Swiss anti-money-laundering law
Adopted by Parliament on 26 September 2025, entering into force on 1 October 2026. What the revision means for Swiss financial intermediaries.
Source legislation
On 26 September 2025 the Swiss Parliament adopted two pieces of legislation: the new Federal Act on the Transparency of Legal Entities and the Identification of Beneficial Owners, and a partial revision of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA). On 12 June 2026 the Federal Council set both to enter into force on 1 October 2026.
Federal Council media release, 12 June 2026; Federal Council Dispatch, BBl 2024 1607.
For the first time, the Confederation maintains a central register of beneficial owners, operated by the Federal Office of Justice. Legal entities under Swiss law — with the exception of associations and foundations — together with certain foreign legal entities connected to Switzerland, must establish, verify and report their beneficial owners to the register. A beneficial owner is the natural person who ultimately holds at least 25 per cent of the capital or voting rights, or who otherwise controls the entity. The register is not public; access is limited to authorities, financial intermediaries, and advisers acting within their due-diligence duties.
Explanatory report on the Ordinance on the Transparency of Legal Entities, Federal Department of Finance, 12 June 2026; Art. 2a para. 3 AMLA, SR 955.0.
The partial revision of the Anti-Money Laundering Act brings certain advisory activities carrying an elevated money-laundering risk within its scope for the first time — in particular the formation and structuring of companies, foundations and trusts, and real-estate transactions. The newly covered advisers must identify their contracting parties and those parties' beneficial owners, join a self-regulatory organisation, and report suspicions to the Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS). The professional secrecy of lawyers and notaries is preserved. In addition, a threshold of 15,000 francs now applies to cash payments accepted by dealers in precious metals and precious stones.
Explanatory report, 12 June 2026; Federal Council Dispatch, BBl 2024 1607.