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GRECO: The Netherlands has made some progress in anti-corruption measures concerning the central government, further reforms still needed

The Netherlands has made some progress in preventing corruption and promoting integrity within central government and the police, but further reforms are needed, concludes the Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) in a follow-up report published today.

The report assesses the country’s compliance with the 16 recommendations issued by GRECO in its 2018 Fifth Round evaluation report. To date, the Netherlands has fully implemented seven recommendations, partly implemented eight recommendations, and has yet to implement one recommendation.

GRECO acknowledges certain progress toward implementing the outstanding recommendations regarding persons with top executive functions, such as the appointment of two former ministers as confidential counsellors and the consideration of a bill to codify post-employment rules for former members of government.

However, GRECO underscores the need for more tangible and robust measures. The Netherlands has yet to adopt a dedicated integrity policy that targets areas where risks of conflicts of interest and corruption appear particularly challenging, and which applies to all persons with top executive functions. In addition, the authorities should establish a mechanism for supervising and sanctioning breaches of the Code of Conduct for members of government and introduce a system of regular financial declarations by cabinet members during their mandate. 

Regarding law enforcement agencies, six recommendations have been satisfactorily implemented. Additional steps are necessary to introduce further measures to report and centrally register accepted gifts, as well as to report and register financial interests. 

In accordance with its rules of procedure, GRECO concludes that the Netherlands is not yet in sufficient compliance with the recommendations and has requested the authorities to provide a report on the progress in implementing the outstanding recommendations by 31 March 2026. 

* unofficial translation, as provided by the authorities of The Netherlands

Strasbourg 04/07/2025
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Ever since antiquity, corruption has been one of the most widespread and insidious of social evils. When it involves public officials and elected representatives, it is inimical to the administration of public affairs. Since the end of the 19th century, it has also been seen as a major threat in the private sphere, undermining the trust and confidence which are necessary for the maintenance and development of sustainable economic and social relations. It is estimated that hundreds of billions of Euros are paid in bribes every year. (more)

A word from the President of GRECO

Welcome to this window on GRECO’s world! 
I invite you to use it to look into the work we do with our 48 member States.  We use the dynamics of collective expertise and peer pressure to accomplish action by individual governments that will build durable barriers against corruption and bring to justice those who misuse their position for personal gain to the detriment of society as a whole.

Whether inspired by GRECO’s work, that of others with an anti-corruption agenda or our own experiences and principles, each one of us has a role to play in changing the mind-set to zero tolerance of corruption.

Members of GRECO Bureau

The composition of GRECO's Bureau is the following: Olivier GONIN (Switzerland), Panagiota VATIKALOU (Greece), Vice-President António DELICADO (Portugal), President David MEYER (United Kingdom), Lise CHIPAULT (France), Sorin TĂNASE (Romania) and Alexia KALISPERA (Cyprus).

 BEWARE OF SCAMS

It has been brought to our attention that the name of GRECO is being used for fraudulent purposes. These scams may appear to use letterhead with the GRECO logo, or contain the signatures of actual or fictitious senior GRECO officials, aiming to give the appearance of a legitimate GRECO correspondence.  Sometimes they may include legitimate website addresses to give a veneer of credibility to the scam.

Typically, the solicitations asked potential victims to provide personal information such as signatures or bank account information, and to pay certain advance fees, often described as "processing fees." In return, the potential victim was promised sums of money that the person soliciting the "fees" had no intention of paying. In some cases, those seeking the funds used the names of actual GRECO staff members to sign the letters in order to bolster their credibility.

GRECO, the Council of Europe's anti-corruption body, monitors the way in which its member countries implement the Council of Europe conventions and other instruments at national level. GRECO does not contact members of the public directly by email, telephone, Whatsapp or any other means about specific financial transactions or personal information.

We caution the public to be very wary of these and other similar solicitations that falsely claim to be affiliated with the GRECO. If you have received such a communication, we advise you to immediately terminate that contact.  If you have already paid them money, please contact your local law enforcement without delay.