European Ombudsman highlights work to strengthen ethics and transparency across EU administration

European Ombudsman highlights work to strengthen ethics and transparency across EU administration

Published September 23, 2026

The European Ombudsman has published an overview of its work in strengthening ethics standards across the European Union administration, highlighting the importance of integrity, transparency and accountability in maintaining public trust.

EU institutions are subject to a range of ethics rules intended to ensure that officials act independently and in the public interest. The European Ombudsman monitors how these rules are applied, investigates complaints and systemic concerns, and recommends improvements where existing safeguards are considered insufficient. Over the years, this work has contributed to stronger ethics standards across EU institutions and agencies. 

Revolving doors

One area of particular attention has been the so called “revolving doors” phenomenon, where EU officials move between public office and positions in the private sector. While such career moves are not inherently problematic, they can create actual or perceived conflicts of interest and undermine public confidence if they are not properly managed. The Ombudsman has developed good practice guidance for EU agencies, including clearer rules, greater transparency, regular training and prompt action when restrictions on post service employment are breached. 

The Ombudsman’s scrutiny has also contributed to changes in the European Commission’s approach. The Commission no longer permits staff on temporary leave to take employment in areas where a conflict of interest risk exists and has committed itself to publishing information on senior staff moving to the private sector more promptly, allowing for greater public scrutiny. 

Preventing conflicts of interest

The Ombudsman has also focused on the prevention and management of conflicts of interest. Its work contributed to measures governing experts who advise the European Commission, including the publication of declarations of interests and additional safeguards for experts assessing European Defence Fund proposals.

Following Ombudsman scrutiny, the Commission also strengthened its rules on business trips by staff. Corporate interests are not permitted to pay for Commission staff travel, while information on other third parties financing official trips, including the costs involved and assessments of potential conflicts, is now recorded. 

In the field of public procurement, an Ombudsman inquiry concerning the award of a contract to an investment management company was followed by changes to EU procurement rules and Commission guidance. Bidders with professional conflicts of interest may now be excluded from procurement procedures financed by the EU budget.

Transparency of those holding public office

The Ombudsman has also examined the ethical framework governing European Commissioners. The Commission’s Code of Conduct was strengthened to require more detailed declarations of financial interests and longer cooling off periods after leaving office. Opinions of the Independent Ethical Committee concerning Commissioners’ post mandate employment are also published. 

The Ombudsman has additionally addressed the participation of Commissioners in national election campaigns and has contributed to discussions on ethics reform within the European Parliament. Current Parliament rules require Members of the European Parliament to disclose meetings with registered lobbyists and diplomatic representatives of non EU countries. 

Transparent engagement with lobbyists

Engagement between public authorities and interest representatives is another important area of the Ombudsman’s work. Lobbying is a legitimate part of democratic decision making, but the Ombudsman has consistently stressed that it should take place according to high standards of transparency so that undue influence and conflicts of interest can be identified and avoided. 

To assist EU officials, the Ombudsman developed practical “Dos and Don’ts” for interaction with interest representatives. Its inquiries have also contributed to improvements in the operation of the EU Transparency Register, including stronger investigation of complaints against registered organisations and clearer requirements concerning links between companies and other entities. 

The European Ombudsman’s work reflects the principle that ethical public administration requires more than compliance with the minimum requirements of the law. Integrity, objectivity, transparency and accountability are fundamental to maintaining confidence in public institutions and ensuring that administrative decisions are taken in the public interest.

The overview reinforces the wider role of Ombudsman institutions in promoting good administration, not only by investigating individual complaints but also by identifying systemic weaknesses, encouraging higher standards and helping public institutions strengthen the safeguards that protect their independence and credibility. 

Read more about the work of the EU Ombudsman on Ethics Standards in the EU Administration.