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European AML/CFT Framework

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In 2024, the EU AML/CFT package was adopted. This package introduces new rules aimed at combating money laundering and terrorist financing. The objective of the AML/CFT package is to establish a harmonised European supervisory framework and a Single Rulebook for institutions. The package consists of the Anti-Money Laundering Regulation (AMLR), a new Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD6), and the Regulation establishing a European supervisory authority, the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA).

Single Rulebook

The Single Rulebook consists of the AMLR and AMLD6. As a regulation, the AMLR has direct effect throughout the European Union, including the Netherlands. The Directive (AMLD6) must be transposed into national legislation. In the Netherlands, this will be done through the Implementation Act on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Iwt). The Iwt will replace the current Dutch Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act (Wwft). The progress of the Iwt can be followed here.

The obligations applicable to reporting entities will primarily be laid down in the AMLR. The introduction of the AMLR establishes a uniform European AML/CFT framework. AMLA has been granted various mandates to further develop and specify the AMLR through regulatory instruments and supervisory guidance.

The new AML/CFT framework will become applicable on 10 July 2027. The AMLA website provides an up-to-date overview of ongoing and completed consultations, as well as applicable regulations and guidelines.

Anti-Money Laundering Authority

AMLA will oversee compliance with AML/CFT obligations throughout the European Union. It will do so partly through direct supervision of a limited number of financial institutions (40 institutions, with the selection process to be completed in 2027) and partly through coordinating and supporting national supervisors.

AMLA will establish Joint Supervisory Teams (JSTs) to carry out AML/CFT supervision of a selected group of financial institutions. In addition, AMLA will exercise indirect oversight over other institutions by developing supervisory standards and methodologies. AMLA will also monitor the quality and effectiveness of national supervision. Further information on AMLA and its activities is available on the AMLA website.

As part of its mandate, AMLA will develop Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS), Implementing Technical Standards (ITS), Guidelines (GL), and Recommendations (REC). These instruments will further specify legal requirements, support supervisory convergence, and help ensure consistent implementation across the European Union.

Through this framework, AMLA plays a key role in the harmonised application of the AMLR and in strengthening cooperation between national supervisors and Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs). AMLA has been operational since 1 July 2025, is headquartered in Frankfurt, and will begin directly supervising a selected group of European financial institutions from January 2028.

Together with other supervisors and observers from across the EU, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) participates in the AMLA General Board in its supervisory composition. In this forum, DNB represents the Dutch Wwft supervisory authorities and contributes to the work of AMLA.

Towards European Harmonisation

The European AML/CFT framework replaces the current national approach with a harmonised European framework. For the Netherlands, this will entail, among other things, amendments to legislation and supervisory practices.

The introduction of the AML/CFT framework will make Europe’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing regime more uniform, consistent, and data-driven, resulting in a more effective and efficient approach to preventing money laundering and terrorist financing.

Further Information

Further information on European anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing legislation can be found on the European Commission’s website (Anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism at EU level).

More information on AMLA and the guidelines issued or applied by AMLA in the context of preventing money laundering and terrorist financing can also be found on the AMLA website.