AMF Investment Firm Licence
Cost
Substantial, comparable to BaFin
Timeline
6-12 months
Capital
€125,000-€730,000+ depending on activity
Investment services regulated by Autorité des Marchés Financiers.
Who it suits
Forex, CFD, and investment firms serving French retail clients.
Compliance load
MiFID II + ACPR oversight, French consumer-protection rules, mandatory ad disclosures.
The acquiring angle
France was an early advocate of MiFID II ESMA leverage caps; retail forex margin tighter than in offshore tiers. EU passporting accepted by tier-one acquirers.
Notes and pitfalls
French retail forex advertising rules are strict. Operators often license in Cyprus and passport.
Reference information, not legal advice. Figures are typical ranges as of 2026.
AMF questions.
How do acquirers view the AMF licence?
Acquirer acceptance is Moderate. France was an early advocate of MiFID II ESMA leverage caps; retail forex margin tighter than in offshore tiers. EU passporting accepted by tier-one acquirers.
What does the AMF cost and how long does it take?
Cost: Substantial, comparable to BaFin. Timeline: 6-12 months. Capital: €125,000-€730,000+ depending on activity. These are typical ranges as of 2026; verify with the regulator before budgeting.
Does BZNpay help with AMF applications?
No. We are an introducer to acquirers, not a licensing agent. We can tell you how this licence plays with the acquirer pool and introduce you to the partners whose appetite covers it.