How does the UAE cooperate internationally on money laundering and asset recovery?

UAE
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The UAE AML Law commits the country to broad international cooperation on money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing. Concerned authorities must give priority to requests for international cooperation, execute them expeditiously, and exchange information with foreign counterparts both automatically and on request, while protecting the confidentiality of the information received.

The law removes common obstacles to cooperation. A request may not be refused merely because it involves financial, customs or tax matters, or because of banking confidentiality, subject to a narrow legal privilege exception. Foreign judgments or judicial orders providing for provisional measures or confiscation of criminal property may be executed without the need for separate national investigations, and the competent judicial authorities can provide mutual legal assistance, including identifying, tracing, freezing, seizing or confiscating funds and providing records. On asset recovery, the Cabinet regulates the procedures for recovering and managing seized, frozen or confiscated assets, and authorities cooperate to enhance recovery effectiveness. For compliance teams, this reinforces why complete records and prompt responses to information requests matter, as they may support cross-border action.

Legal Reference (UAE):

For more details, consult the full text of Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 or seek guidance from your AML compliance officer.

A Guide to Anti-Money Laundering Laws in UAE

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The law removes several grounds that might otherwise be used to refuse a request for international cooperation. A request cannot be refused because it involves financial, customs or tax matters, whether direct or indirect, nor because of mandatory confidentiality provisions applying to financial institutions, DNFBPs or virtual asset service providers, unless the information is covered by legal professional privilege or professional secrecy.

On asset recovery, the law defines the process as identifying, tracing, evaluating, seizing, freezing and confiscating criminal property or funds of equivalent value, enforcing the relevant management orders, and disposing of, restituting, delivering or sharing the property. Article 22 provides for asset recovery and management to be regulated by Cabinet resolution, and the Executive Regulations set out the machinery for cooperation, information exchange and the enforcement of foreign judgments and orders.

Legal Reference (UAE):

· Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, Article 21(1): grounds that cannot justify refusing international cooperation; Article 22: asset recovery and management.

· Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025, Articles 57 to 69: international cooperation, information exchange with foreign counterparts, and enforcement of foreign judgments and orders.

For your own circumstances, check your internal AML policy or speak to your compliance officer.

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