Flows of illicit money can damage the integrity, stability and reputation of the financial sector, and threaten the internal market of the Union as well as international development. Money laundering, terrorism financing and organised crime remain significant problems which should be addressed at Union level. In addition to further developing the criminal law approach at Union level, targeted and proportionate prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering and terrorist financing is indispensable and can produce complementary results. European Union Law constantly moves forward developing and implementing a comprehensive legal framework regarding the implications of money laundering, the different typologies through which it can appear in the financial sector and the proactive and retroactive measures to be taken by the member states.