Italy Introduces New Criminal Penalties For Violating EU Restrictive Measures

From 24 January the violation of EU international sanctions has become a criminal violation, also triggering the criminal liability of corporations.

Through Legislative Decree No. 211 of 2025 (the decree) Italy implemented Directive (EU) 2024/1226 on the definition of criminal offences and penalties for violating union restrictive measures (the directive). The government published the decree in the Official Journal on 9 January, and it entered into force on 24 January.

Several months after the expiration of the directive's transposition deadline, Italy has adopted a comprehensive framework on the criminalization of breaches of EU restrictive measures.

The decree:

• criminalizes conduct that was previously subject only to administrative sanctions, particularly under Legislative Decree No. 109/2007;