Spain launches a major reform that could change the rules of the game for politicians, businesses, and everyone involved in public contracts. The government’s new initiative aims to make corruption schemes unprofitable and extremely risky. The main focus is on tougher oversight, transparency, and real sanctions for violators.
One of the key innovations will be the creation of an independent body tasked with identifying and preventing corruption schemes. Experts have long discussed this measure, but only now is it being put into practice. The new organization will unite fragmented powers and be responsible for protecting the financial interests of the country and the European Union.
Tougher for businesses
Companies caught in corrupt dealings will face harsher consequences. The period of disqualification from participating in public tenders will be extended to twenty years. This means that even major players who end up on the blacklist will not be able to count on government contracts, subsidies, or tax breaks. Additionally, this list of companies will be made public, which could seriously damage their reputation and business.
Authorities are also introducing new fines, calculated based on the unlawful profits gained. This is intended to make corruption economically unviable for companies participating in questionable schemes. For the first time in a long while, the state will have real tools to put pressure on offenders.
Party finances under scrutiny
Political parties are now required to undergo external audits of their finances. Any violations in reporting will be punished more severely than before. Special attention is given to the transparency of private donations: if the amount exceeds €2,500, information about the donor will become public. This is eight times lower than the previous threshold, greatly expanding the range of monitored transactions.
The government is also tightening control over the use of public funds in election campaigns. Parties will have to report their expenses more frequently, and any attempts to conceal funding sources could lead to serious consequences. The new rules are designed not only to increase trust in political processes but also to reduce the risk of new corruption scandals.
Criminal measures and asset confiscations
A key change concerns the statute of limitations for corruption offenses—investigators will now have more time to gather evidence and prosecute offenders. Efforts to recover illegally acquired assets have been strengthened: the state will be able to seize assets already at the investigation stage, without waiting for a final court verdict.
A mechanism is being introduced to confiscate property even without a conviction if there are reasonable suspicions about its illegal origin. This will allow for a quicker response to attempts to move or hide assets. Authorities expect such measures to serve as a serious deterrent for potential offenders.
What’s next
The final approval of the law is expected in the coming months, after assessments by relevant authorities are received. The document will then go to parliament, where further amendments may be made. Authorities hope that the new regulations will come into force before the end of the current legislature, and that the independent anti-corruption agency will start operating at full capacity.
In recent years, Spain has faced several high-profile corruption cases that led to resignations and court proceedings. Following scandals over party financing and investigations into major companies, public demand for transparency and fairness has only grown. Similar reforms were previously implemented in other EU countries, where the creation of independent agencies and tighter controls over party finances helped reduce corruption and boost trust in state institutions.
