How Much Does a Czech Crypto License Cost in 2026?

Crypto
Andrej Murincev
Andrej Murincev
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Founder & Managing Director
CASP & EMI Licensing Expert
Jan 2, 2026
12 min read
Cost structure of a Czech crypto license in 2026 under MiCA, including CASP authorisation, AML implementation, MLRO appointment, licensing support, and ongoing compliance.

How much does it actually cost to obtain CASP authorisation in the Czech Republic in 2026? The cost of a Czech crypto license includes more than application preparation. The overall budget covers licensing support, the ČNB fee, MiCA prudential safeguards and the costs of setting up and operating the company.

At AMS, full support costs €34,000–€54,000: €4,000 for due diligence and €30,000–€50,000 for application preparation and communication with the regulator. Below, we break down the main cost items, including those that are often left out of provider quotes.

Czech Crypto License Cost in 2026

The table below shows AMS fees and the main additional costs associated with CASP licensing in the Czech Republic. We then explain each item separately and clarify what is an actual expense and what is a regulatory requirement.

Budget itemCost / amountWhat is included
AMS due diligence€4,000Review of the business, directors and shareholders, gap analysis, action plan and final cost estimate
Application preparation and AMS support€30,000–€50,000Full documentation, financial projections, ICT/DORA, application filing and communication with the regulator
ČNB application feeCZK 20,000 (approx. €800)Administrative fee payable upon filing
Prudential safeguards€50,000–€150,000Amount depends on the CASP class; may consist of own funds, insurance or a combination of both
Company registration through AMS, if required€1,200New s.r.o.; state and notarial fees included
Bank or EMI account openingOn requestNot required if suitable accounts are already in place
Office and key personnelOn requestDepends on the location and size of the office, as well as the composition and qualifications of the team
Ready-made company with CASP authorisationPrice on request, subject to availabilityDepends on the class, company history and scope of AML work required

Get a Cost Estimate for Your CASP Project

We calculate the budget before licensing begins: CASP class, scope of work, regulatory requirements and related costs.

What Is Included in AMS Fees

Our support consists of two stages: first, we assess the readiness of the business and determine what needs to be done; then we prepare the documentation and support the application throughout the review process. The total cost is €34,000–€54,000. The exact scope of work and final estimate are agreed after due diligence.

Due Diligence

AMS due diligence helps determine how ready your business is for CASP authorisation under MiCA, what issues may arise during the application review and what resources will be required for preparation. We analyse the business model, company structure, directors and shareholders, processes and existing documentation.

Cost: €4,000

The result is a detailed written report identifying gaps and risks, providing recommendations and a prioritised action plan, together with a cost estimate and indicative timeline. You will understand which parts of your existing preparation can be used, what needs to be improved and which decisions need to be made before filing the application. This helps you plan the budget in advance and reduce the risk of additional costs caused by subsequent rework.

Due diligence can be ordered as a standalone service for an in-depth assessment of the project before deciding whether to apply, or completed as the first stage of full AMS support.

Application Preparation and Support

After due diligence, we prepare the full set of documentation for the agreed business model and support the application throughout its review by ČNB.

Cost: €30,000–€50,000

The fee includes:

  • Drafting policies, procedures and documents relating to corporate governance and internal controls.
  • Preparation of the programme of operations, financial projections and stress scenarios.
  • Preparation of ICT and DORA documentation, including descriptions of the required controls and scenarios.
  • Development of AML/CFT policies and procedures based on your clients, products and fund flows.
  • Preparation and filing of the application with the required supporting documents under Article 62 of MiCA.
  • Communication with ČNB, including preparation of responses to requests, clarifications, supplementary information and necessary amendments.
  • Joint review of documents with your team and discussion of issues arising during preparation.
  • Preparation of documentation in Czech with no separate translation fee; for review purposes, we can provide machine translations into English or another required language.

You receive a complete set of documents prepared for your business, with explanations for your team and support after filing. We use the information you provide and work with you on the business plan and financial assumptions.

Why does the price vary? The €30,000–€50,000 range depends primarily on the CASP class and the complexity of the business.

  • For Class 1, the volume of documentation is generally lower.
  • For Class 2, additional requirements apply to crypto-asset exchange and, where the company provides custody services, to the protection of client assets, wallet architecture and key management.
  • For Class 3, additional work is required on the trading platform, asset admission rules, market abuse controls and operational resilience.

The scope of work is also affected by the number of services, ownership structure, complexity of fiat and crypto-asset flows, technical infrastructure and the readiness of existing documentation. As a result, even two projects within the same class can differ significantly in scope. We determine the final price after due diligence based on the actual scope of work, not only on the CASP class.

Start with a Free Consultation

We will discuss your business model, likely CASP class and key risks to understand whether Czech authorisation is suitable for your objectives. For a detailed assessment, you can separately order due diligence for €4,000 and receive a written report, action plan and cost estimate.

