The Evolution of the EU Model for the Protection of Victims of Crime – From Directive 2012/29/EU to Directive 2026/1472/EU
Purpose: The aim of this article is to compare the standards for the protection of victims laid down in Directive 2012/29/EU with the amendments introduced by Directive (EU) 2026/1472, and to determine whether the amendment merely expands the catalogue of rights or also strengthens the mechanisms for their effective exercise. Design/Methodology/Approach: A dogmatic-legal and comparative approach was adopted, supplemented by an analysis of the institutional, organisational and practical conditions governing the application of both directives. This made it possible to assess not only the content of the measures adopted, but also the conditions under which they actually operate and their impact on the exercise of victims’ rights. Findings: Directive (EU) 2026/1472 retains the foundations of the model adopted in 2012, but clearly strengthens its enforcement dimension. The amendment shifts the emphasis from the formal granting of rights to the creation of conditions for their effective realisation. Practical Implications: The findings may serve as a point of reference for assessing the future transposition of the directive into national law. Originality/Value: The article frames the amendment as part of a broader evolution of the EU model for victim protection — from a formal catalogue of rights towards mechanisms designed to ensure their effective exercise.