One of the pillars of the European Union's legislation to combat money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism is Directive (EU) 2015/849. According to this Directive, banks and other gatekeepers are required to apply enhanced vigilance in business relationships and transactions involving high-risk third countries. The types of enhanced vigilance requirements are basically extra checks and control measures which are defined in article 18a of the Directive.
New delegated act on high-risk third countries
On 18 August 2023, the European Commission adopted a new Delegated Regulation in relation to third countries which have strategic deficiencies in their AML/CFT regimes that pose significant threats to the financial system of the Union ('high-risk third countries'). Identification of such countries is a legal requirement stemming from Article 9 of Directive (EU) 2015/849 (4th anti-money laundering Directive) and aiming at protecting the Union financial system and the proper functioning of the internal market. The Delegated Regulation amends Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1675.
The following jurisdictions are identified as having strategic deficiencies in their AML/CFT regimes:
High-risk third country | Date of entry into force |
---|---|
Afghanistan | 23 September 2016 |
Barbados | 1 October 2020 |
Burkina Faso | 13 March 2022 |
Cameroon | 18 October 2023 |
Cayman Islands | 13 March 2022 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo | 16 March 2023 |
Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) | 23 September 2016 |
Gibraltar | 16 March 2023 |
Haiti | 13 March 2022 |
Iran | 23 September 2016 |
Jamaica | 1 October 2020 |
Jordan | 13 March 2022 |
Mali | 13 March 2022 |
Mozambique | 16 March 2023 |
Myanmar | 1 October 2020 |
Nigeria | 16 July 2023 |
Panama | 1 October 2020 |
Philippines | 13 March 2022 |
Senegal | 13 March 2022 |
South Africa | 16 July 2023 |
South Sudan | 13 March 2022 |
Syria | 23 September 2016 |
Tanzania | 16 March 2023 |
Trinidad and Tobago | 6 March 2018 |
Uganda | 23 September 2016 |
United Arab Emirates | 16 March 2023 |
Vanuatu | 23 September 2016 |
Vietnam | 18 October 2023 |
Yemen | 23 September 2016 |
A consolidated version of the EU list is available (with only measures that already entered into force).
Revised EU methodology for the identification of high-risk third countries
The Commission has also published a revised methodology for the identification of high-risk third countries. This methodology ensures that a robust, objective and transparent process is applied. The objective is to identify jurisdictions which have strategic deficiencies in their national AML/CFT regimes which pose significant threats to the financial system of the Union and hence the proper functioning of the internal market. Once identified, the Commission adopts delegated acts listing these jurisdictions.
This methodology was based following the adoption of a Roadmap.
The methodology describes the main steps, assessment criteria and follow-up.
The methodology provides that the Commission will consider FATF lists as a starting point and complement this by an autonomous assessment of additional countries using the following approach:
- identify the risk profile and the level of threat to which the country is exposed
- assess the legal framework and its effective application in 8 key areas – by analysing the countries measures on
- criminalisation of money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism
- customer due diligence requirements, record keeping and reporting of suspicious transactions in the financial sector
- the same requirements in the non-financial sector
- the existence of dissuasive, proportionate and effective sanctions in case of breaches
- the powers and procedures of competent authorities
- their practice in international cooperation
- the availability and exchange of information on beneficial ownership of legal persons and legal arrangements
- implementation of targeted financial sanctions

