European commission offices searched in probe over real estate asset sale

Thursday 12 February 2026 - 15:00

By: Sahili Aya

European commission offices searched in probe over real estate asset sale

Offices of the European Commission were searched Thursday in Brussels as part of an investigation led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) into potential irregularities linked to the sale of real estate assets to the Belgian state.

A source close to the case confirmed that police conducted the searches in connection with the 2024 agreement under which the Commission sold 23 office buildings in the EU quarter of Brussels. The transaction, estimated at around €900 million, was part of a broader restructuring plan to reduce office space following the expansion of remote work after the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, the Commission acknowledged the ongoing investigation and said it is confident that the sale process complied with all applicable rules and procedures. A spokesperson added that the institution would fully cooperate with the EPPO and Belgian authorities by providing all necessary information to ensure a thorough and independent inquiry.

The EPPO confirmed that it is collecting evidence as part of an active investigation but declined to provide further details. Established in 2021, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office is responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes affecting the financial interests of the European Union, including fraud, corruption and cross-border VAT offenses.

The real estate deal had been presented as part of a long-term strategy to streamline the Commission’s property portfolio. Under the agreement, Belgium’s federal investment company was to acquire the buildings before transferring them to developers, contributing to plans aimed at reshaping Brussels’ European district into a more mixed-use urban area.

Authorities have not announced any formal charges, and the investigation remains ongoing.