EU Removes UAE from High Risk List
June 11, 2025
European Union (EU) officially removed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from its high-risk money laundering list, recognizing UAE’s significant strides in securing its financial regulatory framework and combating illicit financial activities.
EU’s decision in this regard aligns the UAE with global AML standards and speaks volumes about the UAE’s dedicated efforts in re-hauling its regulatory compliance framework backed by enforcement actions and a comprehensive legal overhaul. Determined to address the issue at its core UAE had established the Executive Office to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing to addressing financial crimes. Further, a new Penal Code was adopted to strengthen anti-money laundering (AML), anti-bribery, and corruption regulations. Authorities imposed over AED 339 million in fines on various financial institutions and conducted 8,000+ inspections establishing a zero-tolerance policy towards financial crimes.
EU’s delisting of UAE from the high-risk list positively reinforces the country’s relentless efforts towards sustaining investor confidence and cementing its position as a trusted global financial hub. UAE being dropped from the FATF grey list and EU’s high-risk list, in less than 2 years, epitomizes the country’s rising financial integrity in the realm of global finance.
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