In short
- European Parliament - Press reports that the potential gains from further EU action to tackle corruption have been estimated to be worth up to €58.5 billion per year.
- European Parliament notes that a 2025 Special Eurobarometer found that 69% of Europeans believe corruption to be widespread in their country.
What happened
On Thursday, MEPs adopted their priorities for the Commission's imminent anti-corruption strategy, aiming to strengthen prevention, enforcement, and integrity across the EU. The resolution calls for evidence-based risk mapping, harmonised standards, and stronger rules on conflicts of interest, political financing, and transparency.
Parliament links corruption with organised crime, money laundering, and asset concealment, urging stronger action to trace, freeze, confiscate, and recover criminal proceeds. It also highlights risks from crypto-assets, opaque ownership structures, and digital tools, and reiterates its call to phase out investor residence schemes.
The potential gains from further EU action to tackle corruption have been estimated to be worth up to €58.5 billion per year. A 2025 Special Eurobarometer found that 69% of Europeans believe corruption to be widespread in their country. Almost 60% of criminal networks engage in corruption in one way or another according to Europol.
In numbers
- €58.5 billion Estimated annual gains from further EU anti-corruption action
- 69% Europeans who believe corruption is widespread in their country
- 60% Criminal networks engaging in corruption according to Europol
Named in this item
Organization, regulator EU EU Anti-Corruption Strategy —
Organization, regulator EU EU Anti-Corruption Strategy —
What compliance teams should check
- Review and update internal controls to address risks linked to crypto-assets, opaque ownership structures, and digital tools as highlighted by European Parliament.
- Ensure compliance with harmonised standards on conflicts of interest, gifts, sponsored travel, asset declarations, and revolving doors as called for in the European Parliament resolution.
- Monitor developments in the Commission’s annual rule of law reports for specific, measurable anti-corruption recommendations and indicators referenced by European Parliament.
Why it matters
This story signals a major shift in EU anti-corruption policy, with Parliament prioritising cross-border cooperation, asset recovery, and harmonised standards. Compliance officers must adapt to evolving risks, including those from new technologies and crypto-assets, and prepare for stricter rules on conflicts of interest and political financing. The estimated €58.5 billion in annual gains and high public concern underscore the urgency for robust AML/CFT controls and proactive engagement with EU-wide monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.
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