Is there a statute of limitations for money laundering offences in the UAE?
No. Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 provides that criminal proceedings do not lapse by prescription for the crimes of money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing. Penalties already imposed do not extinguish by the passage of time either, and connected civil actions likewise do not lapse.
This means there is no time limit within which authorities must bring proceedings for these core offences, a notable departure that increases long-term exposure for anyone involved. For regulated entities the practical implication reinforces the value of thorough, durable record keeping and sound customer due diligence, because historical transactions can be examined without any limitation defence. Legacy relationships and old files remain relevant to compliance risk indefinitely.
Legal Reference (UAE):
· Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, Article 37(2) — provides that the core financial crime offences do not lapse by prescription
For more details, consult the full text of Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 or seek guidance from your AML compliance officer.