Spain's Anti-Corruption Efforts Criticized by Council of Europe
New GRECO report shows Spain has failed to implement key anti-corruption recommendations since 2019.
Key Points
- • Spain has not fully complied with any of the 19 anti-corruption recommendations from GRECO since 2019.
- • Three recommendations remain unimplemented; the issue of political privileges and lobby regulation are highlighted as critical.
- • The Spanish government claims compliance with 24 out of 30 recommendations, but GRECO disputes this regarding the 2019 recommendations.
- • Spain must report on its anti-corruption progress by June 30, 2026, amid warnings of high corruption risks.
Spain remains non-compliant with the Council of Europe's anti-corruption recommendations, according to a recent report from the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO). Published on August 1, 2025, the report indicates that since 2019, Spain has failed to fully implement any of the 19 recommendations aimed at tackling corruption, although partially addressing 16 of them.
The GRECO report highlights significant shortcomings, particularly in reforms related to political privileges, lobby regulation, and law enforcement strategies. Notably, the issue of political *aforamientos* (privileges) has seen no substantive reforms, which raises concerns about judicial actions against officials suspected of corruption. The lack of transparency regarding lobbying activities and inadequate measures to regulate revolving doors in politics also draw criticism. As GRECO points out, the political integrity mechanisms in place, such as agenda publications of public officials, are lacking critical transparency.
The Spanish government asserts that it has implemented 24 out of 30 recommendations from various GRECO processes, but this claim is contested; GRECO maintains that the specific recommendations from 2019 remain unaddressed. The report also calls attention to mixed progress within law enforcement agencies. While the Guardia Civil has initiated several ethical plans, the National Police is reported to lack a clear anti-corruption strategy.
Additionally, the European Commission has expressed its concerns about high corruption risks in Spain, particularly highlighting public contracting and party financing as areas of worry. There is a demand for a more ambitious national strategy to enhance institutional transparency and control.
Spain is required to submit a comprehensive report detailing its progress in implementing these recommendations by June 30, 2026, as part of a non-compliance procedure initiated in 2023. GRECO’s ongoing scrutiny indicates that despite some efforts, significant gaps remain in Spain's anti-corruption framework, raising questions about the effectiveness of its political and legal reforms.