referred to in this Directive shall:
AI: Note on change 26 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds aggravating circumstances including vulnerable victims, deception, and failure to assist authorities, and extends mitigating circumstances to legal persons.
Change 27
ChangedArticle 19 – paragraph 1 – point b (new): (b) only apply to acts carried out during a person's term in office or period of service as a public official; andofficial.
AI: Note on change 27 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Limits immunity to acts during term of office, removing extension to property.
Change 28
ChangedArticle 19 – paragraph 1 –a point(new): cMember (new):States (c)shall take the necessary measures to ensure that privileges or immunities from investigation and prosecution granted to national officials for the offences referred to in this Directive: / (a) shall be lifted at the national official’s own initiative; / (b) can be lifted through an objective, impartial, effective and transparent process pre-established by law, based on clear criteria, and that is concluded within a reasonable timeframe.
AI: Note on change 28 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Requires that immunities be lifted at official's own initiative or through a transparent process.
Change 29
RemovedArticle 19 – paragraph 1 a (new): 1a. Member States shall implement measures to eliminate functional immunity from investigation and prosecution for national and Union officials in cases of grand corruption.
AddedArticle 19 – paragraph 1 b (new): Union institutions, offices, agencies and bodies shall ensure that when taking any decision on waving of immunities, related to the offences in this Directive, they shall do so through an objective, impartial, effective and transparent process, based on clear criteria, that is concluded within a reasonable timeframe.
AI: Note on change 29 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds requirement for Union institutions to have transparent processes for waiving immunities.
Change 30
ChangedArticle 19 – paragraph 1 bc (new): 1b. Member States shall establish procedures throughtake whichthe anecessary publicmeasures officialto accusedensure ofthat, anconcerning offencethe asoffences referred to in this DirectiveDirective, may,no whereprivileges, appropriate,immunities beor removed,other suspendedlegal orconcepts reassignedshield bynational theofficials appropriatefrom authority,investigation bearingand inprosecution mindrelated respectto forproperty theowned principlethrough oflegal thepersons presumptionor ofarrangements innocence.that are personal asset-holding vehicles.
AI: Note on change 30 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds measures to ensure no immunity shields officials from investigation or prosecution for property held through legal persons.
Change 31
RemovedArticle 19 – paragraph 1 c (new): 1c. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that any discretionary legal powers under its domestic law relating to the prosecution of persons for offences referred to in this Directive are exercised with the appropriate internal consultation and with due regard to the need to deter the commission of such offences.
AddedArticle 21 – paragraph 2 – point c: (c) eight years from the time when the offence was committed, for the criminal offences referred to in Articles 12a and 13 to 14.
RemovedArticle 19 – paragraph 1 d (new): 1d. Without prejudice to the rights afforded to victims of crime under Directive 2012/29/EU in the event of a decision not to prosecute, Member States shall ensure that any organisation that aims to counter corruption has the right to a review of a prosecutorial decision related to: / (a) the opening or not opening of the investigation or prosecution; / (b) the suspension of the investigation or prosecution; / (c) the discontinuation of the investigation or prosecution.
AddedArticle 21 – paragraph 3 – introductory part: 3. By way of derogation from paragraph 2, Member States may establish a shorter limitation period, provided that the period may be interrupted or suspended in the event of specified procedural acts or judicial decisions and that the applicable rules on the suspension and limitation periods do not hamper the effectiveness of the judicial process and the dissuasive application of penalties. This period shall not be shorter than:
RemovedArticle 19 – paragraph 1 e (new): 1e. The determination of the scope and conditions under which judicial review as referred to in paragraph 3 shall be governed by national law and shall include safeguards against vexatious complaints.
AddedArticle 21 – paragraph 3 – point c: (c) five years for the criminal offences referred to in Articles 12a to 14.
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RemovedArticle 19 – paragraph 1 f (new): 1f. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that there is no personal immunity from investigation and prosecution granted to national officials over property owned through legal persons or arrangements that are personal asset-holding vehicles.
AddedArticle 21 – paragraph 4 – point c: (c) eight years from the date of the final conviction for any of the criminal offences referred to in Articles 12a to 14.
AI: Note on change 31 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds limitation periods for new offences of illicit political financing and extends periods for others.
Change 32
ChangedArticle 2021 – paragraph 15 – point c: (c) the offence isfive committedyears forfrom the benefitdate of athe legalfinal personconviction establishedfor inany of the territorycriminal ofoffences thatreferred Memberto State;in Articles 12a to 14.
AI: Note on change 32 · formal Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Corrects cross-reference to Article 21 and updates limitation period for certain offences.
Change 33
RemovedArticle 20 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new): (ca) the offence is committed in any Member State, in the case of grand corruption.
RemovedArticle 21 – paragraph 2 – point c: (c) eight years from the time when the offence was committed, for the criminal offences referred to in Articles 13 to 14.
RemovedArticle 21 – paragraph 3 – point c: (c) five years for the criminal offences referred to in Articles 13 to 14.
RemovedArticle 21 – paragraph 4 – point c: (c) eight years from the date of the final conviction for any of the criminal offences referred to in Articles 13 to 14.
RemovedArticle 21 – paragraph 5 – point c: (c) five years from the date of the final conviction for any of the criminal offences referred to in Articles 13 to 14.
AI: Note on change 33 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds jurisdiction for grand corruption committed in any member state, and updates limitation periods for new offences.
Change 34
RemovedArticle 23 – paragraph 1: Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that effective investigative tools, such as those used in countering organised crime or other serious crimes, including those listed in Directive 2014/41/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 regarding the European Investigation Order in criminal matters, or those used in the area of financial crime, such as the single access point to bank account registries in accordance with the Directive (EU) 2019/1153 or other tools which help to obtain company information to detect the beneficial ownership are available to persons, units or services responsible for investigating or prosecuting the criminal offences referred to in this Directive.
