Adopted in a context marked by a persistent deterioration in the perception of corruption within the European Union, Directive (EU) 2026/1021 of 29 April 2026 aims to harmonise the fight against corruption across the European Union.

But is this new instrument likely to bring about a profound transformation of the national legal frameworks of the Member States, particularly for corporates?

This briefing aims at first analysing the directive’s objectives and mechanisms, before assessing its impact across six Member States: France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Poland, The Netherlands.

This briefing has been co-authored by Charles-Henri Boeringer, Partner, Clifford Chance Europe LLP, and Karima Chaïb, Associate, Clifford Chance Europe LLP, with the collaboration of Alice Dunoyer de Segonzac, Antonio Golino, Stella Magistro, Laura Scaramellini, Maria Guinot Barona, Ignacio Baz, David Pasewaldt, Jan Richter, Marcin Cieminski, Pawel M. Gadocha, Roel de Jong and Luce Smithuijsen, Lawyers, Clifford Chance Europe LLP.