Which authority supervises real estate agents for AML compliance in the UAE?
The Ministry of Economy and Tourism (MoET) is the AML/CFT supervisory authority for real estate agents and brokers operating in mainland UAE. MoET issues sector guidance, conducts inspections, and applies administrative penalties for non-compliance. Real estate firms licensed and operating from the DIFC or ADGM financial free zones are instead supervised by the DFSA and the ADGM Registration Authority respectively.
MoET’s supervision covers the full range of DNFBP duties: registration on goAML, business risk assessment, customer due diligence, sanctions screening, record-keeping, and suspicious transaction reporting. The Ministry also coordinates with the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit, which receives REAR and STR filings, and with the National Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Financing of Terrorism Committee on national policy.
Legal Reference (UAE):
· Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, Article 17 - empowers the Supervisory Authority to impose administrative penalties on DNFBPs for AML breaches.
· Ministry of Economy and Tourism AML pages - confirm MoET’s supervisory role over DNFBPs including real estate agents and brokers.
For more details, consult the MoET AML guidance or seek guidance from your AML compliance officer.