AddedArticle 22 – paragraph 2 a (new): 2a. Member States shall put in place adequate reporting mechanisms, which enable persons to anonymously disclose information related to offences covered by this Directive.
RemovedArticle 23 a (new): Article 23a / Exchange of information / Member States shall ensure that all specialised bodies, as referred to in Article 4, have direct access to SIENA and use the SIENA system for exchanging information in cross-border investigations.
AddedArticle 23 – paragraph 1: Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that effective investigative tools, such as those used in countering organised crime or other serious crimes, including those listed in Directive 2014/41/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 regarding the European Investigation Order in criminal matters, are available to persons, units or services responsible for investigating or prosecuting the criminal offences referred to in this Directive.
RemovedArticle 23 b (new): Article 23b / Rights of victims and compensation for damage / 1. Member States shall protect and enable victims to have their views and concerns presented and considered at appropriate stages during criminal proceedings against offenders, in a manner that is not prejudicial to the rights of the defence. / 2. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the rights afforded to victims under Directive (EU) 2012/29 are also applicable to the victims of corruption, and to ensure that any victim of corruption: / (a) is identified and notified of their status as a victim of corruption at the earliest possible opportunity; / (b) without prejudice to Art. 11(5) of Directive (EU) 2012/29, has the right to a review of a decision not to prosecute or a decision to enter into a non-trial resolution; / (c) has the right to satisfaction including, but not limited to, an acknowledgement of the breach, an expression of regret, a formal apology or another appropriate modality; / (d) has the right to a guarantee of non-repetition; and / (e) is entitled to injunctive relief where applicable. / 3. Member States shall ensure that any qualified public interest non-governmental organisation as determined by national law may, as representatives of the interests of victims of corruption and in accordance with national law, take action before the courts or competent administrative bodies to ensure that their rights under paragraph 2 are protected. / 4. Member States shall take such mea…
AddedArticle 23 – paragraph 1 a (new): Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that their competent authorities freeze or confiscate, as appropriate, in accordance with Directive [OJ: Please insert in the text the number of the Directive in PE-CONS 3/4 (2022/0167 (COD)) and insert the number, date, title and OJ reference of that Directive in the footnote - Directive on asset recovery and confiscation COM(2022) 245 final] , the proceeds derived from the commission or contribution to the commission of any of the offences referred to in this Directive.
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RemovedArticle 24 – paragraph 1: Without prejudice to the rules on cross-border cooperation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, Member States’ authorities, Europol, Eurojust, the European Public Prosecutor's Office, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the Commission shall, within their respective competences, cooperate with each other in the fight against the criminal offences referred to in this Directive. To that end, where appropriate, Europol, Eurojust, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), and the Commission shall provide technical and operational assistance in accordance with their respective mandates to facilitate the coordination of investigations and prosecutions by the competent authorities and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office .
AddedArticle 23 – paragraph 1 b (new): Considering the evolving nature of corruption and the increasing use of digital platforms, Member States shall ensure the availability of digital investigative tools and capabilities.
RemovedArticle 25 – paragraph 3 – point a: (a) facilitate cooperation and exchange of best practices among Member States’ practitioners, civil society, independent experts, researchers and other stakeholders;
AddedArticle 23 a (new): Article 23a / Exchange of information / Member States shall ensure that all specialised bodies or units referred to in Article 4, have direct access to SIENA and use the SIENA system for exchanging information in cross-border investigations.
AddedArticle 23 b (new): Article23b / Rights of victims and compensation for damage / 1. Member States shall protect and enable victims to have their views and concerns presented and considered at appropriate stages during criminal proceedings against offenders, in a manner that is not prejudicial to the rights of the defence. / 2. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the rights afforded to victims under Directive (EU) 2012/29 are also applicable to the victims of corruption, and to ensure that any victim of corruption: / (a) is identified and notified of their status as a victim of corruption at the earliest possible opportunity; / (b) without prejudice to Article 11(5) of Directive (EU) 2012/29, has the right to a review of a decision not to prosecute or a decision to enter into a non-trial resolution; / (c) has the right to satisfaction including, but not limited to, an acknowledgement of the breach, an expression of regret, a formal apology or another appropriate modality; / (d) has the right to a guarantee of non-repetition; and / (e) is entitled to injunctive relief where applicable. / 3. Member States shall take such measures as necessary to ensure that entities or persons who have suffered damage as a result of an act of corruption have the right to initiate legal proceedings against those responsible for that damage in order to obtain proportionate and adequate compensation.
AddedArticle 23 c (new): Article 23c / National strategies / To ensure a coherent approach to preventing and combating corruption, Member States shall adopt, publish and periodically review a national strategy on preventing and combating corruption, establishing objectives, priorities and corresponding measures and resources needed. Such national strategy shall be developed in consultation with civil society, the relevant specialised bodies or units referred to in Article 4, independent experts, researchers and other stakeholders, and shall take into account the needs, specificities and challenges of the Member States.
AddedArticle 23 d (new): Article 23d / Rights for the public concerned to participate in proceedings / 1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the public concerned has appropriate rights to participate in the proceedings covered by this Directive, for instance as a civil party, where as a result of a corruption offence such public has a sufficient interest, and is entitled to maintain the impairment of a right, in accordance with national law. / 2. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that members of the public concerned may participate in the proceedings covered by this Directive, including by taking action before the courts or competent administrative bodies. / 3. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that members of the public concerned as referred to in paragraph 2 have the right to a review of a prosecutorial decision related to: / (a) the opening or not opening of the investigation or prosecution; / (b) the suspension of the investigation or prosecution; / (c) the discontinuation of the investigation or prosecution. / 4. The determination of the scope and conditions under which judicial review as referred to in paragraph 3 shall be governed by national law and shall include safeguards against vexatious complaints.
