European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) - Main contents

The European anti-fraud office (OLAF) is a directorate-general that combats fraud, corruption and other similar illicit activities in the European Union. It is responsible for monitoring the affairs of the European institutions and investigating any possible instances of fraud, corruption and financial misconduct within the EU institutions in order to protect the financial interests of the EU. OLAF conducts its investigations in close cooperation with the relevant agencies of the member-states.

The mission of the European Anti-Fraud Office is threefold:

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  It protects the financial interests of the European Union (EU) by investigating fraud, corruption and any other illegal activities;

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  It detects and investigates serious matters relating to the discharge of professional duties by members and staff of the EU institutions and bodies that could result in disciplinary or criminal proceedings;

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  It supports the EU institutions, in particular the European Commission, in the development and implementation of anti-fraud legislation and policies.

What they do

OLAF has budgetary and administrative autonomy, designed to make it operationally independent.

OLAF is empowered to conduct in full independence:

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  internal investigations. i.e. inside any European institution or body funded by the EU budget.

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  external investigations. i.e. at national level, wherever the EU budget is at stake. For this purpose, OLAF may conduct on-the-spot checks and inspections on the premises of economic operators, in close cooperation with the competent Member State and third-country authorities.

OLAF is receiving an increasing quantity of information about possible frauds and irregularities, from a wide range of sources. In most cases this information results from controls by those responsible for managing EU funds within the Institutions or in the Member States.

All allegations received by OLAF undergo an initial assessment to determine whether the allegation falls within the remit of the Office and meets the criteria for opening an investigation.

When a case is opened, it is classified under one of the following three categories:

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  Internal investigations: Internal investigations are administrative investigations within the European Union institutions and bodies for the purpose of detecting fraud, corruption, and any other illegal activity affecting the financial interests of the European Communities; including serious matters relating to the discharge of professional duties.

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  External investigations: External investigations are administrative investigations outside the European Union institutions and bodies for the purpose of detecting fraud or other irregular conduct by natural or legal persons. Cases are classified as external investigations where OLAF provides the majority of the investigative input.

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  Coordination cases: OLAF contributes to investigations carried out by national authorities or other Community departments by facilitating the gathering and exchange of information and contacts.