Malta’s Parliament has passed the National Interest (Enabling Powers) Act Revision, implementing the EU’s sanctions criminalisation harmonising directive (Directive (EU) 2024/1226) into its national law. The EU had sent Malta a ‘letter of formal notice’ due to its failure to implement the directive by 20 May 2025.

Article 9 of the Act says intentionally breaching EU or UN sanctions including by making funds available or failing to freeze assets belonging to a designated person is a criminal offence. Article 11 says a breach of Article 9 could lead to:

A fine ranging between €25,000-€5,000,000 or imprisonment of up to 12 years for natural persons (people);

A fine between 1-5% of global annual turnover for legal persons (entities), or where it is not possible to determine turnover, a fine ranging between €80,000-€10,000,000.

These amendments are in accordance with the requirements of the EU directive.