What is money laundering?
Article 2 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 (Anti-Money Laundering) says a person commits money laundering if they know, or there are sufficient indications or evidence to believe, that funds are the proceeds of a predicate offence, and they intentionally convert, transfer or carry out a transaction to conceal or disguise the illicit origin, conceal or disguise the true nature, source, location, movement or ownership, acquire, possess or use the proceeds on receipt, or assist the perpetrator of the predicate offence to evade punishment.
It is an independent crime. A conviction for the predicate offence is not required to prove the illegitimate source, and knowledge of the type of predicate offence is not required (Article 2(2) and (3)).
What are the penalties?
Imprisonment of one to ten years and a fine of AED 100,000 to AED 5,000,000, or the value of the criminal property if greater (Article 26(1)).
The penalty is temporary imprisonment and a fine of AED 1,000,000 to AED 10,000,000, or twice the value if greater, where the offender exploits position or professional influence, acts through a non-profit organisation or an organised criminal group, the predicate is a listed offence including drug offences, or in recidivism (Article 26(2)). An attempt carries the same penalty (Article 26(5)).
Is there any way to reduce the penalty?
Yes. The court may mitigate or exempt an offender who voluntarily gives the authorities information that leads to disclosure of the crimes, identification or arrest of perpetrators, proof against them or seizure of the criminal property (Article 26(6)).
That is a decision to take only with legal advice and as early as possible.
Can a company be liable?
Yes. A legal person is liable where the crime is committed in its name or for its account (Article 4), with a fine of AED 5,000,000 to AED 100,000,000 or the value of the criminal property if greater (Article 27(1)). The court may order dissolution and closure (Article 27(4)).
Tipping off, by warning another person about a suspicious transaction or that authorities are investigating, is separately punished with imprisonment and a fine of not less than AED 50,000, or either (Article 29(1)).
What should I do first?
Do not move or withdraw funds
It can look like concealment.
Collect proof of the source of funds
Contracts, salary, sale, inheritance.
Do not warn anyone about a report
Tipping off is an offence.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be convicted of the original crime?
No. The predicate conviction is not required (Article 2(3)).
What is the minimum penalty?
One year in prison and a fine of at least AED 100,000 (Article 26(1)).
Is attempt punished?
Yes, with the same penalty (Article 26(5)).
Can cooperating help?
The court may mitigate or exempt an offender who gives information that leads to disclosure or seizure (Article 26(6)).
Related guides
Money Laundering overview
The main points, the process and your first steps.
Read the overviewProceeds of Crime
How accounts and assets are suspended, frozen and seized in money laundering cases, how to challenge it and what confiscation covers.
Read the guideTerrorist Financing
How the law defines financing of terrorism and proliferation, the penalties and the effect on companies.
Read the guideSources
Source: Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing), official English text on the UAE Legislation portal, checked 9 October 2026. The portal lists the law as active, in force from 14 October 2025. The Arabic text prevails over translations.
This page is general information, not legal advice.