Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018 was repealed and replaced by Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism and proliferation financing. The 2025 decree-law is now the primary federal AML statute in the UAE, supported by Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025 as its executive regulations.
Importantly, regulations, resolutions and circulars issued under the old 2018 law remain effective to the extent they do not conflict with the new decree-law, until replacement instruments are issued. Compliance teams should update policy references, templates and training material so that citations point to the 2025 law, while continuing to rely on subsidiary guidance that has not yet been superseded.
Legal Reference (UAE):
- Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, Article 41 — expressly repeals Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018 and any conflicting provisions.
- Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025 — issues the executive regulations of the new decree-law.
For more details, consult the full text of Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 or seek guidance from your AML compliance officer.