Updated: October 14, 2026
The European Union continues updating its list of high-risk third countries with weaknesses in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing controls.
The EU High-Risk AML List helps financial institutions identify jurisdictions requiring additional scrutiny.
Following changes introduced in 2025, further updates took effect in January 2026.
These developments affect financial institutions, payment providers, and other businesses subject to European AML requirements.
What Is the EU High-Risk AML List?
The EU High-Risk AML List identifies countries with strategic deficiencies in their anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing frameworks.
The European Commission maintains the list through delegated regulations.
Financial institutions and other covered entities must apply enhanced due diligence measures where required for business relationships or transactions involving listed countries.
These requirements help organizations identify and manage potential financial crime risks.
Which Countries Were Added in 2025?
Changes that became effective on August 5, 2025, added several jurisdictions to the EU High-Risk AML List.
These included:
- Monaco
- Algeria
- Angola
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Kenya
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Venezuela
The additions reflected concerns about weaknesses in the affected jurisdictions’ AML and counter-terrorist financing frameworks.
What Changed in January 2026?
Further updates became effective on January 29, 2026.
The European Union added:
- Russia
- Bolivia
- British Virgin Islands
Russia was added through Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/46.
These developments show why organizations should regularly verify the current list rather than relying on older regulatory announcements.
Is the UAE Still on the EU High-Risk AML List?
The United Arab Emirates was removed from the EU high-risk list through the 2025 changes.
As of the European Commission’s published 2026 list, the UAE is not included among the listed jurisdictions.
However, removal from the list does not eliminate the need for risk-based customer due diligence.
Organizations should continue assessing individual customers, transactions, and geographic risk factors.
What Does the EU High-Risk AML List Mean for Businesses?
Businesses subject to applicable EU AML requirements must consider whether customers or transactions involve listed jurisdictions.
Depending on the circumstances, enhanced due diligence may include:
- Obtaining additional customer information.
- Reviewing the source of funds and source of wealth.
- Examining the purpose of business relationships.
- Applying increased transaction monitoring.
- Obtaining additional approvals where required.
Organizations should apply the measures required by relevant laws and regulations.
How Can Businesses Maintain AML Compliance?
Financial institutions should establish procedures for monitoring regulatory changes.
Compliance teams should regularly review the European Commission’s published list and update their internal risk assessments.
Customer screening systems, transaction monitoring processes, and employee guidance should reflect applicable requirements.
Businesses should also maintain records explaining their risk assessments and due diligence decisions.
Final Thoughts
The EU High-Risk AML List continues to change as jurisdictions address financial crime risks and new concerns emerge.
The 2025 and January 2026 updates demonstrate the importance of maintaining accurate regulatory information.
For affected organizations, regularly reviewing the official EU list is an important part of effective AML compliance.
Official sources: European Commission – High-Risk Third Countries | Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/46
