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Politically Exposed Person (PEP)
Updated over a year ago

What makes me a Politically Exposed Person (PEP)?

A Politically Exposed Person (PEP) is any natural person who is or who has held a high-ranking public position at an international, European, or national level.

Persons holding or who have held a public position of comparable political importance below the national level are also considered PEPs.

The individual is still considered a PEP for one year following the relinquishment of their public function.

Family members (spouses, children, and their spouses, parents) and known close associates of a PEP (e.g. business associates) are also considered to be PEPs.

The following positions qualify for PEP status (non-exhaustive):

  • Heads of state, heads of government, ministers, members of the European Commission, deputy ministers, and assistant ministers

  • Members of parliament or similar legislative organs

  • Members of the executive committees of political parties

  • Members of supreme courts, constitutional courts, or other high-level judicial bodies

  • Members of the boards of audit courts and boards of central banks

  • High-ranking diplomats

  • Members of the administrative, management or supervisory bodies of state-owned enterprises

  • Directors, deputy directors, members of the governing board or other heads of staff with a comparable function in an international or European intergovernmental organization.

See the GWG for a legal definition.

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