How does EPPO cooperate with OLAF and Eurojust?
International investigations in the EU are becoming increasingly coordinated and effective. While previously theft of budget funds or VAT fraud might have remained within the borders of one country, today these issues are handled by three powerful entities — EPPO, OLAF, and Eurojust. Their collaboration allows for gathering evidence from different states, requesting information from tax authorities, and disrupting financial schemes at early stages. EPPO is not just a new prosecutor’s office; it is a supranational body with the authority to initiate criminal cases and bring charges in EU courts. OLAF conducts parallel administrative investigations, while Eurojust coordinates everything at the level of multiple countries.
If your business has dealt with EU projects, received subsidies, or worked with offshore structures, you may already be under the observation of these authorities. Our legal team specializes in cross-border defense in cases related to EPPO, OLAF, and Eurojust. We identify risks at an early stage, help clarify the status of the case, represent client interests in European jurisdictions, and provide full legal support from the first inquiry to court defense.
The role of EPPO in the legal system of the European Union
European Public Prosecutor’s Office is a supranational body for criminal prosecution, established by the European Union with the aim of combating crimes affecting the financial interests of the EU. EPPO has unique powers: it can initiate criminal cases, conduct investigations, initiate searches, confiscations, interrogations, and arrests within the EU member states. This is the first body in EU history with the right to act directly in the criminal law sphere.
EPPO was established in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 and officially began its work on June 1, 2021. The headquarters of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office is located in Luxembourg, and investigations are conducted through a network of delegated prosecutors in the participating countries.
The key task of EPPO is combating crimes against the budget of the European Union. The focus of the prosecutor’s office includes:
- Fraud with European funds and grants;
- Complex schemes of VAT evasion, especially in cross-border transactions;
- Corruption related to the expenditure of EU funds;
- Money laundering obtained as a result of crimes affecting the interests of the EU.
EPPO operates independently of national governments and EU institutions. Its activities are coordinated by a college of prosecutors, while operational work is entrusted to delegated prosecutors appointed in each of the 22 participating countries. EPPO is not dependent on national ministries of justice and can make decisions on investigations without interference from local authorities. Where national bodies are limited by the scope of their jurisdiction, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office can combine efforts and data from multiple countries, effectively responding to complex financial fraud schemes.
What is the difference between OLAF and how does it interact with EPPO?
European Anti-Fraud Office, OLAF, is a specialized body of the European Union, established to investigate financial violations, corruption, and fraud affecting the interests of the EU. Its task is to protect the EU budget from abuse by identifying cases of illegal use of European funds, procurement violations, conflicts of interest, and other administrative offenses.
Unlike EPPO, OLAF does not have the authority to initiate criminal cases or prosecute. OLAF can conduct administrative investigations, collect documents, interview witnesses, analyze financial flows, but does not have the right to bring charges or refer a case to court. If during an investigation OLAF identifies signs of a criminal offense, it transfers the materials to the competent authority.
It is important to note that OLAF can operate in EU countries that do not participate in the EPPO system (Poland, Hungary, Ireland), as well as outside the EU — when it comes to European grants and projects in third countries. This makes OLAF a universal control tool, covering a much wider geographical scope than EPPO.
The role of Eurojust in supporting EPPO investigations
Eurojust is the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation. It was established in 2002 to coordinate the actions of national prosecution and investigation authorities in combating cross-border crime. The headquarters of Eurojust is located in The Hague, Netherlands.
Unlike EPPO, Eurojust does not conduct its own investigations and does not initiate criminal cases. Its main task is to facilitate and coordinate between EU member states (as well as third countries) for effective law enforcement in complex criminal cases. It serves as a platform for the operational interaction of national prosecutors, investigators, judges, and other competent authorities.
The main powers of Eurojust:
- Coordination of criminal investigations and prosecutions between two or more countries;
- Assistance in resolving jurisdictional conflicts if several states claim to handle the same criminal case;
- Organization and conduct of Joint Investigation Teams (JITs);
- Exchange of information on transnational matters, including financial crimes, terrorism, cybercrime, and human trafficking;
- Providing support in the execution of European Arrest Warrants (EAW) and other legal requests.
Although EPPO has its own vertically integrated structure with delegated prosecutors in participating countries, issues related to other states require additional coordination. Here, Eurojust plays a critically important role. Eurojust provides access to its coordination platform to facilitate interaction with non-participating EPPO states. Additionally, Eurojust takes part in joint meetings of prosecutors, organizes coordination meetings to align strategies, exchange evidence, and plan searches and arrests.
Without effective coordination between EU member states, investigations could be hindered by bureaucratic procedures, discrepancies in legislation, or jurisdictional disputes. Eurojust minimizes these risks by creating a common legal and operational framework for work.
Why is interaction between EPPO, OLAF, and Eurojust important?
To protect the rights of the suspect, it is extremely important to understand which body initiated the investigation, at what stage the case is, and what measures are applicable. For example, OLAF can conduct interviews and analyze documents but does not have the authority to make arrests—whereas EPPO has the powers to conduct searches, seize property, and press charges. Eurojust, on the other hand, is necessary for coordinating actions, especially if the case involves multiple countries.
