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EBA Remote Onboarding Guidelines

European Union

2022

AML/CFT

Privacy

Overview

The EBA Remote Customer Onboarding Guidelines were issued by the European Banking Authority (EBA) under Article 13(1) of the EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD). They came into effect on October 2, 2023, and apply to credit and financial institutions across the EU. These guidelines aim to harmonize practices for onboarding customers remotely while ensuring compliance with AML/CFT requirements.

The guidelines define clear standards for banks, fintechs, and other financial institutions when using digital solutions like video KYC, biometric checks, and document verification. They also require strong internal controls, proper governance, and the use of trustworthy technologies to prevent impersonation, identity fraud, and other onboarding risks.

Key Obligations

Institutions must conduct a comprehensive risk assessment before adopting remote onboarding tools
Identity verification must rely on secure, reliable, and fraud-resistant technologies
Manual intervention and human oversight are required for certain high-risk cases

Institutions must ensure technical solutions are explainable, reproducible, and auditable
Outsourced providers must meet equivalent AML/CFT obligations and be properly supervised

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FAQ

Who do the EBA guidelines apply to?

They apply to credit institutions and financial institutions in the EU that onboard customers remotely.

Are video KYC and biometrics allowed under the guidelines?

Yes, if the technology is secure, fraud-resistant, and fits the institution’s risk profile.

Can institutions outsource onboarding processes?

Yes, but they remain fully responsible for compliance and must supervise the provider.

Is the use of AI in onboarding addressed?

Yes, AI tools must be explainable and not fully autonomous in high-risk scenarios.