How to Get a Banking or Fintech License in Switzerland
Switzerland's FINMA regulates Banking, Securities Firm, Financial Intermediary, and Fintech/EMI licenses, with capital requirements reflecting the country's higher regulatory standards.
BIZ TRP confirms which license type and capital requirement your business actually needs before you commit to anything.
At a glance
- Entity
- GmbH (Sàrl)
- Corporate tax
- ~11.9–21% combined
- Authority
- Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA)
- Banking license capital
- CHF 10,000,000
- EMI license capital
- CHF 1,000,000
- PI license capital
- Ask us for the current figure
What you need
- A registered legal entity in the country Required
- A qualified management team with relevant finance, technology, and compliance experience Required
- Robust KYC/AML procedures Required
- A compliance framework covering data protection and consumer protection regulations Required
- A well-defined operational structure — customer service, risk management, data protection Required
- Realistic financial projections for the first few years of operation Required
Steps to obtain the license
Determine which license type you need
Banking, EMI, PI, or another license type, depending on your services.
Establish your legal entity
Register the appropriate company structure and complete standard formation steps.
Prepare your documentation
Business plan, KYC/AML policies, compliance framework, key-personnel background, and financial projections.
Open a business bank account
To manage your operations and hold the required capital.
Submit your application
To the relevant financial regulator, with all documentation and the application fee.
Await review and obtain your license
Background checks and compliance assessment; once approved, maintain ongoing regulatory reporting and KYC/AML compliance.
Common questions
Which license type do I actually need?
It depends on your services — a Banking License for deposit-taking, an EMI license for issuing electronic money, or a PI license for payment processing without issuing e-money. We confirm which applies to your specific business model.
How long does the review process take?
This varies by regulator and application completeness — we confirm current timelines for your specific case rather than quoting a generic figure.
What ongoing obligations apply after licensing?
Regular reporting to the regulator, continuous KYC/AML compliance, and periodic audits of your internal policies and procedures.
Ready to apply for a fintech license in Switzerland?
BIZ TRP confirms which license type your business actually needs and the real capital requirement before you commit to anything.
Talk to us about Switzerland fintech licensing Email us