NEWS

On 24  June, representatives from European institutions and law enforcement agencies gathered in Brussels for a high-level discussion on financial crime, housing policies, and the role of anti-money laundering (AML) instruments in safeguarding the real estate sector. The event brought together experts from Europol, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), and national authorities to assess the current risks and policy responses.  CEPI was present with the Policy team and followed the discussion, highlighting the strong focus on practical cooperation and the need for more effective AML solutions in the real estate sector.   

The debate highlighted how the European housing market has become increasingly exposed to organised crime. Affordable housing and market stability are weakened by illicit financial flows, making AML rules and procedures a central pillar in protecting the integrity of the sector.  

Alexander Resch, Head of the Financial Crime Unit at Europol’s European Financial and Economic Crime Centre, outlined the evolving criminal landscape. Organised crime groups are linked to multiple sectors, including drug production, migrant smuggling, and cyber-enabled fraud. Real estate plays a dual role, serving both as operational infrastructure and as a key channel for laundering illicit proceeds.  

Criminal organisations rely on complex corporate structures, layered financial transactions, and professional intermediaries to conceal ownership. High-end real estate, including luxury villas and prestigious apartments, remains particularly attractive due to its capacity to preserve and grow value over time.  

Within this context, the EU AML/CFT framework imposes obligations on a broad range of actors linked to the real estate sector, including notaries, real estate agents, and financial intermediaries. Core AML instruments, such as Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), transaction monitoring, play a crucial role in identifying risks, ensuring transparency, and detecting illicit financial flows.  

However, participants stressed that the effectiveness of AML solutions depends heavily on enforcement capacity and access to data. Marius Bulancea, Head of Operations at EPPO, highlighted the rapid growth of fraud, particularly in relation to housing policies and public funds. Criminal networks operate on two fronts: misappropriating funds intended for construction or renovation, and reinvesting illicit proceeds in real estate markets, thereby distorting prices and reducing affordability.  

Several recent cases across Europe illustrate these dynamics, including fraudulent renovation projects, misuse of regional development funds, and organised schemes targeting energy-efficiency subsidies. These cases are increasingly complex and data-intensive, often involving vast quantities of documentation that challenge investigative capacities (a single case, according to EPPO, can involve up to a terabyte of documents). For instance, in Italy, two social housing officials and an accountant were accused of arranging for part of a €1.5 million social housing renovation project to exist only on paper, with the resulting funds allegedly being shared among those involved. Similarly, in the Czech Republic, two representatives of a public interest association were convicted of fraudulently obtaining €250,000 from the European Regional Development Fund for a project to convert a building into housing for the elderly by submitting false statements relating to the reconstruction project. A further example comes from France, where on the 8th of June, the Paris Criminal Court convicted seven people in a case involving approximately €1.13 million in fraud against the MaPrimeRénov' energy-renovation scheme. The court found that the fraud had been committed by an organised criminal group.  

National authorities also highlight common money laundering typologies within the real estate sector. These include the use of straw persons, price manipulation through over- or under-valuation, and rapid resale of properties. Investigators highlighted the importance of tracing the origin of funds, assessing the economic consistency of buyers, and strengthening international cooperation.  

A key takeaway from the discussion was the need to integrate AML considerations directly into housing policies. While the simplification of administrative procedures remains a priority at EU level, it must not create vulnerabilities that can be exploited by criminal actors. Transparency in ownership, improved data sharing, and harmonised regulatory approaches were identified as essential elements for strengthening the system.  

Finally, the discussion underlined the importance of asset recovery as a natural extension of AML efforts. Confiscated properties can be repurposed for social use, contributing to housing solutions and community development. This approach not only deprives criminal organisations of their resources but also reinforces public trust by transforming illicit gains into tangible societal benefits.  

Overall, the event reaffirmed that AML rules and procedures are indispensable in protecting the European real estate market. Strengthening their implementation will be key to ensuring transparent, resilient, and inclusive housing systems across Europe.   

One thing emerged clearly: real estate has become a preferred channel for laundering illicit proceeds, because property absorbs large sums, holds its value, and can be hidden behind complex ownership structures. This is why AML instruments, due diligence, transaction monitoring, transparency of ownership, are not a bureaucratic burden but a structural necessity: they make it harder for criminals to disguise where money really comes from. As long as illicit funds can flow easily into property, AML safeguards must keep pace, both to protect the integrity of the market and to defend affordable, fair housing for ordinary citizens.   

Esther Nicolas, Policy Assistant at CEPI’s Secretariat, attended on the 11th of June this satellite event for the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Festival week. 

The third edition of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Festival took place in Brussels from the 9th to the 13th of June. Affordable Housing, as the foundation for strong, inclusive societies was one of the key themes of this week’s discussions. While the Forum, Fair, and Fest had set up in Cinquantenaire, satellite events took place all over Brussels and Europe. 

CEPI attended “Hybrid Construction as a solution to mitigate climate and housing crises”, satellite debate organised by the European media Euractiv, in their offices opposite the European Commission headquarters. The event was sponsored by Metsä, a forest industry company from Finland, who brought along a model of hybrid construction (made of concrete and timber) weighing around 20 kilos. 

