AMLD6 – 6th Anti-Money Laundering Directive

Directive (EU) 2024/1640 on the mechanisms to be put in place by Member States for the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing (6th Anti-Money Laundering Directive)

Adopted EU-wide EU Directive

Overview

The 6th Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD6) is part of the comprehensive EU AML package, which also includes the AML Regulation and the establishment of the EU Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA). The directive harmonises national mechanisms for combating money laundering.

Who Is Affected?

AMLD6 covers all obliged entities under the AML framework:

  • Credit and financial institutions
  • Crypto-asset service providers
  • Real estate agents
  • Dealers in high-value goods
  • Lawyers, notaries, and accountants
  • Gambling operators

Core Obligations

  1. Beneficial ownership registries: National registries with EU-wide interconnection
  2. FIU cooperation: Strengthened powers and cooperation of Financial Intelligence Units
  3. National risk assessments: Member states must conduct regular risk assessments
  4. Whistleblower protection: Special protection for AML whistleblowers
  5. Criminal sanctions harmonisation: More uniform criminal penalties for money laundering
  6. Supervisory powers: Extended powers of national supervisory authorities

National Transposition

AMLD6 must be transposed into national law by 10 July 2027:

  • Germany: Amendment of the Money Laundering Act (GwG) and Transparency Register
  • Austria: Amendment of the FM-GwG and WiEReG (Beneficial Ownership Register Act)
  • Switzerland: Own AML framework (GwG) but alignment with international standards

Legal Sources

AMLD6: Does it affect you?

Find out if and how this regulation affects your company – we're happy to advise you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What changes with AMLD6?

AMLD6 is part of the new EU AML package. It harmonises requirements for national beneficial ownership registries, strengthens FIU cooperation, and tightens criminal sanctions.

When must AMLD6 be transposed?

Member states must transpose AMLD6 into national law by 10 July 2027.

What is the new EU Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA)?

AMLA, based in Frankfurt, will from 2025 directly supervise the riskiest cross-border obliged entities and coordinate cooperation between national FIUs.