An end to high cash payments in Germany from 2026. The EU decides to cap cash payments at 10,000 euros.

In the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing, the European Union has decided on a uniform cash limit of 10,000 euros for all member states. The law still has to be formally approved by the EU member states, but is expected to come into force in mid-2026. From 2026, cash payments over 10,000 euros will be prohibited in the EU member states. For amounts of 3,000 euros or more, retailers will then have to record the buyer's data in order to be able to trace transactions at a later date.

This means a major change for Germany. Previously, there was no limit on cash payments in Germany. For cash payments over 10,000 euros, it was only necessary to provide proof of identity and record where the money came from. This is now changing as a result of the EU decision.

The bill gives the new financial intelligence units created under AMLA more powers to analyze and detect cases of money laundering and terrorist financing and to identify and suspend suspicious transaction patterns sooner.

In addition to banks and casinos, the law will also hit dealers of luxury goods such as luxury cars, private aircraft and ships as well as providers of crypto assets hard in future. These are now obliged to check their customers above certain sums and report suspicious activities.

The law should also explicitly include soccer clubs. Specifically, according to the agreement, the new law will also apply to financially strong soccer clubs such as FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund from 2029. According to the new law, clubs will be obliged to verify the identity of their business partners from 2029 and report suspicious transactions that take place in the course of player transfers or sponsorship contracts to the FIU in order to prevent money laundering. With its billion-dollar business and investors from third countries, professional soccer is considered one of the biggest factors in money laundering in Europe. Millions are often paid to player consultants and agencies without knowing where the money originates.

Most consumers will not notice much of this cash limit in everyday life, as cash payments of this amount are rare.

Sales from private individuals to private individuals are excluded from this regulation. The new EU cash limit only applies to traders and companies. The EU law states: "The regulation only applies to natural and legal persons within the EU who carry out a registered activity".

CURENTIS is continuing to monitor this issue and will report on the new legislative decision as soon as the EU member states approve the cash cap.