Among other measures designed to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, the 4th Money Laundering Directive requires the EU member states to set up registers of the ultimate beneficial owners of legal entities. It was left up to the individual member states how to implement the directive, and in doing so, member states have taken different approaches.
In order to give an initial overview, CMS has summarized the regulations in selected member states. Of particular relevance to shareholders are those countries in which direct and indirect shareholders have an active obligation to make any necessary notification.