AddedArticle 23 e (new): Article 23e / Suspension or reassignment of a public official / Member States shall establish procedures through which a public official accused of an offence as referred to in this Directive may, where appropriate, be suspended or reassigned by the appropriate authority, bearing in mind respect for the principle of the presumption of innocence.
AddedArticle 23 f (new): Article 23f / Exercise of discretionary powers / Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that any discretionary legal powers under its domestic law relating to the prosecution of persons for offences referred to in this Directive are exercised with the appropriate internal consultation and with due regard to the need to deter the commission of such offences.
AddedArticle 24 – paragraph 1: 1. Without prejudice to the rules on cross-border cooperation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, Member States’ authorities, including the specialised bodies or units referred to in Article 4, Europol, Eurojust, the European Public Prosecutor's Office, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the Commission shall, within their respective competences, cooperate with each other in the fight against the criminal offences referred to in this Directive. / 2. In the pursuit of that objective, Europol, Eurojust, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), and the Commission shall provide technical and operational assistance in accordance with their respective mandates to facilitate the coordination of investigations and prosecutions by the competent authorities, including the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.
AddedArticle 24 – paragraph 3 (new): 3. The results of the cooperation established under the present provision shall be reported by Europol, Eurojust, the EPPO and OLAF and the Commission, without prejudice to their obligation of discretion and confidentiality as regards individual cases and personal data, in a specific section of their annual reports to the European Parliament and to the Council.
AddedArticle 24 a (new): Article 24a / Platform on prevention and repression of corruption / 1. A platform on prevention and repression of corruption (the 'platform') shall be established under the aegis of the Commission. The platform shall be composed of representatives from specialised bodies or units referred to in Article 4 and the EU Anti-Corruption Coordinator referred to in Article 25a and shall be chaired by a representative from the Commission. The platform shall be convened at regular intervals. / 2. The platform shall: / (a) advise the Commission in relation to the implementation of the measures provided for in this Directive, promote identification and exchange of best practices in prevention and repression of corruption; / (b) promote the exchange of information and operational cooperation among the specialised bodies referred to in Article 4 in relation to the implementation of this Directive; / (c) enable the exchange of best practices to enhance cooperation with third countries. / 3. Representatives from Europol, Eurojust, the European Public Prosecutor's Office and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and, where appropriate, from the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) may be invited to participate in the meetings of the platform, also in order to facilitate the cooperation referred to in Article 24.
AddedArticle 25 – paragraph 3 – introductory part: 3. The Commission, through the EU network against corruption and the European Union Anti-Corruption coordinator, shall in particular:
AddedArticle 25 – paragraph 3 – point a: (a) facilitate cooperation and exchange of best practices among Member States’ practitioners, civil society representatives, independent experts, researchers and other stakeholders;
AddedArticle 25 – paragraph 4 a (new): 4a. The Commission shall inform Member States about financial resources at Union level to promote and facilitate Member States international cooperation on anti-corruption, including coordination of investigations and prosecutions, and to support their competent authorities in cooperating with third countries through technical assistance programmes and projects.
AddedArticle 25 a (new): Article 25a / Coordination of the Union strategy on combating corruption / 1. In order to contribute to a coordinated and consolidated Union strategy on combating corruption, Member States shall facilitate the tasks of a European Union Anti-Corruption Coordinator (‘the Coordinator’). In particular, Member States shall transmit to the Coordinator, when requested, information referred to in Article 26 of this Directive. / 2. The Coordinator shall assist the Commission in promoting the effective and consistent application of this Directive and in monitoring the implementation of Articles 3 and 4 of this Directive. / 3. The Coordinator shall, where relevant, advise the Commission on the implementation of the country-specific recommendations related to combatting corruption, set out in the Commission annual Rule of Law Reports, or on national measures which might have a significant impact on their implementation.
AddedArticle 26 – title: Data collection, statistics and reporting
AddedArticle 26 – paragraph 1: 1. Member States shall collect disaggregated statistical data on each of the criminal offences as referred to in Articles 7 to 14 of this Directive.
AddedArticle 26 – paragraph 2 – point a a (new): (aa) the number of cases involving high level officials reported and investigated;
AddedArticle 26 – paragraph 2 – point b: (b) the number of cases investigated, including those involving cross-border cooperation;
AddedArticle 26 – paragraph 2 – point d: (d) the average and maximum length of the criminal investigations of cases;
AddedArticle 26 – paragraph 2 – point e: (e) the average and maximum length of courts proceedings of cases in first instance, second instance and cassation;
AddedArticle 26 – paragraph 2 – point f: (f) the number of convictions, including offenses committed by a public official;
AI: Note on change 34 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds reporting mechanisms, digital investigative tools, and rights for victims and public concerned, and establishes a platform for cooperation.
Change 35
AddedArticle 26 – paragraph 2 – point j a (new): (ja) the number and form of non-trial resolutions;
AI: Note on change 35 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds requirement to collect data on non-trial resolutions.
