Act XXXV of 2025, entered into force on 14 November 2025, establishes the legal framework enabling Malta to implement restrictive measures in pursuit of national and international interests. It transposes and implements three EU directives and regulations: (1) EU Directive 2024/1226 on criminal and administrative penalties for breach of EU restrictive measures, amending Directive 2018/1673; (2) EU Regulation 2024/886 on instant credit transfers in euros, amending Regulations 260/2012 and 2021/1230 and Directives 98/26/EC and 2015/2366; and (3) EU Regulation 2023/1113 on information accompanying fund transfers and certain crypto-assets, amending Directive 2015/849. The Act applies to Maltese legal persons, entities, bodies registered in Malta, Maltese residents, Maltese citizens wherever located, and vessels, aircraft and transport means registered in or belonging to Malta. The Minister responsible for foreign affairs is empowered to make regulations implementing UN Security Council resolutions, EU restrictive measures, and international treaties without using armed force, and may unilaterally impose domestic restrictive measures (embargoes, travel bans) when national or international interests require. Key obligations include: freezing of funds and economic resources of designated persons/entities, prohibition on making funds available to designated persons (subject to licensing exceptions), investigation and confiscation of frozen assets, and application of relevant criminal and anti-money laundering law provisions. A Sanctions Monitoring Board (Bord ta' Sorveljanza fuq Sanzjonijiet) established under Article 15 advises the Minister on imposing domestic measures, and an Appeals Tribunal for Sanctions Implementation (established under Article 20) provides redress. The Act defines 'funds,' 'economic resources,' 'freeze,' 'designated persons/entities,' and 'proliferation financing,' and includes crypto-assets within the scope of financial assets subject to freeze orders. Regulations must be published within reasonable time after Board recommendation.

Act on Powers to Make Regulations in the National Interest (Act XXXV of 2025)