Serbia's Anti-Money Laundering Law: Penalties for Violations and Economic Offenses

Serbia's efforts to combat money laundering and terrorism financing are primarily governed by two key laws: the Criminal Code and the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism. The Criminal Code addresses the criminal offenses themselves, including terrorism, terrorism financing, and money laundering, with penalties that can include life imprisonment. International agreements also bolster Serbia's stance in this area.

The Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism, enacted in 2017 and subsequently amended, establishes preventive and punitive measures to detect and disrupt illicit financial flows. This law, supported by nine subordinate legal acts, mandates that financial institutions, as well as non-financial sector entities like lawyers, notaries, real estate agents, and virtual currency providers, report suspicious transactions.

Last year, Serbian entities reported a significant increase in suspicious activities. The Administration for the Prevention of Money Laundering received 2,572 reports, with a substantial portion related to new cases. Banks were the most active reporters, submitting 1,579 reports, followed by payment institutions (369) and notaries (191). Other entities, including real estate agents and gambling operators, also contributed to the reports.

These diligent reporting mechanisms have proven effective. The total value of reported suspicious transactions reached 294 million euros in 2025. Crucially, thanks to the timely reactions of those obligated under the law, 884 million euros of illicit money were prevented from entering the legal economy. The Administration also issued 5,741 requests for additional data to aid its analyses, underscoring a proactive approach to financial crime prevention.