Change 36
ChangedArticle 26 – paragraph 3: 3. Member States shall, on an annual basis and by 1 June,June: / (a) publish, in a disaggregated and machine-readable format that is open, machine-readable, accessible, findable and re-usable, together with their metadata andwithin asthe definedmeaning inof Directive (EU) 2019/1024 of the European Parliament and of the CouncilCouncil1a, ofthe 20statistical Junedata 2019referred onto openin dataparagraph and2 for the re-useprevious ofyear, publictogether sectorwith informationtheir andmetadata; in/ (b) produce a disaggregatedquantitative format,and qualitative assessment carried out based on the statistical data referred to in paragraph 2 for the previous yearyear; / (c) transmit the data and informassessment referred to in points (a) and (b) to the Commission thereof.and the European Anti-Corruption Coordinator. / 1a Directive (EU) 2019/1024 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on open data and the re-use of public sector information (recast) (OJ L 172, 26.6.2019, p. 56; ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2019/1024/oj).
AI: Note on change 36 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Requires publication of data in machine-readable format and transmission to Commission and Coordinator.
Change 37
RemovedDirective (EU) 2017/1371
AddedArticle 26 – paragraph 3 a (new): 3a. The Commission shall adopt an implementing act within one year from the entry into force of this Directive, in which it sets out tools and processes to facilitate the reporting referred to in paragraph 3, including standard formats for the different types of reported data, to ensure their relevance and objectivity. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 30a(2) of this Directive.
RemovedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 2, Article 4 – paragraph 2: (2) Article 4(2) is replaced by the following: / ‘(1) Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the following conduct is punishable as a criminal offence, when committed intentionally: (a) the promise, offer, giving or rewarding, directly or through an intermediary, of an undue advantage of any kind to a public official for that official or for a third party in order for the public official to act or refrain from acting or in the exercise of that official’s functions in a way which damages or is likely to damage the Union’s financial interests (active bribery); / (b) the request or receipt by a public official, directly or through an intermediary, of an undue advantage of any kind or the acceptance of an offer or the promise of such an advantage for that official or for a third party, in order for the public official to act or to refrain from acting or in the exercise of that official’s functions in a way which damages or is likely to damage the Union’s financial interests (passive bribery). / Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that it is presumed that any act of passive bribery or committed by a ‘Union official’, has the aim of deviating resources from the lawful exercise of their public office and, as such, implies a damage to Union’s financial interests. / (2) Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the following conduct shall be punishable as a criminal offence, when committed intentionally and in the cour…
AddedArticle 26 – paragraph 3 b (new): 3b. The Commission shall, on an annual basis and by 31 December, carry out a comparative analysis of the statistical data and of the quantitative and qualitative assessments reported by the Member States pursuant to paragraph 3. The comparative analysis shall be carried out in cooperation with members of the EU anti-corruption network. It shall identify any deficiencies in data collection, and offer support to Member States in order to address them.
RemovedDirective (EU) 2017/1371
AddedArticle 26 a (new): Article 26a / EU Anti-Corruption Report / 1. The results of the comparative analysis referred to in Article 26 shall be made public by the Commission, on an annual basis and by 1 April, in the form of a yearly EU Anti-Corruption Report. The Anti-Corruption Report shall include: / (a) a comprehensive country-specific assessment of anti-corruption efforts and related results achieved in each Member State in key public and private sectors for the previous year; / (b) a comprehensive overview of the public and private sectors most affected by misappropriation of EU funds in each Member State; / (c) the identification of corruption-related trends across Member States, and a detailed description of systemic corruption issues at the Union level for the previous year; / (d) sector-specific recommendations for each Member States, taking into account the severity and impact of the corruption-related challenges, and modulated according to the scale of potential impact for a wider range of Union policies. / 2. Within three months from the publication of the Anti-Corruption Report, Member States shall provide written replies to the Commission, indicating measures and follow-up actions to be taken to address the identified country-specific and sector-specific shortcomings. The Commission shall promptly review and publish the replies provided by the Member States.
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RemovedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 2 a (new), Article 4 – paragraph 3: (2a) Article 4(3) is replaced by the following: / ‘3. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the following conduct is punishable as a criminal offence, when committed intentionally: / (a) the committing, disbursing, appropriation or use by a public official of property whose management is directly or indirectly entrusted to him contrary to the purpose for which it was intended in any way which damages the Union’s financial interests or is likely to damage the Union’s financial interests; / (b) the committing, disbursing, appropriation or use, in the course of economic, financial, business or commercial activities, by a person who directs or works, in any capacity, in a private sector entity, of any property whose management is directly or indirectly entrusted to him contrary to the purpose for which it was intended in any way which damages the Union’s financial interests or is likely to damage the Union’s financial interests.’
RemovedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 2 b (new) – introductory part: (2b) In Article 4 the following paragraphs are inserted:
AI: Note on change 37 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds implementing act for reporting tools and annual comparative analysis by Commission.
Change 38
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 2 b (new),2, Article 4 – paragraph 32: a(2) (new):Article ‘3a.4(2) is replaced by the following: / ‘2. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the following conduct is punishable as a criminal offence, when committed intentionally: / (a) the promise, offer or giving, directly or through an intermediary, of an undue advantage of any kind to a personpublic official for that official or for a third party in order for thatthe personpublic toofficial exertto realact or supposed influence with a viewrefrain tofrom obtainingacting anin unduethe advantageexercise fromof athat publicofficial’s officialfunctions in a way which damages or is likely to damage the Union’s financial interests;interests (active bribery); / (b) the request or receipt,receipt by a public official, directly or through an intermediary, of an undue advantage of any kind or the acceptance of an offer or the promise of such an advantage tofor athat personofficial or for a third partyparty, in order for thatthe personpublic toofficial exertto realact or supposed influence with ato viewrefrain tofrom obtainingacting anin unduethe advantageexercise fromof athat publicofficial’s officialfunctions in a way which damages or is likely to damage the Union’s financial interests.interests (passive bribery). / InMember orderStates forshall take the conductnecessary referredmeasures to inensure pointsthat (a)it andis (b)presumed tothat beany punishableact asof passive bribery or committed by a criminal‘Union offence,official’, ithas shallthe beaim irrelevantof whetherdeviating orresources notfrom the influencelawful isexercise exertedof ortheir whetherpublic oroffice notand, theas supposedsuch, influenceimplies leadsa damage to the intendedUnion’s results.financial interests.’
