With the revision of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) and the introduction of the new Transparency Register, Switzerland is tightening its regulations to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. The new provisions will gradually come into force starting in autumn 2026.
The Timeline
- October 1, 2026: Entry into force of the revised Anti-Money Laundering Act
- January 1, 2027: Entry into force of further ordinances and FINMA requirements
Who is affected by the changes?
The Anti-Money Laundering Act will continue not to apply to all companies in Switzerland. It primarily affects individuals and companies carrying out activities associated with an increased risk of money laundering.
The following areas, among others, will receive new or increased attention:
- Provision of registered office services
- Certain board of directors mandates
- Establishment and administration of holding companies or domiciliary companies
- Certain real estate transactions
- Structuring and advisory mandates
- Cryptocurrency-related services
As a result, traditional fiduciary services may also become subject to the new regulations in the future.
What Obligations Does This Create?
Companies and fiduciaries subject to the Anti-Money Laundering Act must, in particular:
- Identify and verify beneficial owners through Know Your Customer procedures
- Conduct and document risk assessments
- Continuously monitor business relationships
- Establish internal policies and control mechanisms
- Fulfil reporting and documentation obligations
Depending on the activity, affiliation with a self-regulatory organisation may also be required.
New Transparency Register
A central element of the revision is the introduction of a federal transparency register.
In the future, many companies will be required to:
- Identify their beneficial owners
- Report them to the register
- Continuously update any changes
- Retain the relevant supporting documentation
This will significantly increase the requirements relating to transparency and corporate documentation.
What Companies Should Already Review Today
It is already advisable to:
- Review services for potential relevance under the Anti-Money Laundering Act
- Analyse existing risk-management and control processes
- Update documentation procedures
- Clearly define internal responsibilities
- Raise employee awareness at an early stage
Preparing in good time will make
What Matters Now
The 2026 revision of the Anti-Money Laundering Act will introduce additional regulatory requirements, particularly for fiduciaries, advisers, and companies with more complex structures. Companies that monitor developments early and assess the potential impact on their own business can prepare for the new requirements in good time.
Do You Have Any Questions?
The practical implementation of the new regulations will be further clarified in the coming months. At the same time, the planned transparency register will affect many companies directly for the first time.
Should you have any questions about the planned changes or the Transparency Register, we would be happy to assist you.