The joint actions of EPPO, OLAF, and Eurojust not only allow financial offenses to be detected at an early stage but also bring cases to trial within a short timeframe. Such cooperation is especially important in the context of cross-border schemes: VAT fraud, grant manipulations, and money laundering across multiple jurisdictions. For the accused themselves, this means that the investigation can unfold discreetly and quickly gain momentum.
Therefore, at any hint of interest from European structures, it is necessary to urgently consult a lawyer to understand which body is involved and what the defense strategy is. Only by having a complete understanding of the architecture of EU law enforcement structures can a timely and effective legal response be ensured.
What are the risks for companies and individuals?
EPPO’s attention is often drawn to cross-border transactions, tenders, EU subsidies, VAT refund schemes, cooperation with offshore structures, and the misuse of EU funds. However, even an individual acting as a project beneficiary can become a subject of investigation. Participation in a project with European funding or transactions between EU countries automatically fall under the control of EPPO and OLAF.
In some cases, an administrative investigation by OLAF, criminal prosecution by EPPO, and Eurojust’s involvement for coordinating actions between states are conducted simultaneously. Such a combination may imply investigations in several jurisdictions at once, searches, freezing of accounts and property, requests for banking information, summons for interrogation, and even extradition procedures.
A particular threat is posed by the secrecy of EPPO’s actions. A person may not even know they are under investigation until they face travel restrictions, asset freezes, or a court summons. Companies that do not conduct regular checks on beneficiaries, sources of funds, and compliance of their operations with EU standards risk facing accusations of money laundering, fraud, and tax evasion.
Defense in such cases requires a precise legal strategy and immediate intervention by professionals. The earlier a lawyer is involved, the higher the chance of minimizing the consequences. Ignoring the first signs of interest from European structures can lead to irreversible consequences: from reputational losses to criminal liability.
How we help clients involved in EU structures investigations
We assist clients at all stages: from the initial administrative requests by OLAF to criminal prosecution under EPPO. We guarantee prompt analysis of the situation and risk identification, determination of which authority is conducting the investigation, development of a defense strategy within the framework of EU legislation and the specific country, and representation of the client’s interests in national and European courts. We understand how the internal workings of these structures are organized, how they exchange information among themselves, and we know how to use this to protect the client’s interests.
Investigations often span several EU countries at once, creating additional legal complexities: different interpretations of legislation, competing requests for interrogations or extraditions, asset freezes in various countries. We collaborate with licensed attorneys across the European Union, which allows us to coordinate defense in cross-border cases, achieve the lifting of arrests and restrictions, and challenge unlawful actions at the EU level. Our lawyers are well-versed in the national specifics of procedural law, which is especially important when working with EPPO and Eurojust.
When an investigation spans several countries, jurisdictional conflicts often arise—where to initiate the case, which laws to apply, in which country to render a decision. We know how to act effectively in such situations, achieving the transfer of the case to a more neutral jurisdiction, the termination of duplicate investigations, and protection against double jeopardy. Our goal is to minimize the client’s risks and prevent arbitrary decisions based on political and economic motives.
Request legal assistance for investigations in the EU
If you have learned about the initiation of an investigation by EPPO, OLAF, or other European Union bodies, act without delay. Even at the early stage of the inquiry, the correct legal strategy is crucial to avoid arrest, asset freezing, or criminal prosecution.
Our legal team provides professional protection in cross-border cases in EU countries. We understand the mechanisms of interaction between European institutions, know court practices, and are ready to defend your rights at every stage. Contact us right now — the sooner you receive a consultation, the higher the chances of a favorable outcome.
FAQ
What is the difference between OLAF and EPPO?
OLAF conducts administrative investigations into financial violations affecting the EU budget. Its task is to identify suspicious activities, collect evidence, and forward it to the competent authorities. Unlike OLAF, EPPO is an independent prosecution body that has the authority to initiate criminal cases, conduct searches, make arrests, and file charges in the courts of EU countries.
Is OLAF part of the European Commission?
Yes. OLAF is an independent division of the European Commission. Despite its connection to the Commission, OLAF operates autonomously when conducting investigations. It does not have the authority to initiate criminal cases but plays a key role in ensuring financial integrity within EU institutions and among recipients of European funding.
What is the difference between Europol and Eurojust?
Europol is the European Union agency for coordinating police cooperation between member states. It focuses on information exchange, threat analysis, and support in the field of transnational crime. Eurojust, on the other hand, coordinates cooperation between national prosecutors and investigators in criminal cases, especially in cases involving multiple jurisdictions. In other words, Europol assists the police, while Eurojust assists prosecutors.
What is the function of Eurojust?
Eurojust plays a key role in coordinating the actions of prosecutors from different EU countries. It helps to avoid jurisdictional conflicts, coordinates procedural actions (for example, synchronization of searches and arrests in different countries), and simplifies cooperation in cross-border cases. Eurojust also closely collaborates with EPPO, supporting investigations into crimes against the EU budget.
