EPPO Annual Report 2025 Highlights €67 Billion Revenue Fraud

• The EPPO reported €45 billion of estimated damage from revenue fraud by the end of 2025.
• Freezing orders worth €1.13 billion were granted by competent authorities in 2025.
• Assets worth €288.93 million were frozen during the year, paving the way for potential confiscation.
• The EPPO is actively investigating cases related to NextGenerationEU funds and organised crime.
• Revenue fraud accounts for approximately 86.66% of estimated damage in organised crime cases.

The significant increase in estimated damage from revenue fraud, now exceeding €67 billion, is a pressing concern that warrants attention from legal professionals.

The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) has made significant strides in tackling revenue fraud, with €45 billion of estimated damage under investigation by the end of 2025. This represents a substantial portion of the overall estimated damage, accounting for more than 67% of the total. The EPPO's efforts have also led to a notable increase in freezing orders, with €1.13 billion granted by competent authorities in 2025. Furthermore, assets worth €288.93 million were frozen during the year, paving the way for potential confiscation after final judgment.

The EPPO has been actively investigating cases related to NextGenerationEU funds and organised crime, with 518 active cases involving these areas by the end of 2025. These investigations have uncovered a significant number of offences, including participation in criminal organisations, which account for 22.23% of the total estimated damage in all ongoing EPPO cases.

The EPPO's work is crucial in addressing revenue fraud and its impact on EU revenue. The Office's efforts are also essential for maintaining public finances and ensuring security within the European Union. In this context, the EPPO's operational capacity has been strengthened through expanded international cooperation frameworks, with 12 new working arrangements signed with key partners in 2025. This expansion brings the total number of working arrangements to 28, enabling more effective cross-border investigations.

The EPPO's focus on revenue fraud is particularly important given its significant share of estimated damage in organised crime cases. Revenue fraud accounts for approximately 86.66% of the estimated damage in these cases, highlighting the need for continued efforts to combat this type of crime.

The EPPO's annual report highlights a growing risk of non-compliance and potential exposure for businesses operating in the EU. The significant increase in estimated damage from revenue fraud, now exceeding €67 billion, is a pressing concern that warrants attention from legal professionals. As the EPPO continues to tackle this issue, lawyers should be aware of the implications and take necessary steps to ensure compliance with relevant regulations.

The EPPO's efforts are also crucial for maintaining public finances and ensuring security within the European Union. By addressing revenue fraud and its related crimes, the Office is making a significant dent in a criminal industry that has been tolerated for too long.

Lawyers should watch for the significant increase in estimated damage from revenue fraud, which may indicate a growing risk of non-compliance and potential exposure for businesses operating in the EU.

Source: Original reporting via EPPO Annual Report 2025