OLAF, or the European Anti-Fraud Office, is an integral institution of the European Union, established to protect the EU’s financial interests by combating fraud, corruption, and any illegal activities affecting the EU budget.

OLAF fulfills this role by conducting administrative investigations into cases of fraud, corruption, and serious misconduct within the EU institutions and bodies, as well as in relation to EU funds spent within and outside the EU.

As an independent investigative service, OLAF not only investigates but also works with EU member states to facilitate the recovery of funds and contributes to the design of the EU’s anti-fraud policies.

OLAF vs EPPO

OLAF is distinct from the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), which is another key EU body focused on protecting the Union’s financial interests. Unlike OLAF, which conducts administrative investigations, EPPO has the authority to conduct criminal investigations and prosecutions related to crimes against the EU budget.

EPPO is an independent and decentralized prosecution office of the European Union with the power to bring cases to court within the member states.

This delineation of roles allows for a comprehensive approach to combating fraud against the EU’s financial interests, with OLAF focusing on administrative investigations and prevention, while EPPO takes on the prosecutorial role in the criminal justice system