AI: Note on change 38 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Amends Directive 2017/1371 to align bribery definitions with this Directive, including presumption for passive bribery.
Change 39
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 2 ba (new), Article 4 – paragraph 32 ba (new): 3b.(2a) In Article 4, the following paragraph 2a is inserted: / ‘2a. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the following conduct isshall be punishable as a criminal offence, when committed intentionally:intentionally /and 1.in the performancecourse of economic, financial, business or failurecommercial toactivities: perform/ (a) the promise, offer or giving directly or through an act,intermediary, inof violationan undue advantage of laws,any bykind to a publicperson officialwho in theany exercisecapacity ofdirects hisor functionsworks for thea purposeprivate-sector ofentity, obtainingfor anthat undueperson advantageor for a third party, in order for that officialperson to act or forto arefrain thirdfrom partyacting, in breach of that person’s duties in a way which damages or is likely to damage the Union’s financial interests;interests (active bribery); / 2.(b) the performance ofrequest or failurereceipt toby performa anperson, act,directly inor breachthrough ofan duties,intermediary, byof aan personundue whoadvantage inof any capacity directskind or worksthe forrequest aor private-sectoracceptance entityof inan offer or the coursepromise of economic,such financial,an businessadvantage, orfor commercialthat activitiesperson or for thea purposethird ofparty, obtainingwhile anin undueany advantagecapacity directing or working for thata personprivate-sector entity, to act or forto arefrain thirdfrom partyacting, in breach of that person’s duties in a way which damages or is likely to damage the Union’s financial interests.interests (passive bribery).’
AI: Note on change 39 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds new paragraph 2a to Article 4 of Directive 2017/1371 on bribery in the private sector.
Change 40
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 2 b (new), Article 4 – paragraph 33: c(2b) (new):Article 3c.4(3) is replaced by the following: / ‘3. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the following conduct is punishable as a criminal offence, when committed intentionally: / 1.(a) the use, directlycommitting, ordisbursing, throughappropriation anor intermediary,use ofby physicala force,public threatsofficial orof intimidationproperty orwhose themanagement promise,is offeringdirectly or giving of anindirectly advantageentrusted to inducethat falsepublic testimonyofficial orcontrary to interfere in the giving of testimonypurpose orfor thewhich productionit ofwas evidenceintended in a proceeding concerningany theway commissionwhich ofdamages offencesthe asUnion’s referredfinancial tointerests inor thisis Directive;likely /to 2.damage the use, directlyUnion’s orfinancial throughinterests; an/ intermediary,(b) ofthe physicalcommitting, force,disbursing, threatsappropriation or intimidation to interfereuse, in the exercisecourse of officialeconomic, dutiesfinancial, bybusiness aor personcommercial holdingactivities, by a judicialperson officewho ordirects aor memberworks, ofin lawany enforcementcapacity, in relationa toprivate thesector commissionentity, of offencesany asproperty referredwhose tomanagement inis thisdirectly Directive.or /indirectly 3.entrusted theto destruction,that alteration,public concealmentofficial orcontrary falsificationto ofthe evidencepurpose withfor thewhich intentit towas interfereintended in aany proceedingway concerningwhich damages the commissionUnion’s offinancial offencesinterests asor referredis likely to indamage thisthe Directive.Union’s financial interests.’
AI: Note on change 40 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Replaces Article 4(3) of Directive 2017/1371 to include misappropriation of property.
Change 41
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 2 bc (new), Article 4 – paragraph 3 da (new): 3d.(2c) In Article 4, the following paragraph is inserted: / ‘3a. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the intentional acquisition,following possessionconduct oris usepunishable byas a publiccriminal officialoffence, ofwhen propertycommitted thatintentionally: is/ significantly(a) disproportionatethe topromise, andoffer cannotor begiving, justifieddirectly byor thethrough lawfulan incomeintermediary, of thean publicundue officialadvantage shallof beany punishablekind asto a criminalperson offence,or wherea thethird nationalparty courtin isorder satisfiedfor that suchperson propertyto isexert derivedreal fromor anysupposed kindinfluence ofwith criminala involvementview into theobtaining commissionan ofundue anadvantage offencefrom asa setpublic outofficial in thisa Directive.way /which Indamages determiningor whetheris likely to damage the propertyUnion’s infinancial questioninterests; is/ derived(b) fromthe request or receipt, directly or through an intermediary, of an undue advantage of any kind or the request or acceptance of criminalan involvementoffer inor the commissionpromise of such an offenceadvantage asto seta outperson inor thisa Directive,third accountparty shallin beorder takenfor ofthat allperson theto circumstancesexert ofreal theor case.supposed Itinfluence iswith nota necessaryview to establishobtaining allan theundue factualadvantage elementsfrom ora allpublic circumstancesofficial relatingin toa thatway criminalwhich involvement,damages includingor is likely to damage the identityUnion’s offinancial interests. / In order for the perpetratorconduct referred to in points (a) and (b) to be punishable as a criminal offence, it isshall be irrelevant whether or not the personinfluence committed,is exerted or waswhether involvedor in,not the criminalsupposed involvementinfluence fromleads whichto the property wasintended derived.results.
AI: Note on change 41 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds new paragraph 3a to Article 4 of Directive 2017/1371 on trading in influence.
