Upcoming Corporate changes to the UK Anti Money Laundering Regime - The Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2026

The Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (the “2026 Regulations”)

Various types of business undertaken by companies are subject to the anti-money laundering regime in the UK (“AMLR”). 

The 2026 Regulations were laid before Parliament on 25 March 2026, and they are expected to come into effect in June/July 2026. They introduce a number of targeted reforms to enhance the effectiveness of AMLR.  The rules were last amended in 2025 (with effect from 14 May 2025).  

Nature and scope of the changes

These AMLR changes focus on updating existing rules rather than replacing them, closing regulatory loopholes, and improving proportionality for companies. The aim is to improve risk-based approaches and reduce unnecessary over-compliance. The updated anti money laundering templates - Policy, Risk Assessment and ID Checklist - are designed for low risk, unregulated businesses.

In contrast to the 2025 changes, the changes being made by the 2026 Regulations only have a minor impact on companies operating unregulated businesses. They will not face a completely new regime—but they will need to fine-tune their AML controls, especially as to:

• when and how they carry out due diligence (The 2026 Regulations introduce a more refined approach to enhanced due diligence.)
• how they assess risk (The 2026 Regulations introduce a more genuinely risk-based approach.) 
• how they manage client accounts
• audit trails, record keeping, document retention,
• responding to information requests (from banks or other third parties)  

In short: there will be less “box-ticking”  under the 2026 Regulations and, instead, more emphasis on demonstrable risk management and more targeted compliance. It will however require more work operationally.

What this means for AMLR-related Simply Docs templates and documents

We have reviewed all of our AMLR-related companies templates and other documents and made minor updates as necessary. Additional updates specifically for estate agencies and lettings agencies should be viewed at May Property Newsletter.