EU Electronic Money Institution
Cost
Application €5,000-€20,000 + setup costs €100,000+ depending on member state
Timeline
9-15 months
Capital
€350,000 minimum
Electronic Money Institution regulated by National Competent Authority (varies by member state).
Who it suits
Operators issuing e-money, prepaid cards, digital wallets, or stored-value products. Required for any business holding customer funds in e-money form.
Compliance load
PSD2 + EMD2 (Electronic Money Directive 2), strict safeguarding of client funds, AML/CTF, governance and prudential rules.
The acquiring angle
EMI authorization opens broad acquirer relationships across EU and globally. EU passporting allows operations across all 27 member states. Pricing competitive.
Notes and pitfalls
Lithuania and Malta have become popular EMI hubs due to faster regulator turnaround; UK and Germany are slowest.
Reference information, not legal advice. Figures are typical ranges as of 2026.
EU EMI questions.
How do acquirers view the EU EMI licence?
Acquirer acceptance is Broad. EMI authorization opens broad acquirer relationships across EU and globally. EU passporting allows operations across all 27 member states. Pricing competitive.
What does the EU EMI cost and how long does it take?
Cost: Application €5,000-€20,000 + setup costs €100,000+ depending on member state. Timeline: 9-15 months. Capital: €350,000 minimum. These are typical ranges as of 2026; verify with the regulator before budgeting.
Does BZNpay help with EU EMI 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.