Change 42
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 2 bc (new), Article 4 – paragraph 3 eb (new): 3e.‘3b. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that,that the following conduct is punishable as a criminal offence, when committed intentionally,intentionally: / (a) the concealmentperformance of or continuedfailure retentionto perform an act, in violation of propertylaws, by a personpublic havingofficial knowledgein the exercise of that suchpublic propertyofficial’s functions for the purpose of obtaining an undue advantage of any nature for that official or for a third party in a way which damages or is likely to damage the resultUnion’s financial interests; / (b) the performance of or failure to perform an act, in violation of laws or in breach of duties, by a person who in any capacity directs or works for a private-sector entity in the course of economic, financial, business or commercial activities for the offencespurpose establishedof inobtaining accordancean withundue thisadvantage Directive,of evenany withoutnature havingfor participatedthat person or for a third party in theira commission,way which damages or is punishablelikely asto adamage criminalthe offence.Union’s financial interests.’;
AI: Note on change 42 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds new paragraph 3b to Article 4 of Directive 2017/1371 on abuse of functions.
Change 43
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 2 bc (new), Article 4 – paragraph 3 fc (new): 3f.‘3c. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that,that the following conduct is punishable as a criminal offence, when committed inintentionally: a/ way(a) whichthe damagesuse, directly or isthrough likelyan intermediary, of inducements, physical force, threats or intimidation or the promise, offering or giving of an advantage to damageinduce false testimony, to interfere in the Union’sgiving financialof interests,testimony or the culpableproduction breachof byevidence or to influence, pressure or coerce witnesses, experts or any involved parties to abstain from participating, communicating or cooperating with judicial authorities in a publicproceeding officialconcerning the commission of anoffences officialreferred duty,to byin failingthis toDirective; perform/ it(b) the use, directly or performingthrough itan defectively,intermediary, ifof itphysical causesforce, damagethreats or injuryintimidation to interfere in the rightsexercise of official duties by a person holding a judicial office or legitimatea interestsmember of alaw naturalenforcement personin relation to the commission of offences referred to in this Directive; / (c) the destruction, alteration, concealment or falsification of evidence, including digital evidence, with the intent to interfere in a legalproceeding person,concerning shallthe becommission punishableof offences as areferred criminalto offence.in this Directive.’;
AI: Note on change 43 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds new paragraph 3c to Article 4 of Directive 2017/1371 on obstruction of justice.
Change 44
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 2 c (new), Article 54 – paragraph 2: (2c) Article 5(2) is replaced by the3 following:d /(new): ‘2.‘3d. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that attemptingthe anintentional offenceacquisition, referredpossession toor inuse Articlesby 3a andpublic 4(3),official (3b)of property that is significantly disproportionate to (3d)and cannot be justified by the lawful income of thisthat Directivepublic isofficial shall be punishable as a criminal offence.’offence where such property is derived from the commission of an offence as set out in this Directive. / In determining whether the property in question is derived from any kind of criminal involvement in the commission of an offence as set out in this Directive, account shall be taken of all the circumstances of the case, including the specific facts and available evidence.’;
AI: Note on change 44 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds new paragraph 3d to Article 4 of Directive 2017/1371 on illicit enrichment.
Change 45
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 3,2 c (new), Article 74 – paragraph 3 –e subparagraph(new): 1:‘3e. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that, when committed intentionally, the concealment of property by a person having knowledge that such property is the criminalresult offencesof referredany toof the offences established in Articlesaccordance 3,with 4(1),this (2(1))Directive, andeven (3c)if arethat punishableperson bywas anot maximuminvolved penaltyin the commission of atsuch leastoffences, sevenis yearspunishable ofas imprisonment.a criminal offence.’;
AI: Note on change 45 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds new paragraph 3e to Article 4 of Directive 2017/1371 on concealment.
Change 46
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 3,2 c (new), Article 74 – paragraph 3 –f subparagraph(new): 2:‘3f. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure thatthat, thewhen criminalcommitted offencein referreda toway inwhich Articledamages 4(2(2))or is likely to 4(3b)damage isthe punishableUnion’s financial interests, the culpable breach by a maximumpublic penaltyofficial of atan leastofficial sixduty, yearsby failing to perform it or performing it defectively, if it causes substantial damage or injury to the rights or legitimate interests of imprisonment.a natural person or a legal person, is punishable as a criminal offence.’;
AI: Note on change 46 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds new paragraph 3f to Article 4 of Directive 2017/1371 on misconduct in public office.
Change 47
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 3,2 d (new), Article 75 – paragraph 32: –(2d) subparagraphArticle 25(2) ais (new):replaced by the following: / ‘2. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that theattempting criminalan offence referred to in Article 4(3d)3 and (3e) isin punishableArticle by4(3), a(3b), maximum(3c) penaltyand of(3d) atis leastpunishable fiveas yearsa ofcriminal imprisonment.offence.’
AI: Note on change 47 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds attempt offence for certain corruption offences in Directive 2017/1371.
Change 48
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 3, Article 7 – paragraph 3: ‘3. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the criminal offences referred to in Article 3 –and subparagraphin 2Article b4(1), (new):(2) and (3c) are punishable by a maximum penalty of at least seven years of imprisonment; offences referred to in Article 4(2) which have been committed to obtain a lawful act are punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least five years. / Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the criminal offences referred to in Article 4(2a), (3), (3a) and (3b) are punishable by a maximum penalty of at least six years of imprisonment. / Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the criminal offence referred to in Article 4(3d) and (3e) is punishable by a maximum penalty of at least five years of imprisonment. / Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the criminal offence referred to in Article 4(3f) is punishable by a maximum penalty of at least three years of imprisonment.imprisonment.’
