The Agency for Prevention of Corruption reminds public officials and citizens of the rules regarding the acceptance of gifts, in accordance with the Law on the Prevention of Corruption.

What is a gift?

A gift, in terms of the Law on Prevention of Corruption, is an item, right, or service acquired or performed without compensation, as well as any other benefit given to a public official or a person related to the public official in connection with the exercise of public function.

Appropriate gift

Appropriate gift is a gift worth up to €50.

• The total value of all appropriate gifts that an official may receive in one year is:
• From the same donor– up to €50
• From multiple donors– up to €100

If the gift exceeds the value of €50, the public official is required to hand it over to the state authority.

All appropriate gifts must be reported and recorded in the gift registry.

Protocol gift

Protocol gift is a gift from representatives of another state or an international organization, given during a visit, hosting, or on other similar occasions.

• These gifts become state property or property of the municipality and are recorded in the book of gifts.

Obligations of public officials

• A public official may not accept gifts, except for appropriate and protocol gifts.
• If there is doubt that a gift exceeds €50, it must be declined.
• If the gift could not be declined, the official must hand it over to the state authority within 5 days and submit a written report to the Agency within 8 days.

Transparency and sanctions

• The Agency maintains, updates, and publicly publishes the Gift Registry to ensure transparency.
• Fines for violating gift rules:
• For state authorities: €1,000 to €20,000
• For public officials: €500 to €2,000

Appropriate gifts are of modest value and have a personal, symbolic character, while protocol gifts carry state and institutional significance. In both cases, it is important that public officials act strictly in accordance with the law to preserve citizens' trust and uphold the integrity of institutions.