Planning for 2027 should separate enacted measures from policy work that may evolve. Two developments merit attention: implementation of the revised Swiss anti-money laundering framework and a Federal Department of Finance review aimed at improving the efficiency of financial-market regulation.
Confirmed: new AML measures from October 2026
The Federal Council announced that the revised Anti-Money Laundering Act and the new transparency legislation for legal persons enter into force on 1 October 2026, with limited exceptions. The measures include a federal register of beneficial owners and duties for certain higher-risk advisory activities. Transition arrangements and implementing details should be checked against each company’s facts.
2027–2028: effectiveness will be tested
The official implementation timetable is intended to allow Switzerland’s measures to be assessed during the next FATF country evaluation in 2027–2028. Businesses should expect greater attention to the quality of beneficial-ownership information and evidence that AML controls work in practice.
Project: review of financial-market regulation
The Federal Department of Finance has established an external working group to examine administrative burdens, duplication and risk-appropriate regulation. Its analysis is intended to feed into a report to the Federal Council by the end of 2027. This is a review process, not a confirmed legislative change.
Practical preparation now
Map beneficial owners and controlling persons, review how changes are captured, update client and entity records, identify potentially affected advisory services and maintain a regulatory change log. Avoid redesigning the entire framework around proposals until official texts and dates are confirmed.
| Development | Status | Planning response |
|---|---|---|
| Revised AMLA and transparency legislation | Entry into force announced for 1 October 2026, with stated exceptions | Confirm applicability, owners, data and transition deadlines |
| FATF evaluation | Expected during 2027–2028 | Test effectiveness and evidence, not only policy wording |
| FDF optimisation review | Recommendations/report expected by end-2027 | Monitor official work; do not treat proposals as law |