AMLR 2026: 3 key developments

As of 1 January 2026, the Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA) has officially taken over all anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing mandates and responsibilities from the European Banking Authority (EBA), as required by the new EU AML/CFT package. This strategic transfer firmly establishes AMLA as the central authority within the integrated European framework for AML/CFT supervision.

During this transitional phase, all existing EBA AML/CFT guidelines and standards will continue to apply, to ensure stability and continuity for obliged entities. Overtime, these will be progressively replaced by updated standards and guidelines issued directly by AMLA.

Starting in 2028, AMLA assume direct supervisory authority over 40 EU’s high-risk financial institutions This transition follows the submission of draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) on ‘Risk assessment for selecting entities for direct supervision’ by the EBA to the European Commission in October 2025. The Commission is expected to adopt these RTS in 2026 following its review.

AMLA’s first selection process for directly supervised institutions will commence on 1 July 2027, utilising the finalised RTS. The process is projected to conclude within six months, paving the way for direct supervision to formally begin on 1 July 2028.

To further prepare for direct supervision, AMLA recently launched a public consultation on draft Implementing Technical Standards (ITS). These standards detail how AMLA and national financial supervisors will cooperate during the selection process and during the transfer of supervisory responsibilities. The consultation period closes at the end of this month, after which AMLA will issue a feedback statement summarising the responses received. The finalised will be submitted to the European Commission, for approval in the second half of 2026.

The core legislative measures of the AMLR, AMLD, and AMLA-R will be strengthened by a range of additional technical standards and guidelines. These will take several forms:

• Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS): Setting out detailed and harmonised requirements based on the main legislation.
• Implementing Technical Standards (ITS): Creating consistent implementation rules across the EU.
• Guidelines (GL): Offering practical support to obliged entities on how to apply the rules effectively in day-to-day operations.

AMLA will draft these standards and guidelines, which will then be formally adopted by the European Commission.

A significant milestone is approaching on 10 July 2026, when AMLA must deliver a substantial package of RTS, ITS and GL covering diverse areas of the anti-money laundering framework. One anticipated deliverable for the first half of 2026 is the draft RTS on procedural rules for taking supervisory measures and imposing pecuniary sanctions and periodic penalty payments, pursuant to Article 27(7) AMLR. This RTS will also address rights of defence, temporal provisions, collection of pecuniary sanctions and penalty payments, and detailed rules on limitation periods for the imposition and enforcement of penalties.

Further technical standards and guidelines will address essential topics including:

• Risk assessment methods for both financial and non-financial institutions,
• The functioning of AML/CFT supervisory colleges,
• Customer due diligence and transaction monitoring requirements,
• Internal policies and controls,
• Standard formats for sharing information between Financial Intelligence Units.

The successful and coordinated delivery of these standards by AMLA is a vital milestone in creating a unified and robust European anti-money laundering regime.