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European Anti-Fraud Office
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Internal administrative investigations

Scope of internal investigations

OLAF has a unique mandate to carry out internal administrative investigations within the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies for the purpose of fighting fraud, corruption, dereliction of duty and any other illegal activity affecting the EU's financial interests.

OLAF’s responsibilities go beyond merely protecting the financial interests of the EU. Internal administrative investigations may address allegations of serious misconduct involving staff and members of the EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, serious ethical breaches or harassment.

To that end, OLAF investigates:

  • serious matters relating to the discharge of professional duties constituting a dereliction of the obligations of officials and other servants of the EU liable to result in disciplinary or, as the case may be, criminal proceedings; or
  • an equivalent failure to discharge obligations by members of institutions and bodies, heads of offices and agencies or staff members of institutions, bodies, offices or agencies not subject to the Staff Regulations.

Examples of behaviours that are subject to investigation, when allegedly involving an EU official, other servant, member of an institution or body, head of office or agency, or staff member, include:

  • false declarations and/or false documents, in particular false declarations of expenses; especially in relation to allowances;
  • undeclared conflicts of interest;
  • undeclared external activities;
  • breaches of the duty of discretion and confidentiality;
  • harassment or other inappropriate behaviour in the workplace;
  • ethical breaches;
  • misappropriation of EU funds.
Cooperation with partners
While performing internal investigations, OLAF can cooperate with the Member States and other EU institutions and agencies. In particular, OLAF works in close cooperation with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.
EU staff/members and Institutions covered
OLAF internal investigations target any allegation of misconduct/fraudulent behaviour involving staff and members of the EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies.
Geographical coverage
OLAF can investigate internal cases occurring anywhere in the world provided it allegedly involves an EU official, other servant, member of an institution or body, head of office or agency, or staff member.
How are investigations conducted?
On the basis of an initial assessment, the Director-General decides whether to open an investigation and assigns the case to investigators. OLAF investigators establish the facts in the alleged case. The investigation concludes with the issuance of a report and recommendations, where applicable.
Who can report serious suspicions to OLAF?
Anyone can report information related to allegations of illegal activity affecting the EU’s financial interests and allegedly involving an EU staff member. This can be done anonymously via the Fraud Notification System or by sending the allegations by post.