EU’s Rule of Law Report | Whistleblower protection requires more than just legislative transposition

23 July 2026

The European Whistleblowing Institute welcomes the European Commission’s latest Rule of Law Report, evaluating the state of whistleblower protection and reporting of corruption across European Union (EU) Member States.

The report marks significant progress: all EU Member States have transposed the core provisions of the EU Whistleblower Protection Directive, with several extending scope beyond minimum EU requirements. Institutional advancements demonstrate that structured, accessible channels actively encourage disclosures.

However, the findings also highlight a persistent trust gap:

• 31% of Europeans still believe reportees are not protected from retaliation

• 29% of Europeans refrain from reporting corruption because they believe no action or punishment will follow

Legislative transposition on paper is a necessary first step, but it is insufficient on its own. Transposition without enforceable safeguards, transparent follow-up mechanisms, and administrative independence leaves whistleblowers vulnerable and undermines public trust in European anti-corruption frameworks.

The European Whistleblowing Institute remains committed to monitoring implementation, providing policy guidance, and supporting organizations across Europe to ensure that reporting is safe and effective.