> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://tools.osintnewsletter.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://tools.osintnewsletter.com/osint-tools/open-sanctions.md).
# OpenSanctions
| **OpenSanctions** | **Quick Overview** |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| URL | |
| What it does | Aggregates hundreds of global sanctions, PEP, corporate, enforcement and watchlist datasets into one searchable platform. |
| How to use it | Search a person, company or organisation by name and review linked sanctions, ownership, affiliations and risk data. |
| Cost | Free for core platform. |
| Account required | No (basic searching). |
| Cookies | Minimal/none. |
| Ownership | OpenSanctions GmbH (Germany), founded by[ Friedrich Lindenberg](https://www.linkedin.com/in/friedrich-lindenberg-aaa617203/). |
| Use in Reporting | Useful for verifying whether individuals or organisations appear on official sanctions lists or other public risk databases. |
### What does OpenSanctions do?
OpenSanctions combines data from hundreds of official sources worldwide into a single searchable database. Rather than searching dozens of individual sanctions registers, you can search once and identify whether a person, company, vessel or organisation appears on sanctions lists, politically exposed persons (PEP) databases, enforcement lists, procurement exclusions, corporate ownership datasets or other public risk registers.
The platform standardises data from multiple jurisdictions, making cross-border investigations significantly faster and allowing analysts to identify connections that may otherwise be missed.
**The lowdown:** It can dramatically reduce the time spent checking multiple sanctions databases and can reveal links between individuals, companies, ownership structures and regulatory actions across different countries.
### How to Use:
**1. Enter the name of a person, company or organisation into the search bar and review any matching records, including sanctions listings, politically exposed person (PEP) status, ownership links, addresses, aliases and associated entities.**
**2. Follow the links to the original source dataset or issuing authority to verify the information and capture evidence for reporting.**
### Cost
* [ ] Free
* [x] Partially Free
* [ ] Paid
Free (core platform) with paid API and commercial data services available.
## Data Processing
### Account Required:
* [ ] Yes
* [x] No
No for basic searching.
### Cookies:
Minimal/none used during our site session on 7 July 2026.
### Use in Reporting
OpenSanctions is useful for:
* Verifying whether an individual or organisation appears on official sanctions or watchlists.
* Supporting due diligence by identifying Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) and associated risk indicators.
* Corroborating identities using aliases, dates of birth, addresses and other identifying information.
* Identifying corporate ownership links and relationships between entities across jurisdictions.
* Cross-referencing findings with original source authorities (e.g. OFAC, OFSI, EU or UN sanctions lists) before publication.
* Highlighting potential regulatory, financial or reputational risks within investigative reporting.
As a real-world example, OpenSanctions data was used to identify Cypriot legal and corporate service providers linked to sanctioned Russian oligarchs during the [Cyprus Confidential](https://www.icij.org/investigations/cyprus-confidential/leaked-data-journalism-methodology/) investigation.
| **Capabilities** | **Limitations** |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Aggregates hundreds of global sanctions and watchlists into one searchable platform. | Doesn’t replace checking the original issuing authority for legal/evidential purposes. |
| Searches individuals, companies, organisations, vessels, and other legal entities simultaneously. | Coverage depends on the availability and quality of public source data. |
| Identifies Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), relatives, and close associates. | Some records may contain duplicate entries or require manual interpretation. |
| Links entities through ownership, corporate relationships, aliases, and identifiers. | Updates are not always instantaneous after changes are made by source agencies. |
| Normalises data from multiple jurisdictions, making cross-border investigations easier. | Limited contextual information beyond what’s available in the original datasets. |
| Provides direct links back to the original source datasets for verification. | Advanced API access and commercial features require a paid subscription. |
### Summary
OpenSanctions is a powerful verification and enrichment tool within the OSINT workflow. However, whilst highly valuable for identifying potential red flags and relationships, findings should always be corroborated against the original issuing authority before being relied upon in reporting or decision-making.
### Ownership
OpenSanctions is developed and maintained by OpenSanctions GmbH, a German company focused on making global sanctions, corporate transparency and public accountability data more accessible for investigative, journalistic and compliance purposes. It was founded in 2015 by[ Friedrich Lindenberg.](https://www.linkedin.com/in/friedrich-lindenberg-aaa617203/)
### Ethical Considerations
* Treat sanctions and watchlist entries as indicators, not proof of criminality.
* Verify information using the original issuing authority before publication.
* Be aware that individuals with similar names may appear in multiple datasets.
* Consider the impact of outdated or revoked sanctions listings.
* Handle personally identifiable information responsibly and in accordance with applicable privacy laws.
* Avoid drawing conclusions based solely on a sanctions or PEP listing without additional corroborating evidence.
### Related Tools:
* [OpenCorporates](/osint-tools/opencorporates.md)
* [Companies House](/osint-tools/companies-house.md)
* OCCRP Aleph
* [EU Sanctions Map](/osint-tools/eu-sanctions-map.md)
* [LittleSis](/osint-tools/littlesis.md)
#### Sources