AMLA
AMLAAlso called EU Anti-Money Laundering Authority, authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism
AMLA is the EU Anti-Money Laundering Authority, an EU agency based in Frankfurt that coordinates and supervises the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing. It began operating in July 2025. From 2028 it will directly supervise a group of high-risk financial institutions active across several member states, and it oversees national supervisors and FIUs.
How it works
AMLA works in two ways. In its first selection round it will directly supervise up to 40 credit and financial institutions that are high risk and active in at least six member states, with selection starting by 1 July 2027. For all other obliged entities it oversees national supervisors, issues technical standards and guidelines, and runs peer reviews. It also supports cooperation and joint analyses between national financial intelligence units.
AMLA is the centre of the EU AML package, alongside the single AML rulebook regulation that applies from 10 July 2027. Firms can expect common standards on customer due diligence, reporting and data, drafted by AMLA. Directly supervised groups will face joint supervisory teams and AMLA's power to impose fines. Banks across the EU are preparing data for the risk models that will decide selection.
The rules
Establishes AMLA, its direct and indirect supervisory powers, its FIU support role and its power to adopt standards and impose sanctions.
EU obliged entities, national AML supervisors and FIUsSets a single directly applicable AML rulebook that AMLA supervises and supplements with technical standards.
EU obliged entitiesSets national rules on supervisors, FIUs and beneficial ownership registers, with most provisions to be transposed by 10 July 2027.
EU member states, supervisors and FIUsCommon questions
Which firms will AMLA supervise directly?
In the first round, up to 40 credit and financial institutions, or groups, that are assessed as high risk and operate in at least six member states. Selection runs in 2027, and direct supervision starts in 2028.
Does AMLA replace national AML supervisors?
No. National supervisors keep supervising most obliged entities. AMLA oversees their work, sets common standards and can step in on supervisory failures. It works with national staff in joint supervisory teams for directly supervised firms.
Where is AMLA based?
AMLA is based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. It became operational on 1 July 2025 and took over AML and counter-terrorist financing mandates from the European Banking Authority at the end of 2025.
Does AMLA cover crypto firms?
Yes. Crypto-asset service providers are obliged entities under the AMLR and can be selected for direct supervision if they meet the high-risk and cross-border criteria.
