Whistleblower. Credit: JM Image Factory, Shutterstock.
Spain launches a new independent whistleblower protection agency (Independent Information Provider Protection BureauAIPI) On Monday, September 1, 2025, marks a major milestone in the fight against corruption.
The move follows the approval of the authorities’ laws by the Council of Ministers and the publication of PJC/908/2025 Minister PJC/908/2025 in the official National Gazette on August 12, 2025. This forms part of Act 2/2023, which transfers the EU whistleblower Directive (2019/1937) to Spanish law.
What Spain’s new whistleblowing agency does
AIPI is an independent watchdog with a wide range of power, including:
- Managing external reporting channels for whistleblowers
- Protect and support people reporting fraud
- Investigation and Sanctions for violations of law 2/2023
- Circulation and compliance recommendations issued
- Development of public sector crime prevention models that could form private business standards
Felix Boraños, Minister of Presidency, Judicial and Parliament, said the authorities will in line with the European Directive (Mincerio de Justicciia) to report regulatory violations and strengthen protections for those who ensure a safe reporting channel.
New Compliance Obligations for Spanish Companies
Starting September 1st, companies covered by Law 2/2023 will need to comply with stricter reporting requirements. They are:
- Maintain a confidential and accessible internal reporting system
- Appoint trained officers to oversee these systems
- By November 1, 2025, we will notify AIPI of a new appointment or removal.
Failure to comply could lead to administrative sanctions, reputational damage and weakening of legal defenses under the Spanish corporate criminal liability framework. Global Compliance News.
AIPI will be led by Manuel Villoria, along with an advisory board of legal experts and oversight personnel. For Spain, it represents this type of first authority in a general state government.
For foreigners and multinational companies operating in Spain, it shows a clear shift from voluntary compliance to regulated enforcement. Employees receive stronger protections when reporting fraud, but businesses face closer scrutiny.
Officials are expected to release operational guidance in the coming months and set new benchmarks for whistleblower protection and corporate compliance.
The Ministry of Justice says that AIPI reflects Spain’s commitment to transparency, excellent governance and combating corruption.
Will this help strengthen trust in Spanish institutions, or will it simply add another layer of bureaucracy to the company?
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