As the Monaco Yacht Show approaches, Italy has taken a further step in implementing the European anti-money laundering package.
Italian Legislative Decree no. 122 of 10 June 2026, published on 8 July and effective from 23 July 2026, transposes several provisions of Directive (EU) 2024/1640, notably those relating to beneficial ownership transparency.
This development is particularly significant for the yachting sector, as Italy is home to some of the world’s leading shipyards.
It must also be considered alongside Regulation (EU) 2024/1624, applicable from 10 July 2027. The Regulation introduces a specific obligation for certain companies incorporated outside the European Union when acquiring a yacht intended for non-commercial use with a value of €7.5 million or more.
Before completing the acquisition, these companies will be required to disclose the identity of their ultimate beneficial owner to the relevant central register.
For purchasers using a Monaco company or another non-EU structure, UBO transparency will therefore become an important consideration from the initial structuring of the transaction through to closing.
This European development echoes the requirements already well established in Monaco, where beneficial ownership identification and due diligence obligations play a central role in yachting transactions.
Ahead of MYS 2026, the recent adoption of the Italian legislation sends a clear signal: in the superyacht sector, transparency surrounding ownership structures is progressively becoming an integral legal component of the transaction.