On 30 May 2018, the Commission proposed the new EU Anti-Fraud Programme. It will replace the current Hercule III Programme which expires in 2020. The new EU Programme is expected to run from 2021 until 2027, which is the next long-term EU budget cycle.

The Commission proposes making €181 million available to support Member States' efforts to fight fraud and other irregularities affecting the EU budget. Like the current Hercule III Programme, the new one pursues the similar objectives:

• Preventing and combating fraud, corruption, and any other illegal activities affecting the EU’s financial interests;
• Providing tools for mutual assistance in customs matters;
• Supporting the reporting of fraud and irregularities.
• Possible lines of funding include:
• Transnational cooperation;
• Knowledge exchange;
• Expert training;
• Investigative support devices;
• Sniffer dogs;
• Digital forensic tools and secure IT systems;
• Border control equipment.

The European Anti-Fraud Office, OLAF, continues to manage the Programme. The new EU Anti-Fraud Programme is a sectoral part of the general, long-term 2021-2027 EU budget proposed by the Commission on 2 May 2018 (see eucrim 1/2018, pp. 12-13). The Commission hopes that the EP and Council will agree on the new budget soon, so that a smooth transition is guaranteed.