What this rulebook is
The AML/CFT Rulebook of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) sets out the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist-financing obligations for the financial institutions it supervises, such as banks, exchange houses, finance companies, insurance firms and payment providers.
It is published as a web rulebook on the CBUAE site rather than as a single file. To make it easier to read offline and share internally, we have compiled the full section into one PDF. The Central Bank remains the source and the authority; our copy is a convenience, not an official publication.
What the rulebook contains
Federal Decree-Law No. (10) of 2025 on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism and illegal organisations, which is the primary law.
Cabinet Resolution No. (134) of 2025 containing the Executive Regulations, which set out how the law is applied in practice.
The CBUAE Procedures, together with the Board of Directors' decision that brought them into effect.
The AML/CFT guidance for licensed financial institutions, organised into Part I Overview, Part II Identification and Assessment of ML/FT Risks, Part III Mitigation of ML/FT Risks, Part IV Administration and Reporting, and Part V Appendices.
Specific guidance on suspicious transaction reporting, on implementing targeted financial sanctions, and annexes with red-flag indicators and goAML rules.
How to use it
Use the rulebook to check the exact wording of an obligation, to brief a compliance officer or MLRO, or to support an internal policy. The articles are numbered, so you can refer to a specific requirement directly.
Because rulebooks are amended, treat this PDF as a point-in-time copy. Before you rely on any text for a filing or a decision, confirm the current version on the CBUAE Rulebook site.
Who it applies to
This rulebook applies to institutions licensed and supervised by the Central Bank. Firms supervised by other UAE authorities, such as the DFSA, the ADGM FSRA, the SCA, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, the Ministry of Justice or the GCGRA, follow their own rulebooks. If you are unsure which authority supervises you, Adventant can help you confirm it.
General information only, not legal or compliance advice. Your obligations depend on your activities and regulator. Speak to Adventant about your specific situation.