Integrity of the financial centre
A healthy financial centre is important for Switzerland, and it is actively involved at the international level in combating money laundering and terrorist financing.
Brief summary
Switzerland attaches great importance to a healthy financial centre and actively participates internationally in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing. Over the past few decades, Switzerland has gradually established a robust and comprehensive system for combating money laundering and terrorist financing that combines preventive measures with repressive ones.
Switzerland actively participates internationally in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing. In particular, it plays an active part in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The FATF regularly checks whether its member states are complying with the standards. Switzerland was evaluated for the fourth time in 2016. Although the FATF acknowledged the overall good quality of the Swiss system, it identified certain shortcomings and made corresponding recommendations.
The revised Anti-Money Laundering Act came into force on 1 January 2023. The revision implemented the key recommendations from the country report and improved Switzerland’s defences against money laundering and terrorist financing. Specifically, the revision introduced measures for financial intermediaries in the areas of beneficial ownership, the up-to-date nature of client data and reports of suspected money laundering. In addition, the transparency of associations and supervision and controls in the precious metals sector were strengthened.
The latest draft legislation on combating money laundering includes the introduction of a federal register of beneficial owners of legal entities, due diligence obligations for high-risk activities within the legal profession, and other measures necessary to combat money laundering and terrorist financing more effectively. The proposed measures comply with international standards.
Further information on the topic can be found on the website of the State Secretariat for International Finance SIF:
Press releases on the topic
Federal Council brings new anti-money laundering rules into force
During its meeting on 12 June 2026, the Federal Council decided on the entry into force of several pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. The revised Anti-Money Laundering Act and the new Act on the Transparency of Legal Persons and the Identification of Beneficial Owners will enter into force on 1 October 2026.
Federal Council approves strategy on combating money laundering and terrorist financing
During its meeting on 20 March 2026, the Federal Council approved the strategy on combating money laundering and terrorist financing. With this first-ever comprehensive overview, the Federal Council is strengthening the framework, which will continue to protect the integrity of the Swiss financial centre in years to come.
Federal Council launches consultation for ordinances on the transparency of legal entities and combating money laundering and terrorist financing
At its meeting on 15 October 2025, the Federal Council launched the consultation on draft legislation to combat money laundering. Under the proposed legislation details of the register of beneficial owners and the extension of the Anti-Money Laundering Act to cover certain consultancy activities will be defined at ordinance level. The consultation will last until 30 January 2026.
State Secretariat for International Finance SIF
Bundesgasse 3
Switzerland - 3003 Bern