Directive (EU) 2026/1021 marks an important step towards a more coherent EU approach to combatting corruption. It creates a single, harmonised set of corruption offences based on unified definitions - while allowing national legislators to maintain or introduce stricter rules – penalties and stronger limitation-period rules and prevention measures applicable across public and private sectors.

The new Directive on combatting corruption entered into force on 31 May 2026 and is to be transposed by EU Member States (including Ireland, except Denmark) into national law by 1 June 2028. An extended transposition deadline of 1 June 2029 is in place for the obligations under Article 20(5) on sectoral risk assessments, and Article 21 on the adoption of national anti-corruption strategies.

As Member States prepare to implement the Directive in their national legal systems, the publication offers a timely reference for practitioners seeking to familiarise themselves with the main features and key novelties of the new anti-corruption framework.