Introduction
Cyprus has elevated its ultimate beneficial owner (UBO)
reporting status by implementing all of the mechanisms for the
creation, operation and maintenance of a UBO register. The UBO
register is a requirement emanating from the amended Fourth EU
Anti-money Laundering Directive (4AMLD). The 4AMLD was transposed
into national legislation on 3 April 2018 by the Prevention and
Suppression of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Law
(13(I)/2018), Article 61A(4)(a) of which specifically provides for
the introduction of a UBO register. According to a 21 December 2020
announcement by the Companies Registrar Department, as amended,
relevant entities must submit information on their UBOs for
inclusion in a newly created and centralised UBO register within
six months of 22 February 2021.