In the Financial Action Task Force's first assessment of a Western nation after placing more emphasis on how national frameworks against illicit finance work in practice, the intergovernmental group has given Belgium solid technical scores but low marks for efficacy.
On Tuesday, FATF concluded in a 309-page report on the group's three-week assessment in January and February that Belgium has the required laws and regulations in place to combat money laundering and other financial crimes, and thereby rated the country fully compliant or largely compliant with 33 of the group's 40 technical recommendations.
Belgium's true impact on financial crime proved less convincing, however, with FATF rating the country "moderate"—the second-lowest score—in nine of 11 outcomes of effectiveness, and "substantial"—the second-highest—in the remaining two after the evaluation.
"Belgium has demonstrated strong commitment, with important legislative and regulatory developments to lay the ground for greater effectiveness," FATF President Elisa de Anda Madrazo said Tuesday. "Further action is needed more broadly to put policies into practice."
- Topics: Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Finance of Terrorism, Terrorism Financing, Fraud
- Source: FATF
- Document Date: December 16, 2025
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