The customs authority’s division responsible for curbing clandestine work has announced that, in 2025, it opened more than 52,100 administrative infringement cases and roughly 98,200 criminal investigations nationwide. This is a rise from the previous year, when 49,700 infringement cases and about 96,800 criminal cases were initiated.
The numbers of concluded cases also climbed. In 2025 approximately 93,500 criminal cases and 49,500 infringement cases were closed, compared with 90,800 criminal and 46,500 infringement cases the year before. About 25,800 employers underwent inspections by the division in the past year, up from 25,300 in 2024.
The investigations led to nearly 1,200 years of prison sentences and uncovered total damages of around €675 million. These damages were primarily due to unpaid social‑security contributions, taxes, and other liabilities such as unpaid minimum wages.
A new law aimed at modernising and digitising the fight against clandestine employment, which entered force at the end of 2025, is intended to further strengthen the division’s work. It enables more advanced data analysis to better spot high‑risk audit targets and expands the division’s powers.
