Switzerland's Federal Council has opened a consultation on draft implementing ordinances intended to strengthen the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing, including detailed rules for a new beneficial owner transparency register and for bringing certain consultancy activities within the scope of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA). The consultation runs until 30 January 2026. Following Parliament’s adoption of the Federal Act on the Transparency of Legal Entities and the Identification of Beneficial Owners (LETA) and a revised AMLA, the proposals would establish a centralised federal register of beneficial owners for legal entities, maintained by the Federal Department of Justice and Police, with an audit unit at the Federal Department of Finance responsible for checking the accuracy, completeness and topicality of the information. Access would be granted to certain authorities and to people and entities subject to the AMLA. The draft ordinance on transparency would specify the information companies must collect and report, define terms in greater detail and set out reporting procedures. Amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Ordinance would further specify covered consultancy services, including those linked to real estate transactions and the establishment and structure of legal entities, along with supervision and new rules intended to simplify information exchange between authorities; other related ordinances, including the Ordinance on the Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland, would also be updated. The package is scheduled to enter into force in the second half of 2026, to support inclusion of the measures in Switzerland’s next Financial Action Task Force mutual evaluation.
Federal Department of Finance (Switzerland) 2025-10-15
Switzerland's Federal Council launches consultation on beneficial owner transparency register and extension of the Anti-Money Laundering Act to consultancy services
Switzerland's Federal Council has initiated a consultation on draft ordinances to enhance anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures, including a new beneficial owner transparency register. The proposals follow the adoption of the Federal Act on the Transparency of Legal Entities and the Identification of Beneficial Owners and a revised Anti-Money Laundering Act, aiming to establish a centralised register and specify consultancy services under the AMLA. Implementation is set for the second half of 2026, aligning with Switzerland's next Financial Action Task Force evaluation.