ČNB Administrative Fee

When filing an application for CASP authorisation with the Czech National Bank (ČNB), an administrative fee of CZK 20,000 is payable — approximately €800, depending on the exchange rate.

Prudential Safeguards

In addition to licensing costs, a CASP must ensure the financial resilience of the business. MiCA sets minimum amounts depending on the services provided:

  • Class 1 — €50,000: reception, transmission and execution of client orders, placing of crypto-assets, advice, portfolio management and transfers of crypto-assets on behalf of clients.
  • Class 2 — €125,000: custody and administration of client crypto-assets, exchange of crypto-assets for funds or other crypto-assets. It may also include Class 1 services.
  • Class 3 — €150,000: operation of a trading platform for crypto-assets. It may also include Class 1 and Class 2 services.

These thresholds are set out in Annex IV to MiCA. The specific range of permitted services is determined by the company’s authorisation.

The actual amount may be higher than the minimum for the relevant class. Under Article 67 of MiCA, a company must maintain the higher of two amounts: the minimum for its class or one quarter of its annual fixed overheads. For a new business, projected expenses for the first 12 months stated in the application are used.

The requirement may be met through own funds, an insurance policy or comparable guarantee meeting the applicable requirements, or a combination of these. Own funds are not transferred to the regulator and are not a license fee, but the required level must be maintained continuously. Where insurance is used, the insurance premium is an actual expense.

As part of due diligence, AMS assesses the required amount and the most appropriate way to meet this requirement for your business model.

Company Registration

For a CASP project, you can establish a new Czech s.r.o. or acquire a ready-made company. Registration of a new company costs €1,200, including state and notarial fees.

It is important to align the ownership structure, disclosure of beneficial owners and management powers with the future business model and licensing requirements from the outset. This helps avoid a situation in which the company has already been incorporated but its structure and documents need to be changed before the application can be filed.

If you already have a company, AMS assesses during due diligence whether it is suitable for the project and what changes are required.

Opening a Bank or EMI Account

An account is required for the company’s ongoing operations and may also be used to demonstrate the availability of capital for licensing purposes. As ČNB explains, where prudential requirements are met through capital, compliance must already be demonstrated on the date the application is filed. For existing companies, this is evidenced by audited financial statements; for companies in the process of incorporation, by a statement from a credit institution confirming that the funds are held in the applicant’s account.

An EMI may be suitable for operational payments. For client funds falling under Article 70 of MiCA, a separately identifiable account with a credit institution or central bank is required.

Not all banks are willing to work with crypto businesses. Higher AML risks mean that banks conduct detailed checks on owners, source of funds, the business model and transactions. Onboarding may take several months and delay the filing of the application, so bank selection and document preparation should begin early.

AMS helps identify a suitable bank or EMI, prepare the required documents and respond to additional requests. If the necessary accounts are already open and suitable for the project, new accounts are not required.

Office and Key Personnel

For CASP authorisation in the Czech Republic, the company must establish a genuine presence in the country and provide a physical address in the application. The regulator also assesses where the company is effectively managed and whether management is readily available to the regulator.

Office costs can vary significantly depending on location, size, number of workstations and the standard of the premises. For crypto businesses, finding suitable premises can sometimes take longer because not all landlords are willing to work with such companies.

The key team should also be formed in advance. Finding directors and specialists with the required experience and qualifications, particularly for senior positions, can take time. For CASPs, it is important that management is accessible to the regulator and genuinely involved in running the company.

AMS helps find office premises suitable for the project and works with vetted providers and landlords. Our team also assists with recruiting key personnel. Where required, AMS can also provide outsourced AML support and help structure the AML Officer / MLRO model in line with the requirements of the specific company.

Ready-Made Company with CASP Authorisation

Acquiring a ready-made company with existing CASP authorisation allows you to avoid going through the licensing process from scratch and shorten the business launch timeline.

The price is determined individually and depends on the availability of a suitable company, its authorisation class, its history and the amount of work required to adapt the AML framework to your business model.

Such companies rarely become available on the market, so there is no fixed price list. The price largely reflects the opportunity to enter the market more quickly.

At the same time, acquiring a ready-made CASP company does not exempt you from regulatory requirements. Changes to the ownership and management structure may require notification to or approval from ČNB, and the existing authorisation must cover the services you intend to provide.

How Much Does It Cost to Maintain a CASP License?

A crypto company must continuously maintain its AML function, regulatory and tax reporting, operational presence and internal processes.

