New rules regulating lobbyist access and transparency have come into force in the European Parliament. From now on, all interest representatives wishing to enter parliamentary premises must activate their electronic badges at the registration center and indicate in advance the purpose of their visit and the specific MEP they intend to meet. Otherwise, entry will be automatically denied.
These measures are part of a broader anti-corruption initiative introduced in response to the Qatargate scandal, which rocked Brussels in 2022. At the time, several Members of the European Parliament were accused of receiving cash and gifts in exchange for political favors from foreign governments. Since then, calls to strengthen ethical standards and transparency in the political process have grown louder across Brussels.
The new rules require mandatory public reporting of meetings with lobbyists, including names, organizations, topics of discussion, and the time of the meeting. The internal code of conduct for MEPs has also been updated to prohibit covert forms of influence, particularly through “civic associations” or unofficial advisory roles.
Critics of lobbying practices have welcomed these steps but stress that without proper enforcement and penalties for violations, the reform may remain symbolic. Several NGOs are urging the European Parliament to go further — requiring real-time disclosure of all lobbyist contacts and the establishment of an independent oversight body.
The European Parliament, for its part, has expressed readiness for further reforms. The head of parliamentary administration stated that transparency is key to restoring public trust: “Citizens have the right to know who influences their representatives and how decisions are made.”
