EU Plans to Downgrade Money-Laundering Risk Rating for Art Market

2026, November 1

European Union

The European Commission is considering lowering its assessment of money-laundering and terrorist-financing risks in the European art and antiques market from high to moderate. The proposed change follows an assessment that there is limited EU evidence directly connecting art thefts with these financial crimes. The proposal comes despite a series of high-profile museum robberies, including the 2025 Louvre jewellery theft, which renewed international scrutiny of security and financial transparency in the art market.

The proposal has attracted criticism from law-enforcement specialists and art-market experts, who argue that secrecy surrounding transactions, difficulties tracing ownership and the international resale of valuable objects make the sector vulnerable to financial crime. Europol representatives have questioned whether a lower risk classification adequately reflects these weaknesses. The Commission's assessment has not yet been finalised, and the debate could influence future European regulation of galleries, auction houses and art dealers.