AMLD6 EU Criminal Law Directive
European Union
2024
AML/CFT
Overview
The Sixth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD6), formally known as Directive (EU) 2018/1673, was adopted in 2018 and came into effect in December 2020. It strengthens the criminal law framework for anti-money laundering (AML) across EU member states by establishing minimum rules for the definition of criminal offences and penalties.AMLD6 introduces a harmonized list of predicate offences, clarifies the scope of criminal liability for both individuals and legal entities, and mandates tougher punishments for money laundering activities. It aims to improve cross-border cooperation and ensure consistent legal enforcement across the banking, financial services, crypto, legal, and real estate industries.
Key Obligations
- Define money laundering as a criminal offence punishable by a minimum of four years imprisonment
- Harmonize 22 predicate offences including tax crimes, environmental crimes, and cybercrime
- Extend criminal liability to legal persons, such as companies and partnerships
- Oblige member states to enable aiding, abetting, and attempt to be punishable
- Require cooperation across member states for cross-border AML investigations
- Enhance asset freezing, seizure, and confiscation of proceeds from crime
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