Cash controls

Rules to be applied from 3 June 2021

Regulation (EU) 2018/1672 of the European Parliament and of the Council adopted on 23 October 2018 on controls on cash entering or leaving the Union is applicable from 3 June 2021 repealing Regulation (EC) No 1889/2005 as from that date.
The new Cash Controls Regulation will improve the existing system of controls on cash entering or leaving the EU as the latest developments in the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) international standards on combating money laundering and terrorism financing will be reflected in the EU legislation.
In practical terms, the new regulation extends the definition of cash to cover not only banknotes, coins and bearer negotiable instruments but also commodities used as highly-liquid stores of value such as gold. Cash sent by post, freight or courier shipment is also included in the scope of the Regulation.
Information exchange between competent authorities (in principle Customs Authorities) of the Member States and national Financial Intelligence Units (FIU) is improved. All competent authorities of the MS will use a common IT system to transmit the cash related data to the national Financial Intelligence Unit within a period of 15 days. • In addition, the new Regulation on cash controls will enable competent authorities to act on amounts lower than the declaration threshold of EUR 10,000, where there are indications of criminal activity.
In brief, any person entering or leaving the EU and carrying cash of a value of €10 000 or more has to declare it to the customs authorities. The declaration will be required irrespective of whether travellers are carrying the cash in person, in their luggage or means of transport. At the request of the authorities they will have to make it available to be checked.
If the cash is sent (entering or leaving the Union) by other means (“unaccompanied cash”), the relevant authorities will have the power to ask the sender, the recipient or a representative thereof to make a disclosure declaration. The authorities will be able to carry out controls on any consignments, packages or means of transport which may contain unaccompanied cash.

Cash controls - Existing rules


Who needs to declare? Any person entering or leaving the EU with €10 000 or more in cash.	What to declare? Cash is not only currency. There are other items which are considered cash.	Why this obligation? It is part of the EU strategy to combat money laundering and to counter the financing of terrorism.


What are the rules? If you plan to enter or leave the EU with € 10 000 or more in cash you must declare it to customs.	How to declare? Most Member States use a harmonized declaration form that should be used.	What if I don't declare? The cash can be detained or seized. National legislation sets penalties applicable in case of not declaring or falsely declaring.

The legislation Regulation (EC) No 1889/2005 of the European Parliament and the Council of 26 October 2005 on controls of cash entering or leaving the Community.	What happens to my data? Confidentiality of the data provided is guaranteed in order to protect your security hen carrying cash.	Leaflet and video on cash controls A leaflet provides information on the cash control rules in 15 widely spoken languages (6 EU and 9 non-EU languages).