AI: Note on change 48 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Sets minimum penalties for corruption offences in Directive 2017/1371, ranging from three to seven years.
Change 49
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 3,4, Article 7 – paragraph 34: –(4) subparagraphIn 3:Article deleted7, paragraph 4 is deleted. / (deleted)
AI: Note on change 49 · formal Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Deletes a subparagraph in Article 7 of Directive 2017/1371.
Change 50
RemovedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 3, Article 7 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 4: deleted
AddedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 7 a (new), Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point b: (7a) In Article 11(1), the following wording is added at the end of point (b): ‘or a habitual resident in its territory’.
AI: Note on change 50 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Extends jurisdiction in Directive 2017/1371 to habitual residents.
Change 51
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 4,7 b (new), Article 711 – paragraph 4:1 (4)– point c (new): (7b) In Article 7,11(1), paragraphthe (4)following point (c) is deleted.added: / (deleted)‘(c) the offence is committed for the benefit of a legal person established in its territory’.
AI: Note on change 51 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds jurisdiction for offences committed for benefit of legal person established in territory.
Change 52
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 7 ac (new), Article 11 – paragraph 1: (7a)3: In(7c) Article 11(1)11(3) ‘oris areplaced habitualby residentthe infollowing: its‘ territory’/ is3. addedA Member State shall inform the Commission where it decides to pointextend (b).its /jurisdiction Into Articlecriminal 11(1)offences thereferred followingto pointin (c)Articles is3, added:4 ‘theor offence5 iswhich have been committed foroutside its territory when the benefitoffender is one of aits legalofficials personwho establishedacts in itsofficial territory.’duty.’ / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted)
AI: Note on change 52 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Replaces provision on extending jurisdiction to officials acting in official duty.
Change 53
RemovedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 7 b (new), Article 11 – paragraph 3: (7b) Article 11(3) is replaced by the following: / ‘3. A Member State shall inform the Commission where it decides to extend its jurisdiction to criminal offences referred to in Article 3, 4 or 5 which have been committed outside its territory when the offender is one of its officials who acts in his or her official duty.’ / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted)
AddedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 8, Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point a: (a) fifteen years from the time when the offence was committed, for the criminal offences referred to in Article 3 and in Article 4(1), (2) and (3c);
AI: Note on change 53 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Sets limitation period of fifteen years for certain corruption offences in Directive 2017/1371.
Change 54
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 8, Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point a:b: (a)(b) fifteenten years from the time when the offence was committed,committed for the criminal offences referred to in ArticlesArticle 3,4(2a), 4(1)(3), (2(1))(3a) and (3c) ;(3b);
AI: Note on change 54 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Sets limitation period of ten years for other corruption offences in Directive 2017/1371.
Change 55
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 8, Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point b:b (b)a ten(new): (ba) eight years from the time when the offence was committedcommitted, for the criminal offenceoffences referred to in Article 44(3d), (2(2))(3e) toand (3b);(3f), and in Article 5.
AI: Note on change 55 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds eight-year limitation period for concealment and misconduct offences.
Change 56
RemovedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 8, Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new): (ba) eight years from the time when the offence was committed, for the criminal offences referred to in Article 4(3d) to (3f) and 5.
AddedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 8, Article 12 – paragraph 3 – introdcutory part: 3. By way of derogation from paragraph 2, Member States may establish a shorter limitation period, provided that the period may be interrupted or suspended in the event of specified procedural acts or judicial decisions and that the applicable rules on the suspension and limitation periods do not hamper the effectiveness of the judicial process and the dissuasive application of penalties. This period shall not be shorter than:
AI: Note on change 56 · formal Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Corrects typo in introductory part of paragraph 3.
Change 57
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 8, Article 12 – paragraph 3 – point a: (a) ten years for the criminal offences referred to in ArticlesArticle 3,3 4(1)and (2(1))in Article 4(1), (2) and (3c);
AI: Note on change 57 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Sets shorter limitation period of ten years for certain offences in Directive 2017/1371.
Change 58
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 8, Article 12 – paragraph 3 – point b: (b) eight years for the criminal offence referred to in Article 44(2b), (2(2))(3), to(3a) and (3b);
AI: Note on change 58 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Sets shorter limitation period of eight years for other offences in Directive 2017/1371.
Change 59
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 8, Article 12 – paragraph 3 – point b a (new): (ba) five years for the criminal offences referred to in ArticlesArticle 4(3d)4(3d), to(3e) and (3f) and in Article 5.
AI: Note on change 59 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds five-year shorter limitation period for concealment and misconduct offences.
Change 60
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 8, Article 12 – paragraph 4 – point a: (a) fifteen years from the date of the final conviction for any of the criminal offences referred to in ArticlesArticle 3,3 4(1)and (2(1))in Article 4(1), (2) and (3c);
AI: Note on change 60 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Sets limitation period of fifteen years from final conviction for certain offences.
Change 61
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 8, Article 12 – paragraph 4 – point b: (b) ten years from the date of the final conviction for the criminal offence referred to in Article 44(2a), (2(2))(3), to(3a) and (3b);
AI: Note on change 61 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Sets limitation period of ten years from final conviction for other offences.
Change 62
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 8, Article 12 – paragraph 4 – point b a (new): (ba) eight years from the date of the final conviction for any of the criminal offences referred to in ArticlesArticle 4(3d)4(3d), to(3e) and (3f) and in Article 5.
AI: Note on change 62 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds eight-year limitation period from final conviction for concealment and misconduct.
Change 63
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 8, Article 1228 – paragraph 5 – point a: (a) ten years from the date of the final conviction for any of the criminal offences referred to in ArticlesArticle 3,3 4(1)and (2(1))in Article 4(1), (2) and (3c);
AI: Note on change 63 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Sets shorter limitation period of ten years from final conviction for certain offences.
