What are the AML penalties for real estate agents in the UAE?
Real estate agents that breach the UAE AML framework face administrative penalties imposed by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism as supervisor. These range from a written warning to an administrative fine of not less than AED 10,000 and up to AED 5,000,000 for each violation. More serious or repeated breaches can lead to restrictions on managers, suspension of the activity, and ultimately revocation of the licence.
The supervisor may also impose incremental fines where the same violation recurs within a year, publish the penalties imposed, and require periodic remediation reports. Separately, where an individual deliberately facilitates money laundering or commits tipping-off, criminal penalties including imprisonment and substantial fines can apply. Compliance failures such as not registering on goAML, failing to file a REAR, or weak due diligence are common grounds for enforcement.
Legal Reference (UAE):
· Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, Article 17 - sets the scale of administrative penalties from warning up to a AED 5,000,000 fine per violation and licence revocation.
· Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025 (Executive Regulations) - details the violations and enforcement procedures.
For more details, consult the full text of Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 or seek guidance from your AML compliance officer.