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The EU identified high-risk third countries added to the ‘Beneficial Owners Registry’ page

On the ‘Beneficial Owners Registry’ page, we note whenever a particular country has been identified as a high-risk third country with strategic deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism regimes. This information is based on the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1675 of 14 July 2016 supplementing Directive (EU) 2015/849 of the European Parliament and of the Council by identifying high-risk third countries with strategic deficiencies. The last amendments to this regulation took effect on 29 January 2026.

The list of third-country jurisdictions which have strategic deficiencies in their anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism regimes that pose significant threats to the financial system of the European Union (‘high-risk third countries’) is divided into four categories:

  • High-risk third countries which have provided a written high-level political commitment to address the identified deficiencies and have developed an action plan with the Financial Action Task Force (‘FATF’).

These countries are: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bolivia, British Virgin Islands, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Monaco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, South Sudan, Syria, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen.

  • High-risk third countries which have provided a high-level political commitment to address the identified deficiencies, and have decided to seek technical assistance in the implementation of the FATF Action Plan, which are identified by FATF Public Statement.

This country is Iran.

  • High-risk third countries which present ongoing and substantial money-laundering and terrorist-financing risks, having repeatedly failed to address the identified deficiencies and which are identified by FATF Public Statement.

This country is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

  • High-risk third countries which are not identified as being subject to calls for action or increased monitoring by the FATF, but whose membership in that international standard-setter is suspended.

This country is the Russian Federation.