How to Register an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) License
An EMI license lets you issue electronic money and provide payment services — without needing a full banking license. Requirements vary meaningfully by country.
Capital requirements by country
- Estonia
- €350,000
- Lithuania
- €350,000
- Switzerland
- CHF 1,000,000
Steps to obtain an EMI license
Establish your legal entity
Register the appropriate company structure in your chosen country.
Meet the capital requirement
Fully paid and available for operational purposes — the figure varies significantly by country.
Prepare your documentation
Business plan, KYC/AML policies, risk management strategy, and operational/technological infrastructure overview.
Appoint qualified management
Relevant experience in financial services, payment systems, or technology, including a compliance officer.
Submit your application
To the relevant regulator, with all documentation and the application fee.
Await review and obtain your license
Background checks and business-model evaluation; once approved, maintain ongoing capital reserves and compliance.
Common questions
What can an EMI license actually do?
Issue electronic money for digital wallets, process payments, and conduct customer transactions — without holding a full banking license.
Why is Switzerland's capital requirement so much higher?
Switzerland's regulatory standards are generally higher than the EU baseline across all license types, not just EMI.
Country guides
Estonia · Lithuania · Switzerland
Why work with BIZ TRP
The capital requirement can differ by nearly 3x between countries — and choosing the wrong license type entirely (EMI when you actually needed PI, or vice versa) means redoing months of work. Getting the fit right from the start matters more than the headline figure.
- We confirm EMI is actually what your business needs. Not PI, not a full banking license — the license type that matches what you're actually building.
- We prepare your application. Business plan, KYC/AML policies, and operational infrastructure documentation, ready for submission.
- We confirm the current capital requirement. For your specific chosen country, before you commit funds.
Ready to apply for an EMI license?
BIZ TRP confirms the real capital requirement and application process for your chosen jurisdiction.
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