The Fourth Money Laundering Directive ((EU) 2015/849) (MLD4) is designed to strengthen the EU's defences against money laundering and terrorist financing, while also ensuring that the EU framework is aligned with the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) international anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) standards. MLD4 repealed and replaced the Third Money Laundering Directive (2005/60/EC) (MLD3) and the MLD3 implementing Directive (2006/70/EC). Member states were required to transpose MLD4 by 26 June 2017.

This note provides an overview of MLD4, including its scope and key provisions, and also tracks ongoing developments.