Change 64
ChangedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 8, Article 1228 – paragraph 5 – point b: (b) eight years from the date of the final conviction for the criminal offence referred to in Article 4(2(2))4(2a), to(3), (3a) and (3b);
AI: Note on change 64 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Sets shorter limitation period of eight years from final conviction for other offences.
Change 65
RemovedArticles 12 – paragraph 5 – point b a (new)
AddedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 8, Article 28 – paragraph 5 – point b a (new): (ba) eight years from the time when the offence was committed, for the criminal offences referred to in Article 4(3d), (3e) and (3f) and in Article 5.
RemovedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 8: (ba) five years from the date of the final conviction for any of the criminal offences referred to in Articles 4(3d) to (3f) and 5.
AI: Note on change 65 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds shorter limitation period of eight years for concealment and misconduct offences.
Change 66
RemovedArticles 12 a (new)
AddedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 8 a (new), Article 12 a (new): (8a) The following Article 12a is inserted: / ‘Article 12a / Privileges or immunity from investigation and prosecution of corruption offences Member States shall ensure that the provisions of Article 19 of Directive (EU) XXX on combating corruption are applicable to the offences referred to in this Directive.’
RemovedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 8 a (new): (8a) Article 12a is inserted: / ‘Privileges or immunity from investigation and prosecution of corruption offences / Member States shall ensure that the provisions in Article 19 of Directive (EU) XXX on combating corruption are applicable for the offences referred to in this Directive.
AI: Note on change 66 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds new Article 12a to Directive 2017/1371 on privileges or immunity.
Change 67
RemovedArticles 12 b (new)
AddedArticle 28 – paragraph 1 – point 8 b (new), Article 12 b (new): (8b) The following Article 12b is inserted: / ‘Article 12b / Protection of persons who report offences or assist the investigation / In addition to the measures provided under Directive (EU) 2019/1937, Member States shall ensure that persons reporting offences referred to in this Directive and providing evidence or otherwise cooperating with the investigation, prosecution or adjudication of such offences are provided the necessary protection, support and assistance in the context of criminal proceedings.’
RemovedArticle 28 – paragraph 8 b (new): (8b) Article 12b is inserted: / ‘Protection of persons who report offences or assist the investigation / In addition to the measures provided under Directive (EU) 2019/1937, Member States shall ensure that persons reporting offences referred to in this Directive and providing evidence or otherwise cooperating with the investigation, prosecution or adjudication of such offences are provided the necessary protection, support and assistance in the context of criminal proceedings.’
AI: Note on change 67 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds new Article 12b to Directive 2017/1371 on protection of reporters.
Change 68
ChangedArticle 30 – paragraph 2 a (new): 2a. The Commission shall analyse the submissions provided by Member States under paragraph 2 and include its conclusions in the annual RuleAnti-Corruption ofreport, Lawas Reportreferred to in Article 26a, assessing the extent to which Member States implement this Directive.
AI: Note on change 68 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Requires Commission to include conclusions in annual Anti-Corruption Report.
Change 69
AddedArticle 30 – paragraph 3: 3. By [48 months after the deadline for implementation of this Directive], the Commission, in consultation with the Anti-Corruption Coordinator, shall submit a report to the European Parliament and to the Council, assessing the added value of this Directive with regard to combating corruption. The report shall also cover the impact of this Directive on fundamental rights and freedoms. On the basis of this evaluation, the Commission shall, if necessary, decide on appropriate follow-up actions.
AddedArticle 30 a (new): Article 30a / Committee procedure / 1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. That committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. / 2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.
AI: Note on change 69 · substance Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Adds requirement for Commission report on added value of Directive, and establishes committee procedure.
Change 70 under “EXPLANATORY STATEMENT”
ChangedBeyond defining criminal offences, the proposal introduces new rules on sanctions and procedural safeguards aiming to eliminate any avenues of avoiding prosecution of corruption. The draft report raises some of the minimum sentences of imprisonment to bring them in line with the seriousness of the conduct in question. It also introduces the concept of grand corruption where special care needs to be taken that criminal investigations are not hindered by jurisdictional disputes or immunity of the suspects.
AI: Note on change 70 · wording only Written by AI from the official text — check the source · deepseek-v4-flash · 4 Sept 2026
Removes explanatory statement on grand corruption concept.
Sources & citation
Where the facts on this page come from, and how to cite it.
- Data source
- Licensed CC BY 4.0.
- Retrieved
- 25 September 2026
Cite as
European Parliament (2024). “Changes between LIBE-PR-753573 and A-9-2024-0048”. Text, 21 February 2024. from LIBE-PR-753573, to A-9-2024-0048, reference 2023/0135(COD). EU Parl Watch Research. https://news.eu-parl.st-solutions.dev/texts/LIBE-PR-753573/compare/A-9-2024-0048 (retrieved 25 September 2026). Data: European Parliament Open Data, https://data.europarl.europa.eu/ (CC BY 4.0).
BibTeX
@misc{epw-text-2024-02-21,
author = {{European Parliament}},
title = {{Changes between LIBE-PR-753573 and A-9-2024-0048}},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-02-21},
howpublished = {\url{https://news.eu-parl.st-solutions.dev/texts/LIBE-PR-753573/compare/A-9-2024-0048}},
url = {https://news.eu-parl.st-solutions.dev/texts/LIBE-PR-753573/compare/A-9-2024-0048},
urldate = {2026-09-25},
publisher = {EU Parl Watch Research},
note = {Text. from LIBE-PR-753573, to A-9-2024-0048, reference 2023/0135(COD). Data: European Parliament Open Data (CC BY 4.0)}
}