gc
nid 50847
Apr 16, 2026
apintea@vixio.com
Malta
Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit
gamblingcompliance
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2071 charsMalta's Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit Introduces Settlement Framework and Updates Enforcement Guidance
On April 1, 2026, Malta's Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) implemented significant amendments to its administrative penalty process through Legal Notice 82 and Legal Notice 83. These legislative changes grant the FIAU authority to enter into settlement agreements regarding administrative penalties and introduce out-of-court settlement mechanisms for cases with pending appeal proceedings.
The FIAU has updated its enforcement function webpage to reflect these developments, providing AML professionals with current information and practical compliance tools. Key updates include a newly published Enforcement Guide outlining how potential breaches are assessed, pursued and resolved, emphasising proportionality, consistency and compliance-focused outcomes. The Compliance Monitoring Committee (CMC) Governing Principles document explains the CMC's role in assessing cases, determining administrative measures and overseeing settlement processes. Additionally, the FIAU published policies governing the publication of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) administrative penalties and measures, and a Settlement Agreement Policy detailing the legal basis, objectives and principles for settlement arrangements. The FIAU website now includes a dedicated settlements section where summaries of settlement and out-of-court settlement agreements concluded with subject persons will be published in accordance with Article 13C of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
To support understanding of these updates, the FIAU is hosting an outreach training session on April 21, 2026, offering two identical half-day sessions (morning and afternoon). The course covers recent legislative changes, the Enforcement Guide, settlement processes and the FIAU's enforcement framework, with dedicated question-and-answer segments. The session has been accredited for three hours of structured continuing professional education qualifying as core competency under Accountancy Board accreditation rules. Registration is available for both sessions.
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1437 charsMaltese FIAU publishes enforcement guidance
On April 16, 2026, Malta's Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) published several pieces of guidance concerning enforcement following the publication of the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2026 in the official gazette.
The legislative change empowers the FIAU to enter into settlement agreements with obligated entities regarding administrative penalties and introduces out-of-court settlement mechanisms for cases with pending appeal proceedings.
To reflect this development, the FIAU:
Published an Enforcement guide outlining how potential breaches are assessed, pursued and resolved, emphasising proportionality, consistency and compliance-focused outcomes. The guide becomes effective on July 1, 2026.
Published a Settlement agreement policy detailing the legal basis, objectives and principles for settlement arrangements. The policy applies from April 1, 2026.
Updated the Compliance Monitoring Committee Governing Principles explaining the CMC's role in assessing cases, determining administrative measures and overseeing settlement processes.
Updated the Policies and Procedures on the Publication of AML/CFT Administrative Penalties and Measures outlining the criteria considered when deciding whether, how and when an enforcement outcome is published.
All AML professionals and compliance staff have been encouraged to familiarise themselves with the guidance outlined above.