🏛️🔍 EU Commission under investigation for real estate deal irregularities
Oneliner
The European Commission is under investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office for irregularities in a €900 million sale of 23 Brussels buildings to the Belgian sovereign fund SFPIM. The European Court of Auditors previously flagged concerns about the legality of the deal, including a lack of competitive bidding and issues with the evaluation committee's independence. SFPIM is cooperating with investigators, and the European Parliament's Committee on Budgetary Control is also reviewing the transaction. The investigation raises significant questions about governance and accountability within EU institutions.
Key points
- The European Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating a €900 million sale of 23 buildings by the EU Commission.
- Concerns about the legality of the deal were raised by the European Court of Auditors, citing irregularities in the procurement process.
- The Belgian sovereign fund SFPIM, which purchased the buildings, is cooperating with investigators.
- The European Parliament's Committee on Budgetary Control is also scrutinizing the transaction.
Links
- La Libre: Perquisitions à la Commission européenne: la SFPIM coopère et assure respecter la loi
- Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: Immobiliendeal: EU-Kommission im Visier von Ermittlern
Facts
- The sale involved 23 buildings in Brussels, primarily located in the European Quarter.
- The transaction was valued at €900 million.
- The European Court of Auditors identified serious irregularities in the procurement process.
- SFPIM is cooperating with the investigation, which includes searches at its premises.
Quotes
- The Commission must clarify the allegations without reservation — Niclas Herbst
- The selection process is deeply disturbing — Daniel Freund
Justification
- We reviewed 2 verified sources to assemble this distillation.
- Our relevance model assessed the public-interest weight of this topic at 5.00.
- AI narrative synopsis: Investigation into the Commission's 2024 sale of 23 Brussels buildings to Belgian sovereign fund SFPIM; Belgian investigators and European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) carried out searches; concerns previously flagged by the EU Court of Auditors about the deal's legality and governance; SFPIM says it is cooperating.
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Score
- Classification: critical for public life (anchored in EU/European institutions).
- Freshness: 100%.
- Novelty: 100%.
- Density: 67%.
- Weighted salience: 83%.
- Lifecycle stage: approved.
- Why it matters: Significant investigation; high density with multiple articles.
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Article
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The European Commission is currently under investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) regarding the sale of 23 buildings in Brussels to the Belgian sovereign fund, SFPIM, for €900 million. This inquiry follows concerns raised by the European Court of Auditors about the legality and governance of the transaction.
Investigation details
On February 13, 2026, Belgian investigators from the Central Office for the Repression of Corruption, appointed by the EPPO, conducted searches at the Commission and SFPIM's premises. A spokesperson for the EPPO confirmed that evidence was collected as part of the ongoing investigation, although specific details were withheld to protect the integrity of the proceedings.
Background of the sale
The controversial sale occurred in April 2024, when the Commission decided to offload the buildings, primarily located in the European Quarter, citing a reduced need for office space due to increased remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic. SFPIM planned to renovate the properties, converting 70% into modern offices and 30% into housing and commercial spaces.
However, the European Court of Auditors flagged serious irregularities in the procurement process. Notably, the Commission received only one bid from SFPIM, which had submitted an indicative offer prior to the tender's publication. Additionally, the bank guarantee provided by SFPIM was valid for only two months, contrary to the six-month requirement.
Concerns raised
The evaluation committee responsible for awarding the contract was criticized for lacking independence, as all members were subordinate to the authority overseeing the deal. The Court of Auditors also questioned the economic rationale behind the sale, noting that the Commission would continue to use 17 of the buildings until at least 2029, while guaranteeing SFPIM €255 million in rent.
These findings prompted the EPPO's involvement, and the European Parliament's Committee on Budgetary Control has been examining the matter as part of its annual discharge procedure. Reports indicate that €170 million in rent had already been paid before the rental period commenced.
Political response
The Commission has maintained that the sale was conducted properly, with a spokesman expressing confidence in the process. However, this has not assuaged concerns among Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). Daniel Freund, rapporteur for the Committee on Budgetary Control, described the selection process as "deeply disturbing" and expressed significant concern regarding the evaluation committee's integrity. Committee chairman Niclas Herbst emphasized the need for the Commission to clarify the allegations thoroughly, stating that the committee would closely monitor the situation.
Integrity check
The ongoing investigation into the Commission's real estate deal has triggered institutional action, highlighting potential corruption issues at the EU level. The integrity of the procurement process and the governance of public assets are under scrutiny, raising critical questions about accountability within European institutions.