AMLA 2026: What Changes for Greek Professionals — Accountants, Lawyers, Consultants
2026 is a landmark year for European AML compliance: the new AMLA authority assumes direct supervisory powers. What does this mean for Greek professionals?
What Is AMLA?
AMLA (Anti-Money Laundering Authority) is the new European Authority for the prevention of money laundering, established by Regulation (EU) 2024/1620. AMLA is the central piece of the new European AML package (AMLA Package), which also includes: • New AML Regulation (AMLR) — rules directly applicable throughout the EU • New AML Directive (AMLD6) — replacing AMLD4 and AMLD5 AMLA is headquartered in Frankfurt, with full operation from early 2026.
What Changes for Obliged Professionals?
The new AMLR (AML Regulation) extends and tightens obligations for "designated non-financial businesses and professions" (DNFBPs) — which include accountants, lawyers and consultants. Key changes: New obliged entity categories: Crypto-asset service providers (CASPs), online gambling operators. Strengthened UBO checks: Stricter documentation of ownership chains. Direct application: The Regulation (unlike the Directive) applies directly, without transposition into national law. Higher penalties: EU-wide harmonisation of sanctions — maximum fines up to €10,000,000 or 10% of turnover.
New Risk Assessment Rules
The AMLR introduces a unified European Risk Assessment that will replace national ones — with stricter criteria for: Third-country high-risk lists: The country list will be updated more frequently and will be binding for all member states. New high-risk categories: New categories requiring EDD have been added, including transactions with companies in tax havens. Continuous monitoring: Stricter requirements for ongoing monitoring, particularly for medium and high-risk clients. File documentation: Every client file must document how the European Risk Assessment was applied.
How to Prepare in Advance
Timeline: The new AMLR entered into force in July 2024 and is being phased in until early 2027. However, AMLA begins supervision as early as 2026. Preparation steps: Step 1: Review whether your AML policies and procedures are up to date with the new rules. Step 2: Revise your risk-scoring criteria for new high-risk categories. Step 3: Ensure your records are complete and immediately retrievable — the new "immediate access" requirements are stricter. Step 4: Monitor the update of national law (the new AMLD6 will be transposed by 2027). Step 5: Train yourself or use dedicated software that updates automatically with new requirements.