HISTORY

In 2000 France, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and United Kingdom started to develop a demonstration model that became operational in 2002. At that time Belgium and Spain were also connected to FIU.NET.

In 2003 another seven FIUs joined FIU.NET during the PHARE Project. One year later, in 2004, DG MARKT of the European Commission financed the development and expansion of FIU.NET. In 2005 Germany and Finland were connected to FIU.NET.

In 2006 the Ministry of Justice of The Netherlands financed FIU.NET, awaiting the upcoming European Commission Grant. In 2007 DG JLS granted the development and expansion of FIU.NET for two years (November 1st 2007 till November 1st 2009). To achieve its goals, the FIU.NET Bureau received a 2,5 million euro budget, existing of contributions from the European Commission, Partners and connected FIUs.

Also for the upcoming two years (November 1st 2009 till November 1st 2011) the Ministry of Justice has submitted a proposal to the Head of the Financial support – Security Unit of DG JLS for a project aiming improving of the effectiveness of the EU anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing effort by developing a computerised system for enhanced co-operation and exchange of financial information between the Financial Intelligence Units (FIU) of all Member States.”

Now 2010, 20 FIUs in the European Union are connected to one another via FIU.NET and six are in the process of getting connected. One FIU is still anticipating a definite decision.