EU Directive (EU) 2018/1673 on combating money laundering by criminal law

Directive (EU) 2018/1673 sets minimum rules on the definition of criminal offences and sanctions for money laundering in the European Union. It defines the laundering conduct Member States must make punishable, including self-laundering, lists the categories of predicate offences, makes aiding, abetting, inciting and attempt punishable, sets a maximum term of imprisonment of at least four years, provides for the liability of legal persons and the sanctions on them, and sets rules on aggravating circumstances, freezing and confiscation, jurisdiction and investigative tools. It is the criminal-law counterpart of the preventive anti-money laundering rules and was not replaced by Directive (EU) 2024/1640. It comprises 20 controls organised across 16 domains, and applies in the European Union.