A major EU fraud scandal is erupting in Slovakia, as the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) officially launches a sweeping investigation into allegedly fraudulent “hacienda” projects financed with European funds. The probe could lead to multimillion-euro repayments, criminal charges, and political fallout both in Bratislava and Brussels.
Czech MEP Tomáš Zdechovský confirmed the development, announcing on the social platform X that OLAF has begun examining projects suspected of misusing EU money.
“OLAF has started investigating haciendas and other projects where fraud and embezzlement of European finances occurred,” Zdechovský said in an interview from Strasbourg. According to him, all submitted cases involving questionable Slovak projects were accepted, triggering what he described as a “large-scale investigation.”
Ministries Under Pressure
In the coming weeks, OLAF is expected to request cooperation from Slovak ministries and the Agricultural Paying Agency (PPA), demanding documentation and performance results to determine whether the projects fulfilled their intended purpose.
Delegations from the European Parliament have already visited Slovakia to assess the situation. Zdechovský argued that the projects were supposed to increase tourism capacity and benefit local economies. Instead, evidence reportedly shows that several haciendas never operated as public accommodations, hosted no guests, and served no tourism function — a direct violation of funding rules.
“If it is proven that these were fake or purposefully misused projects, Slovakia may be forced to return the money,” Zdechovský warned. Possible consequences include disciplinary procedures and recommendations for criminal prosecution.
Slovak Police Step In
The scandal has also drawn the attention of Slovak law enforcement. Earlier investigations revealed that out of 53 EU-funded guesthouses, nine showed irregularities. Four contracts may be canceled, while six cases have already been forwarded to criminal authorities.
Police announced in late September that two individuals and one company were charged in connection with unlawful EU fund withdrawals totaling more than €151,000.
According to police spokesperson Roman Hájek, the accused face charges of damaging the EU’s financial interests, subsidy fraud, and procurement manipulation. They could receive two to six years in prison if convicted. The case is supervised by the Bratislava Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
What Comes Next?
Brussels is now awaiting responses from Slovak authorities. If OLAF concludes that funding was misused, Slovakia could face severe financial penalties and reputational damage at a time when EU oversight of spending is tightening.
The investigation marks one of the most significant EU fraud cases involving Slovakia in recent years — and its political and legal consequences are only beginning to unfold.