The methodology was revised to ensure an increased engagement with third countries by
- consulting third countries on preliminary findings
- drafting country-specific “EU benchmarks” to address each country’s concerns (identified on a preliminary basis) in relation to the criteria set by the Anti-Money Laundering Directive
- seeking third countries’ commitment to implement specific corrective measures before a listing is considered
- A deadline of 12 months would be given to third countries taking commitments to address concerns
A listing occurs in case jurisdictions are not cooperative (i.e. refusing to express a commitment) or jurisdictions fail to implement the benchmarks within the agreed period. In case there is an overriding level of risk that needs to be mitigated and emergency situations, the Commission reserves the possibility to proceed immediately with identifying strategic deficiencies on the basis of the anti-money laundering Directive.
Here is an overview of the engagement approach with third countries based on an autonomous assessment.
Step-by-step implementation of the methodology
The following timeline displays the implementation of the methodology to identify high-risk third countries.
- 2017Stage 1: Designing Phase
- Preparation of a new methodology
- International engagement
- Engagement with the European Parliament and the Member States
- 22 June 2018Adoption of the first methodology for identifying high risk third countries
- 2018Stage 2: Initial scoping/selection phase
- Pre-assessment of all third countries based on economic and socio-political criteria
- Identification of Priority 1 (to be assessed by end of 2018) and Priority 2 (to be assessed progressively by 2025) countries
- Publication of results of selection phase on 13 November 2018
- 31 December 2018Stage 3: Assessment Phase – Priority 1 countries
- Assessment of countries that have been identified as Priority 1 countries based on listing criteria using various information sources
- 13 February 2019Adoption of new EU Delegated Act on high-risk third countries (based on first methodology) - rejected
- 7 May 2020
- 31 December 2025Stage 4: Assessment Phase – Priority 2 countries and follow up
- Gradual assessment of remaining countries
- Follow-up of countries listed following stage 3
- Monitoring of reviewed countries
Objectives of the list on high-risk third countries
The objectives of the list can be subdivided into three principle goals:

The listing process
The listing process follows a staged approach that can be divided into four parts:

Planning of assessment
The Commission carried out a pre-assessment to determine relevant countries to be assessed and the level of priority, in addition to those already listed by the Financial Action Task Force. Countries are considered relevant for the EU financial system in case they meet any of the following non-cumulative criteria:
- a country is identified by the European External Action Service or by Europol as having a systemic impact on the integrity of the EU financial system
- a country was reviewed as an international offshore financial centres by the International Monetary Fund
- a country is considered as economically relevant based on the strength of the economic ties with the EU and the magnitude of its financial sector
On this basis, the Commission identified 132 jurisdictions so far that will be further analyzed according to its methodology over the period 2018-2025. The list of 132 countries included in the scope.
With regard to the level of priority:
- the Commission reviews as a matter of priority a first group of 54 jurisdiction (Priority 1 countries). The assessment is an ongoing exercise; hence any country will be reassessed when new relevant information sources become available
- the other jurisdictions (Priority 2 countries) will be assessed successively until 2025
Evolution of the EU list on high-risk third countries
Based on Directive (EU) 2015/849 and the Commission’s power of adopting delegated acts regarding high-risk third countries, the Commission adopted the following delegated acts:
- 28 September 2023
- 26 June 2023
Publication of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1219 amending the EU list.
- 24 February 2023
Publication of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/410 amending the EU list.
- 21 February 2022
Publication of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/229 amending the EU list.
- 7 December 2020
Publication of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/37 amending the EU list.
- 7 May 2020
Revised methodology for identifying high risk third countries
- FATF lists as a baseline/ and increased synergies with FATF listing process
- additional countries based on EU own assessment based on increased engagement
- Enhanced consultation of Member States’ experts
Publication of Delegated Regulation (EU) amending the EU list
- 27 July 2018
Publication of the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/1467 amending the EU list.
- 22 June 2018
First methodology for identifying high risk third countries
- FATF lists as a baseline
- additional countries based on EU own assessment
- 13 December 2017
Publication of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/212 amending the EU list.
- 27 October 2017
Publication of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/105 amending the EU list.
- 14 July 2016
First EU list – based on FATF lists (Delegated Regulation (EU) 1675/2016).
Documents
Related links
FATF
The Commission is a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the main international body concerned with combating money laundering, the financing of terrorism and other threats to the integrity of the international financial system.
MONEYVAL
The Commission is an observer in Moneyval – the Council of Europe body assessing compliance with AML/CFT standards.
EGMONT
The Commission is an observer at the Egmont Group, an international organisation that provides financial intelligence units with a platform for the secure exchange of expertise and financial intelligence to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and associated predicate offences.