European Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance requires navigating complex and evolving regulations, including the Dutch Wwft and the upcoming Anti-Money Laundering Regulation (AMLR). Expertise in this area means understanding both current obligations and future changes that affect a broad range of financial and corporate entities.
Growing risks
Compliance is essential to avoid severe penalties, regulatory enforcement actions, and potential criminal prosecution. As rules expand to cover new sectors, the risks and responsibilities for gatekeepers, such as banks, accountants, and other professional service providers, continue to grow.
We support financial institutions, accountants, and newly regulated businesses facing these challenges, including those entering the scope of European AMLR for the first time.
Experienced team
With over thirty years’ experience and a pragmatic, hands-on approach, our Corporate Crime & Business Integrity team delivers tailored guidance, compliance support, and litigation expertise. Our track record includes representing leading banks and executives in high-profile AML cases, advising on policy development, and assisting with regulatory licence applications. Clients choose us for our deep knowledge, proven results, and ability to offer clear, practical solutions to complex AML challenges.
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Work highlights
- Representing Rabobank in the ongoing AML investigation.
- Assistance to the former CEO of ABN AMRO in the AML investigation.
- Assisting and representing a payment-service-provider, in a cross-border criminal investigation into alleged violations of AML legislation
- Assisting and advising financial institutions, accountants and companies on reporting unusual transactions and the administrative and criminal enforcement of the relevant legislation.
- Assisting various companies in drafting AML policies and SIRAs as part of their application to the Dutch Central Bank for a licence to operate as a payment service provider.
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What others say
- “One of the leading financial crime departments in the Netherlands.” The Legal 500, 2025
- “The NautaDutilh team is hands-on and works as a true partner. The lawyers are there when we need them.” Chambers Europe, 2025
- "The ability to bridge and translate our values, interests and drivers towards the facts, circumstances and principles underlying a criminal process, is the key strength of NautaDutilh." Chambers Europe, 2025.
- “The Corporate Crime and Corporate investigations team of NautaDutilh stands out for their expertise. They handle high profile case, and as one of the few bigger law firms, they also represent their clients in court.” The Legal 500, 2024.
- “The Nauta team is highly experienced and has the respect and trust of the Dutch public Prosecutors.” The Legal 500, 2024
- “The Nauta team in the Netherlands distinguishes itself by demonstrating not only highly professional legal expertise, but also having an acute awareness of changing norms in society and how these might influence the development of law.” The Legal 500, 2024
Specific services
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International Sanctions Advisory
Compliance with international sanctions remains a challenge for internationally operating companies. We provide specialist advice on Dutch and European sanctions regulations. For comprehensive information about our Sanctions Advisory services, including guidance on EU sanctions, multi-jurisdictional sanctions compliance and export control, please visit our dedicated Sanctions Advisory page.
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Navigating together the new European AMLR
The upcoming AMLR represents a fundamental shift from the current directive-based, national approach to a directly applicable EU regulation, creating a more harmonised AML regime across Europe. The AMLR will significantly expand the scope of obliged entities, bringing new categories of gatekeepers - including football clubs, luxury goods dealers, and additional professional service providers - within the regulatory framework alongside traditional financial institutions.
We support both established financial institutions and newly designated gatekeepers in preparing for and implementing these requirements. Whether you are an experienced gatekeeper adapting your existing compliance framework or a newly obliged entity building your AML infrastructure from the ground, our team works alongside you to navigate these complex regulatory changes.