There is no single monthly amount: some functions may be performed in-house, while others may be outsourced. The main ongoing costs typically include:

  • Accounting and tax reporting — the cost depends on the number of transactions, employees and complexity of accounting.
  • AML Officer / MLRO — an in-house specialist or outsourced support, where the selected model allows it.
  • Regulatory AML reporting — case analysis, preparation and filing of SAR/STR reports and communication with the FIU.
  • Annual audit and reporting to ČNB — the scope depends on the company’s activities and structure.
  • AML training for employees — regular training for staff and management.
  • Office and local presence — costs depend on location, size and team size.
  • Key personnel — directors, compliance and AML specialists; costs depend on the role, experience and type of engagement.
  • Technology — KYC/KYB, transaction monitoring, blockchain analytics, case management and custody infrastructure.
  • Updates to policies and procedures — when the business model, products, governance structure or regulatory requirements change.

The actual budget depends on the scale of the business and the chosen operating model. The more functions the company keeps in-house, the higher the staffing costs; with outsourcing, part of the fixed costs is replaced by the cost of external support.

Czech Republic or Another EU Jurisdiction?

It does not always make sense to choose a country based solely on licensing costs. We compare the requirements, regulatory practice and operating conditions and help determine where launching your CASP is most practical.

How to Choose a Provider for CASP Authorisation

When choosing a licensing provider, price should not be the only consideration. A CASP application file must reflect the actual business: its services, structure, financial model, AML/CFT, ICT and internal processes. Cutting corners on preparation can end up costing far more if documents have to be rewritten or rebuilt after questions from the regulator.

If an offer is significantly cheaper than the market, check carefully what is actually included. Clarify whether the price is fixed in advance or depends on hours worked, whether documents are prepared specifically for your business or adapted from templates, and whether Czech translation, responses to ČNB requests and subsequent amendments are included.

AI tools can be used as part of the work, but automatically generated policies alone do not replace proper regulatory preparation. The documents must reflect the company’s actual business model and be consistent with one another.

Before starting the project, it is important to understand who exactly will handle your application. Speak with the project manager in person or online, ask about their experience and make sure they are genuinely involved in document preparation and communication with the regulator. We have seen cases where clients had to rebuild their application files after receiving generic or automatically generated materials.

It also matters whether the provider can help with more than the application itself. After authorisation, the company may need AML support, accounting, regulatory reporting, office and banking infrastructure and recruitment of key personnel.

How to Plan Your Licensing Budget

It helps to split the budget into three parts:

  1. Application preparation and filing — due diligence, preparation of documentation, support during the ČNB review and the administrative fee.
  2. Company and infrastructure requirements — prudential safeguards, company registration, bank account, office and key personnel.
  3. Post-authorisation costs — accounting, AML function, regulatory reporting, audit, personnel and required technology.

The budget should be planned not only up to the point of obtaining the license but also for the first months of CASP operations. This allows you to account in advance for team, office, AML, accounting and infrastructure costs.

Need an exact estimate for your business model?

Start with a free consultation. If the project is suitable for licensing, the next step is due diligence, after which we prepare a detailed cost estimate.

FAQ: Czech Crypto License Cost

How Much Does a Czech CASP License Cost?

Full AMS support costs €34,000–€54,000: €4,000 for due diligence and €30,000–€50,000 for application preparation and support during the ČNB review. The ČNB fee, prudential safeguards and, where required, company registration, office, bank accounts and personnel are budgeted separately.

Can I Order Due Diligence Only?

Yes. Due diligence can be ordered as a standalone service for €4,000. You receive a written report, gap analysis, recommendations, action plan and preliminary cost estimate, after which you can decide whether to proceed with licensing.

How Much Is the ČNB Fee?

The application review fee is CZK 20,000 and is payable to the Czech National Bank (ČNB) when the application is filed.

Why Does Application Preparation Cost €30,000–€50,000?

The cost depends on the CASP class and the complexity of the business. The scope of work is affected by the range of services, company structure, fiat and crypto-asset flows, ICT infrastructure, AML/CFT and the condition of the existing documentation. Therefore, even projects within the same class can differ significantly in scope.

Is Preparation of Documents in Czech Included?

Yes. Documentation in Czech within the agreed project scope is included in the price. For review purposes, we can also provide machine translations into English or another required language.

Are Responses to ČNB Requests After Filing Included?

Yes. Responses, clarifications, supplementary information and necessary amendments relating to the agreed application are included throughout the review process. If the business model itself changes or the scope of the project is materially expanded, additional work is agreed separately.

Can AMS Prepare Only the Missing Policies or Documents?

Yes. Individual workstreams can be ordered based on an agreed scope. However, without due diligence, AMS cannot confirm the completeness of the entire application file or take responsibility for documents prepared by another provider.

How Much Does It Cost to Maintain a CASP License After Authorisation?

There is no single fixed amount. Costs depend on the size of the company and its operating model: in-house staff or outsourcing, accounting, AML function, regulatory reporting, audit, office, personnel and required technology.

Do Prudential Safeguards Need to Be in Place Before Filing the Application?

Yes. If the requirements are met through own funds, their availability must be demonstrated at the time the application is filed. The amount depends on the CASP class and may be €50,000, €125,000 or €150,000.

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