The panel discussion brought together Henrik Söderström from Metsä and a representant from one of their hybrid construction partners from Spain, Pablo Gonzalo Fernández Sánchez, Research Manager at Hormipresa. Also taking part in the discussion were Hélène Sibileau from Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE); Hein Bollens, Deputy Head of Uni at the DG GROW of the European Commission and a Member of the European Parliament, Borja Giménez Larraz, the Rapporteur of the HOUS Committee.  

The main purpose of the event was to present the hybrid constructions solutions developed by Metsä and its partners, while seeking policymaker endorsement of these innovations as key tools for addressing the housing and climate crisis. Hein Bollens from the EU Commission confirmed that hybrid construction was well aligned with the European Strategy for Housing Construction of the Affordable Housing Plan, and the EU’s objective of scaling up innovation. 

Quickly, the debate switched to a larger discussion about housing in Europe and the urgent need of increasing the stock of dwellings, availability and affordability. The topic has been at the heart of every conversation within the European institutions lately. The momentum is not slowing down with the imminent arrival of the European Affordable Housing Act and the first ever EU-Housing summit scheduled for later this year. The EU Commission is dedicated to keep the simplification process going and promote standards for innovative construction. While hybrid construction is a great solution to increase and speed up construction and renovation of housing units, the panellists called for more action at national level, where it is necessary to facilitate permitting, planning, and promote energy-efficient buildings. 

A recording of the event is available at this link and discussion highlights can be found here. 

On 24 March 2026, Immosurance, the first European sectorial AML solution built specifically for the real estate profession, was launched.
This tool is set to ease the reporting process for real estate professionals across Europe. Created with the newest AML rules in mind, it is developed taking into account all current European regulations as well as those coming into effect in July 2027.
Anti-money laundering is a crucial aspect of the work of real estate professionals. For each transaction carried out, professionals are expected to verify their clients' compliance with the legislation. The new rules are set to create an even stricter framework, adding a layer of internal checks to ensure that each professional is keeping up with regulatory requirements.
Immosurance was designed to make compliance less stressful and more structured, combining CEPI's real estate expertise with the developer Optimasys' technical knowledge.
Discover more about the tool and contact us as [email protected]

In this interview Jan Borůvka, CEPI President, explains the current trends in real estate markets in the European Union countries and highlights the work of CEPI in this context. 

Read the full interview. 

The MMCEPI Real Estate Quality Label is a reality! On 18 February, the launch ceremony of the MMCEPI label was held in Brussels, in the presence of many CEPI members and with the kind participation of Mrs Vaidere and Mr Maran, members of the European Parliament, who honoured us with their presence. 

 

The conference was a resounding success, demonstrating not only the strength of the leading European Real Estate family, but also the collective enthusiasm for this unique initiative. 

 

The MMCEPI label is characterised by its ambition to guarantee standards of excellence in terms of efficiency, sustainability, and quality. It is a true mark of confidence for professionals and consumers alike, designed to highlight exemplary real estate initiatives and encourage best practices in the sector.

 

Event speakers underlined the importance of cooperation between the various public and private stakeholders to ensure on-going credibility and sustainability of the label. They also highlighted the promising prospects offered by this new quality label for structuring and strengthening the competitiveness of the sector, while meeting growing expectations in terms of quality and innovation.

 

In conclusion, this day marked a decisive stage in the further development of the united European Real Estate family. The prestigious setting of De Warande helped to make this a memorable event, full of hope for the future of our sector.

 

We are pleased to announce the release of the new edition of CEPI’s report, “The Regulatory Situation of Real Estate Professions across Europe” ,an in-depth analysis of European real estate sector regulations. Exclusively available to CEPI members, this report is a valuable resource for understanding the evolving regulatory landscape impacting the real estate professions.

The 2024 edition offers country-by-country insights and examines emerging regulatory trends that shape the real estate profession worldwide, together with expert contributions on the development of Multiple Listing Services (MLS) in Europe and insights into global regulations, including those in the United States, Canada and Mexico.  

CEPI members can now access this year's edition to stay informed and navigate effectively throught the latest industry standards.

 

Following the re-appointment of European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, we are happy to be able to shed some light on the key political guidelines she has in mind for her new team of Commissioners.

Critical to underline for our sector is the intended appointment of a Housing Commissioner that should oversee a European Affordable Housing Plan, which includes the establishment of a pan-European investment platform dedicated to affordable and sustainable housing solutions. 

Other guidelines include:

- The proposition of a new EU-wide legal status to help innovative companies to grow;

- Renewal of the inter-institutional agreement on simplification and better law making;

- Reduction of energy bills through the implementation of a Clean Industrial Deal ;

- An Artificial Intelligence Strategy for industrial advancement;

- The establishment of a Union of skills focusing on investment, adult and lifelong learning, skill retention and the recognition of different types of training to enable people to work across the EU ;

- The implementation of a Quality Jobs Roadmap which should support fair wages, good working conditions, training and fair job transitions for workers and self-employed people;

- Roll-out of the Social Climate Fund in order to support the development of an affordable and energy-efficient housing.

You can find more details about these guidelines through this LINK.