Enforcement Without Warning
The Central Bank of Syria said it has ended the warning period for violations of the law governing the money-exchange and money-transfer professions and will begin applying legal measures against offenders on Sunday, 18 October 2026, without any further notice.
The bank described the step as a continuation of its work, alongside the Ministry of Interior, to bring exchange and transfer activity under tighter regulation and to reinforce compliance with the rules that govern it.
Licensing Rule Restated
Practicing either profession requires a formal license from the Central Bank. The bank said that anyone conducting exchange or transfer business without one is exposed to the penalties set out in Article 25 of Law No. 24 of 2006 and its amendments.
The measure applies to every unlicensed operator, whether or not written warnings were previously issued to them, and the bank said no new grace periods would be granted.
755 Establishments Warned
On 10 October 2026, the Central Bank said it had issued 755 warnings to shops and businesses carrying out exchange and transfer work without a license. The warnings followed inspection rounds conducted with the Ministry of Interior in several governorates.
The coming enforcement moves the campaign from notice to prosecution for those who did not regularize their status.
Nationwide Referrals
The bank said judicial officers, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior, will document unlicensed exchange and transfer activity in all Syrian governorates.
Cases will be recorded and referred to the competent courts in line with the legal procedures in force.
Guidance to the Public
The Central Bank urged affected businesses to comply fully with the law and to halt any exchange or transfer activity conducted without authorization.
It also called on citizens to deal only with licensed companies and offices, saying this would help protect their money, reduce the risk of fraud and illicit financial activity, and support the integrity of transactions in the banking and monetary sector.