Royal Decree 813/2026 strengthens anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing obligations.

Royal Decree 813/2026, which will enter into force on 28 October 2026, introduces a significant update to the framework for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF). The regulation strengthens customer identification and due diligence requirements, incorporates the use of the digital national identity card (DNI), expands obligations relating to non-face-to-face transactions and crypto-assets, and extends the document retention period to 10 years. It also establishes new risk assessment criteria and introduces measures aligned with the international standards of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

The reform also requires obliged entities to update their internal policies and procedures, incorporating specific controls on international financial sanctions, new reporting obligations to Sepblac (the Spanish Financial Intelligence Unit), and enhanced governance and control requirements. In addition, foundations and associations will be required to adopt additional traceability and control measures depending on their level of risk. This regulatory amendment constitutes a first step towards the future comprehensive reform of AML/CTF legislation, meaning that organisations should begin adapting immediately and prepare for further changes expected under the forthcoming law.

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