EU Payment Institution
Cost
Application €5,000-€20,000 + setup
Timeline
9-15 months
Capital
€20,000 (account information only) | €50,000 (payment initiation) | €125,000 (merchant acquirer / remittance)
Payment Institution under PSD2 regulated by National Competent Authority.
Who it suits
Payment service providers offering account-information services, payment initiation, money remittance, or merchant acquiring. PI is to merchant-acquiring what EMI is to e-money.
Compliance load
PSD2 framework, SCA enforcement, strong-customer-authentication compliance, AML/CTF, fund-safeguarding.
The acquiring angle
PI authorization is the foundation for licensed merchant acquirers and PSPs. EU passporting enables cross-border operations. Pricing competitive at IC++ level.
Notes and pitfalls
Capital requirement scales fast based on permitted activities. Operators who underestimate compliance load delay launch significantly.
Reference information, not legal advice. Figures are typical ranges as of 2026.
EU PI questions.
How do acquirers view the EU PI licence?
Acquirer acceptance is Broad. PI authorization is the foundation for licensed merchant acquirers and PSPs. EU passporting enables cross-border operations. Pricing competitive at IC++ level.
What does the EU PI cost and how long does it take?
Cost: Application €5,000-€20,000 + setup. Timeline: 9-15 months. Capital: €20,000 (account information only) | €50,000 (payment initiation) | €125,000 (merchant acquirer / remittance). These are typical ranges as of 2026; verify with the regulator before budgeting.
Does BZNpay help with EU PI 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.