What fines can a company face for money laundering under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025?
Where a legal person’s representatives, directors or agents commit money laundering, terrorist financing or proliferation financing on its behalf, the company faces a fine of not less than five million dirhams and not exceeding one hundred million dirhams, or an amount equal to the value of the criminal property involved, whichever is greater. This is a sharp increase from the previous ceiling of fifty million dirhams.
For other offences under the law, such as failing to report a suspicious transaction, a legal person can be fined between two hundred thousand and ten million dirhams. If a company is convicted of terrorist financing or proliferation financing, the court must order its dissolution and the closure of the premises where its activity is carried out. In money laundering cases the court has discretion to order the same.
These corporate penalties sit alongside personal liability for the individuals responsible, so directors cannot treat fines as merely a cost of doing business. A credible compliance programme is the practical defence.
Legal Reference (UAE):
· Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, Article 27 sets corporate fines of AED 5 million to AED 100 million for money laundering and related offences committed on a company’s behalf
For more details, consult the full text of Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 or seek guidance from your AML compliance officer.