AMLA mission and goals
The Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA) is a decentralised EU agency that will coordinate national authorities to ensure the correct and consistent application of EU rules.
The aim of the EU Authority is to transform the anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) supervision in the EU and enhance cooperation among financial intelligence units (FIUs).
AMLA’s key responsibilities will include:
- Directly supervising selected financial sector entities that operate on cross border basis and present high risk of money laundering and terrorism financing, as well as indirectly supervising other entities in the financial and non-financial sectors
- Supporting and coordinating Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) by facilitating joint cross-border cases analyses, enabling controlled information exchange, providing capabilities, advanced data analytics and managing the common FIU.net information system
- Complementing EU AML/CFT rules by developing regulatory and implementing technical standards and issuing guidelines
AMLA’s seat is in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
AMLA setup steps
An ambitious legislative package aimed at strengthening the EU’s Anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) rules presented by the European Commission in July 2021. It was approved by the Parliament on 24 April 2024 and adopted by the Council on 30 May 2024.
The AMLA Regulation, AML Regulation and 6th AML Directive were published in the Official Journal on 19 June 2024.
AMLA has a legal existence since 26 June 2024.
The AMLA Task Force is leading the establishment of the new Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA) in the context of the AML package that the European Commission proposed in 2021, and the European Parliament and the Council of the EU approved in 2024.
The Task Force is in charge of initiating and coordinating the preparatory steps related to the setting up of the new Authority. It will also ensure that the first decisions and actions can effectively and rapidly be taken with the legal establishment from 26 June 2024 on, such as
- negotiating a headquarters agreement
- selecting suitable facilities for AMLA, including a building, equipment and services
- recruiting administrative and operational staff
- supporting the setup of the agency’s governance, including the pre-selection of AMLA’s Chair, Executive Board members and Executive Director
- managing the Agency’s 2024 budget and preparing future budgetary plans
- designing and implementing essential IT architecture to support AMLA’s operations
Timeline
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1 January 2028
Start of direct supervision, with AMLA fully operational
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End of 2027
AMLA staff reaches a cruising capacity of about 430
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During 2027
40 obliged entities are selected to be directly supervised
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During 2026
Gradual ramping up of IT business service and assessment of AMLA’s future IT needs
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End of 2025
AMLA staff is around 80; IT support for AMLA's administration and the transfer of the EuReCA database become operational
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Summer 2025
AMLA starts operations, and consults on some implementing rules. AMLA’s Executive Director is appointed
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April-May 2025
AMLA Executive Board Members are appointed by the Council
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First quarter of 2025
AMLA opens its new office in Frankfurt; AMLA and starts working on some level 2 & 3 measures and other policy projects
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16 February 2025
The Chair takes office in AMLA
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21 January 2025
Bruna Szego is appointed first Chair of AMLA by the Council, she will publicly and legally represent AMLA
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26 June 2024
AMLA is legally established
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19 June 2024
The AMLA Regulation is published in the Official Journal
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30 May 2024
Adoption by the Council of the Anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) rules package including the AMLA Regulation.
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24 April 2024
European Parliament plenary votes on the reports on Anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism legislative package
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20 July 2021
The European Commission presents an ambitious package of legislative proposals to strengthen the EU’s Anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) rules.